I am thinking about getting tickets for this. Chicago is one of my favorite shows and I am curious. I have never visited Japan so am unfamiliar with this troupe. The show will play in July at the Koch Theater as part of Lincoln Center Festival. Anyone familiar with Takarazuka? Thoughts?
Would love to see this, but sadly no holiday plans for New York this year
Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist.
Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino.
This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more.
Tazber's: Reply to
Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian
Takarazuka are a hell of an experience, and if you can get a ticket, go. Just be aware that it will not look, sound, or be acted anything like you'd expect.
I wonder if they'll be performing it in Japanese or English in NYC?
The thing is, besides being an utter toad of a human being, Riedel usually has the least knowledge of the topic in the room. He doesn't usually understand the content or approach of a show, and is always completely and unfailingly socially ignorant, which makes it really infuriating when Susan can't get a word in edgewise. A definitive mansplainer; it's always painful when he has female guests. I watch the show sporadically when I really want to see a guest, because it's the only theatre talkshow we have, but it would be so much better without this hateful clown in a dadcoat. (thanks ScaryWarhol)
Perhaps someone will mount an all-male production at some point?
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
Takarazuka has an unique culture and definitely has a long history (100+ years) of producing all female shows. In order to be on the stage of Takarazuka, you have to apply and take an entrance exam for two year Takarazuka music school, no exception.
Those actresses who will come to NY for Chicago, they "graduated" from Takarazuka and now perform on other stages. You can see a video clip of their Chicago. BTW Youka Wao is a wife of Frank Wildhorn.
exedore said: "Takarazuka are a hell of an experience, and if you can get a ticket, go. Just be aware that it will not look, sound, or be acted anything like you'd expect."
Well, the clips sure don't make it look or sound any different than what is on stage at the Ambassador Theatre (excepting actresses playing men, of course).
Those Takarazuka fans are so dedicated, it's like Redsocks fans. They travel EVERYWHERE for their performers, so I won't be surprised that the tickets will be sold out quickly. Yes they'll come from Japan and possibly see all the performances (seven?) once they get here. So to experience one of Japanese cultural phenomenons without traveling there, you should get a ticket once it's on sale.