Taiko Sasaki of 7 MEN Samurai Stars in Japan Premiere of GYPSY

Taiko Sasaki of 7 MEN Samurai dances his way into hearts at the Japan premiere of Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim's musical fable "GYPSY!"

About the Show

With music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by Arthur Laurents, GYPSY has become one of the most beloved musicals of all time since its 1959 Broadway debut. Set in the 1920s and 1930s, the show is based on the memoirs of dancer Gypsy Rose Lee and focuses on Lee's mother, Rose, who became the very definition of (and possibly even the inspiration for) the term "Stage Mom."

In the musical's first-ever Japan run, Sasaki plays Tulsa, the talented dancer who becomes smitten with Lee's elder sister June. Handsome and sweet, the good-natured young man manages to charm her away from her mother's controlling influence, and the two eventually elope. Only then does Rose turn her claws towards her more reserved daughter Louise.

Having opened April 9th at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Playhouse, GYPSY will run through April 30th before continuing on to Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.

Statement from Taiko Sasaki (7 MEN Samurai)

"The opportunity to portray Tulsa on stage is a dream come true! I am so excited, but also very nervous. The show is such a beloved piece of musical theatre history, and though I've never experienced a production like this before I am doing my best and worked harder than ever during rehearsals. We all did, and we will do our best to capture that wonderful razzle dazzle charm synonymous with "GYPSY!" I can't wait to see everyone!"