In this feature, performers recommend shows to fit a particular mood. The May 2022 column featured Nagina Ruumi, Towaki Sea, Ayaki Hikari, and Ayami Sera.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the nature of the feature it can contain major spoilers.
the REVUE THEATRE
Stars present the perfect show for every moment!
Nagina Ruumi, Senka
When you just want to soak in Takarazuka…
The Rose of Versailles
When I just want to soak in Takarazuka and go back to my beginnings, I go back and back and in the end it’s got to be the classic. There are so many versions and I like them all but the one I like most among them is the joint Snow and Star Troupe version, where Mori Keaki and Ichiro Maki played Andre and Oscar, and Shime (Shion Yuu) and Nishina Yuri played Fersen and Marie Antoinette. The pale blue costumes Shime and Nishina wore in their finale duet are so beautiful, and the music! The dance! Even though theyre in such soft blue it’s so passionate, I just can’t deal with the intensity and passion of that era of Takarazuka.
Sea Towaki, Flower Troupe
When you want to cry over a grand romance…
People who Have Wings
I was totally absorbed when I watched the video, and ever since then the story has been carved into my heart and it’s one of my most loved shows. In the second half of the show, the scene where Schumann, played by Ozuki Tooma, is on his deathbed had me sobbing… Brahms, played by Aasaka Manato, is so frank and wonderful. There’s so much love in the relationship between Brahms and Schumann, even when it turns into a love triangle wth Clara Schumann, played by Reimi Urara, and even though it’s tragic and painful it’s so warm. The fleeting life of an artist, the great barrier of music, conflicts with others…I think it was the perfect material for Takarazuka.
Ayaki Hikari, Star Troupe
If you want to pick a ‘fave’ from a bunch of unique characters…
ALL FOR ONE
I rewatched this recently while I was working my own character debelopment1. Tamaki (Ryou) is such a big-hearted protagonist, a strong person but still awkward when it comes to romance. Manaki (Reika) is a ‘King’ who is a mega pure-hearted maiden underneath. Miya (Rurika) is dripping with mature sexiness. Uzuki (Hayate) is clever and cool. Ari-chan (Akatsuki Chisei) is a jock. Reiko-san (Tsukishiro Kanato), who had just transferred troupes, is a villain. And not to mention Hiro-san (Itsuki Chihiro)…each and every one of them has their own appeal and gets my heart pounding. And then in the finale, everyone appears as their Takarasienne personas and puts their charisma on full blast! It’s a show you can dig into even on a second or third watch.
Ayami Sera, Moon Troupe
When you find yourself lacking confidence…
Higher Than the Sky of Paris
I love this show, and I used to watch it when I wanted to travel. It’s the story of the building of the Eiffel Tower, something that felt like an impossibly huge dream at the time, and I always find myself so moved by the way it comes true in the end thanks to so many people working together. If I find myself thinking ‘Can I do this?’ ‘Is this something someone like me is capable of?’, it will show me that nothing is impossible. It will naturally bring you into a great mood, too, so if you need some courage, or if you want ‘just one more push!’, I think it will give you a boost to get going. I also love the theme song, 🎵 Higher than the sky of Paris~ 🎵 and I used to sing it all the time.
1 – Going by when this is published, probably related to her casting in A Second Fortuitous Meeting Next Generation.