Takarazuka 2

These pages are dedicated to all international fans of the Takarazuka Revue and their Japanese supporters. These pages were also created to facilitate English-language research on The Takarazuka Revue Company.

Takarazuka Revue (2003-2004, 2006)

The following are Takarazuka Revue shows I've seen. Most of them were in Tokyo where I lived from 2003 to 2004. (Next to the troupe name, I typed in the name of the theater where I saw the production and the show dates for that particular theater.) One year was enough to see performances by all five Takarazuka Revue troupes. This page also includes two productions I saw in 2006, including the Fersen and Marie-Antoinette version of The Rose of Versailles. I missed the Oscar version by a week. Those productions commemorated the 250th anniversary of Marie-Antoinette's birthday.

For four lead otokoyaku and one lead musumeyaku, I either saw their last production or next-to-last production for the Takarazuka Revue. All of them had been members for 15 or more years before they retired from the theatre company.

I've excerpted the first paragraph of the synopsis for each Takarazuka Revue production from the program flyer. Sometimes the corporate translation is a little awkward (word choice, capitalization, etc.), but I left it alone so you could read it as I read it.

Theatre outsiders may miss a lot of the subtext which makes the Takarazuka Revue productions meaningful to its fans. Also, some may dwell so much on the novelty of a popular all-female theatre (albeit with patriarchal management and artistic control) that they are distracted from fully acknowledging the incredible panorama of talent, beauty, and romance. If you enjoy the all-male Kabuki, you may find the all-female Takarazuka Revue to be just as pleasurable.

*Text and images reproduced under "fair use" provision of U.S. copyright law, Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. § 107, for nonprofit educational purposes.

Tokyo Takarazuka Theater 2003 season flyer

Takarazuka Grand Theater 2004 season flyer

Tokyo Takarazuka Theater 2004 season flyer

MOON TROUPE, Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, June 27-August 3, 2003
New Musical: Señor Don Juan, Author/Director: Keiko Ueda
Takarazuka Dance Epic: Takarazuka's Floral Diary, Author/Director: Sumio Sakai

Excerpt from program flyer's synopsis:
Don Juan, a Milanese fashion brand, enjoys great popularity and women all over the world adore it. Granted that its elegant and sophisticated design wins the hearts of women, its success is primarily due to the attractiveness of its designer, Leo Visconti. He is of Italian noble blood and so gifted in art that while young he gained reputation and status. At the same time, he often offends because of his indiscreet way of womanizing.

Moon Troupe program flyer
with play synopsis and cast
in English on one side and
Japanese on the other side.

production flyer

lead otokoyaku Jun Shibuki as Leo Visconti,
top fashion designer in Milan;
lead musumeyaku Kurara Emi as Jill, a ballerina
of Belgian origin of a minor corps de ballet

FLOWER TROUPE, Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, August 8-September 14, 2003
Keicho Grand Roman: A Flute Named Wind: A tale at the turn of the 16th century into the 17th, Original Work: Keiichiro Ryu, Playwright/Director: Masazumi Tani
Grand Fantasy: A Revue Is Born: The company creates beautiful dreams, Original Work: Kohei Kobayashi, Author/Director: Akira Kusano

Excerpt from program flyer's synopsis:
In January of the year 1592 when Hideyoshi Toyotomi is still in power, the sixth son is born to Ieyasu Tokugawa who is ambitious for the rulership. The newborn's mother is Lady Chaa, Ieyasu's concubine. At first glance at his baby, Ieyasu thinks him to be evil-looking, and treats him coldly as if he is a devil's child. He finally finishes off the child by sending him out of the castle. This sixth son is named Tatsuchiyo for his childhood is fostered by Sankuro Hanai. Tasuchiyo grows up enjoying his boyhood with Mondonosho, Sankuro's son, without blaming his father for abandoning him as a devil's child. He undergoes his coming-of-age ceremony and changes his name to Tadateru. The times change and Tadateru's free and joyful days are put to an end.

