harusuzumi comments

@shallots For books about the Takarazuka Revue Company in English, you could for example try Makiko Yamanashis [A History of the Takarazuka Revue since 1914] (2012) or Leonie Sticklands [Gender Gymnastics; Performing and consuming Japan`s Takarazuka Revue.

Ive seen quite a few versions of Chicago, and in the Japanese performances of Chicago, especially the Takarazuka OG performances, some of the roles were performed in a very stereotypical way that was just not to my taste. Everyone has his/her preference of how they would like to see a role performed, but I would for example just much rather have Ruthie Henshal as Roxy than Asami Hikaru as I much preferred miss Henshals style of performing the role. But again, it`s just personal taste and even though I disliked the way some of the actresses performed their role, I liked others such as Shin Chiaki as Mama Morton very much indeed.

Oh, I do have to apologize for mis-remembering 1 thing, the performances by former members of the Takarazuka Revue Company I saw were in November 2014, not 2015.

This may spoil some of the fun, but its actually not a group of current Takarazuka members, but of women who have already left Takarazuka Revue Company. Many of them have also appeared in several musicals by for example the Toho Musical Company and TBS theatrical productions before doing the all (or should I say almost all) women performance of Chicago last year. I saw this production twice with all leading roles performed by different actresses each time, and it was quite interesting but not really my taste due to some of the actresses performing their parts in a much to stereotypical way in my opinion. For whos interested, please view one of the news articles about the New York performances in the Japanese media: http://ideanews.jp/archives/16414

http://www.theaterguide.co.jp/theater_news/2016/01/22_06.php

http://www.chunichi.co.jp/chuspo/article/entertainment/news/CK2016012202000151.html

Also, you can find the names and info on the performers on the Chicago homepage and as far as I could see, at least the women in the leading roles have all left the Takarazuka Revue Companu at least 5 years ago. I suggest checking the fact before copying a news article from another site.

BTW, they will also do a re-run in Yokohama (July 12-15), Tokyo (August 10-21) and Osaka (August 25-31)

Actually, it seems its no longer for sale ANYWHERE IN JAPAN. Of course its nice it was awarded this important price, but whats the use if you cant buy it anywhere.

Sounds fantastic, for people who can afford first class or business class. Any nice perks for us economy class travelers?

BurakuminDes: From about 1947 there actually was a class for boys/guys, but due to severe objections from fans, birls/women in the company and VIPs inside the management, they were not allowed to perform on stage at the official Takarazuka theatre. They did perform in othere theatres with either female company members of members from different theatrical companies. However, in around 1952 it was decided that is was not a success and the boys/guys were dismissed from the Takarazuka company. Now, sometimes star performers from the company, both male-role-performers and female-role-performers make guest appearances in other musicals or plays where they are on stage with guys as well, but I dont think it to be likely that a guys will make an appearance in a Takarazuka performance any time soon. The girls playing guys are to a certain point believable as guys exactly because therere no real guys with them on stage.

The TMA is actually not a school for girls who want to become musicians but for girls who want to become stage actresses. The reason they look alike is that they are wearing their graduation uniform (also the uniform they will be wearing on other official occasions and on the day they will leave the Takarazuka Company). As for the way they wear their hair, that is also appearantly quite strictly regulated, so no room for much variation. As for the we will never see these girls again: probably true for a lot of them if you don`t go to Takarazuka performances, but if they do become stars within the company, chances are you will see them in the music or theatre business after they leave the company. Think of Kuroki Hitomi, Daichi Mao, Amami Yuki, Suzukaze Mao and Ichiro Maki, just to name a few.