Flower Troupe program flyer

production flyer

Yu Todoroki as Tadateru
Kazusanosuke Matsudaira,
1st shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa's 6th son
(her 1st performance as member
of elite senka group)

STAR TROUPE, Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, September 19-November 3, 2003
Grand Romance: A Song for Kingdoms: Based on the opera Aida (by Giuseppe Verdi), Playwright/Director: Shinji Kimura

Excerpt from program flyer's synopsis:
In ancient Egypt of 3500 years ago, Pharaoh, King of Egypt, is about to appoint a general of the Egyptian army to again fight Ethiopia. Radames, a young Egyptian warrior, hopes he will be chosen as commander-in-chief, envisioning the chance of returning in triumph and of asking for the hand of Aida with whom he is secretly in love. Aida, Princess of Ethiopia, saved from death by Radames during the preceding war was taken to Egypt as a captive and, since then, lives as a slave. She too is attracted to the young and brave Radames, although she knows well that he is a warrior of the enemy of her country.

Star Troupe program flyer

production flyer

lead otokoyaku Wataru Kozuki as Radames,
young officer of the Egyptian army;
lead musumeyaku Rei Dan as Amneris,
daughter of the king of Egypt;
lead crossover musumeyaku Kei Ran as Aida,
slave and Ethiopian princess

SNOW TROUPE, Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, November 8-December 23, 2003
Musical Play: Romance de Paris, Author/Director: Haruhiko Masatsuka
Revue Fantastique: Les Collages: An Arabesque of Sounds, Author/Director: Akio Miki

Excerpt from program flyer's synopsis:
In a nightclub named Club Arabesque in Paris, owner Vincent Chevalier takes out a letter.

In Club Arabesque, his father, Sylvain, who has stolen out of the hospital, comes up to see Vincent for the first time in many days. Sylvain has become the chairman of Aracato Oil Company upon retiring from the presidency. He leaves the business to Vincent's brother-in-law, Didier. Sylvain wishes that Vincent worked together with Didier in the business. However, Vincent has no intention to join Didier, instead preferring to lead an easier life as the owner of Club Arabesque. Sylvain looks very weak and causes anxiety to Vincent and Patricia. Patricia is Vincent's elder sister by a different mother.

Snow Troupe program flyer

production flyer

lead otokoyaku Hikaru Asami
as Vincent Chevalier,
owner of Club Arabesque;
lead musumeyaku Rira Maikaze as
Nadia Djamila, daughter of King Abbas

COSMOS TROUPE, Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, January 2-February 1, 2004
Musical Roman: Lightning In The Daytime, Author: Yukihiro Shibata, Director: Koichi Ogita
Romantic Revue: Temptation!: Seduction, Author/Director: Keiji Okada

Excerpt from program flyer's synopsis:
Early in the nineteenth century in Paris, an evening party is held at Martin's residence on rue de la Chaussée d'Antin. Galantine, the residence's owner and widow of Duke Martin, holds a salon which is a social gathering of notables such as famous nobles, artists and industrialists. At the party, a baron's second son Albert reunites with a count's daughter Viviane whom he has known since childhood. After the loss of her father and elder brother who had stood against the present government, she was exiled to England along with her mother. However, following the advice of her aunt Galantine, she returned to Paris several years later when the government's vengefulness against the opposition had subsided. Viviane and Albert are very delighted at their meeting again after a long interval and enthusiastically talk as if they were filling in the long blank of several years.

Cosmos Troupe program flyer

production flyer

lead otokoyaku Yoka Wao as
Albert de Clair, 2nd son of a baron;
lead musumeyaku Mari Hanafusa
as Viviane de Pauvert,
daughter of a count

MOON TROUPE, Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, February 6-March 21, 2004
Gothic Musical: The Seal of Roses: A Vampire's Requiem, Author/Director: Shuichiro Koike

Excerpt from program flyer's synopsis:
In the ruin of a monastery encircled by an arched walkway, prima donna Cassandra assigned the part of a beauty and musical star Clifford cast for Dracula are rehearsing "A Vampire's Requiem." This musical is one of the charity events to help raise funds for the reconstruction of the monastery in the Valley of Roses. Robert, producer of the events, Rilski, president of Balkan Airways sponsoring the play and Rilski's wife are watching the rehearsal. The actors are not able to harmonize successfully and part from one another in anger. Jennifer, a member of the Association of Historical Discoveries, arrives from London as everybody is leaving the site. Jennifer all alone lies on a couch and falls asleep. She goes through a short strange experience in her sleep. She sees the vampire Francis appearing amid rolling thunder. She is attracted to Francis although she is not sure if she is dreaming or not.

Moon Troupe program flyer

production flyer

lead otokoyaku Jun Shibuki as Francis de Blois,
a vampire (Prologue, Parts 1 and 2);
Marquis Aleskei Korsavsky (Part 3);
Andrew F. Jones (Part 4)
(retired from Takarazuka after this show)

lead musumeyaku Kurara Emi
as Jennifer McCartney (Prologue, Part 4),
Lydia (Part 1), Paula (Part 3)

FLOWER TROUPE, Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, March 26-May 2, 2004
Celebration Dance: Endless Flight, Author/Director/Lyricist: Shinji Ueda
Celebration Comedy: The Season of Angels, Author/Director: Shinji Ueda, Director: Kazunori Nakamura
Revue Special: Applause Takarazuka!: Golden 90, Authors/Directors: Akio Miki, Daisuke Fujii, Yoshimasa Saito

Excerpt from program flyer's synopsis:
The month of June is called "the season of angels" in Cannellonia. Its tradition says that many angels come down and play Cupid in this lovely season of tender sentiment.

One day in June of the year 2002, in the palace of a small European kingdom Cannellonia, a pompous banquet is about to start in celebration of the king's ninetieth birthday. Gustave and his friends Abertin and Georges are trying to enter the palace by mixing with the guests from various countries invited to the banquet. Gustave is still an unpopular artist who fell in love with the king's great granddaughter Margherita while she was studying in Paris. Some time ago, he learned that her engagement to Prince Assala of a Caribbean kingdom would be announced at the banquet.

Flower Troupe program flyer

production flyer

lead otokoyaku Sumire Haruno,
lead musumeyaku Miyo Fuzuki

SNOW TROUPE, Takarazuka Grand Theater, April 2-May 10, 2004, and Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, June 11-July 11, 2004 Poetic Drama: Susano-o: A Harbinger in the Beginning Times of Japan, Playwright/Director: Shinji Kimura Grand Revue: Takarazuka Glory!, Original Work: Kohei Kobayashi, Author/Director: Keiji Okada Excerpt from program flyer's synopsis: Tsukuyomi, a god ruling over night, sings for the sake of his beloved Yamato Kingdom which is now called Japan: Susano-o's acts of violence so enraged Amaterasu Omikami, his elder sister and a sun-goddess, that she confined herself in the Amanoiwaito rock cavern, whereupon light disappeared in the entire Yamato Kingdom. Susano-o thrown out from the plains of heaven down to the Yamato Kingdom deeply grieves that it is his entire fault. Ashinazuchi and his daughter Inadahime come up to Susano-o. They are being chased by a Yamato mob seeking victims. Tsukuyomi asks Susano-o whether he will let them die as victims before his very eyes. Tsukuyomi then hands him a sword which he claims is a gift to Susano-o from all the gods and goddesses. Susano-o cannot put up any longer watching the mob beating up Ashinazuchi and Inadadhime. He draws the sword and cuts his way into the mob.
Snow Troupe program flyer	production flyer	lead otokoyaku Hikaru Asami as Susano-o, hero of Kojiki;* lead musumeyaku Rira Maikaze as Inadahime, Ashinazuchi's daughter, a subject of the Yamato kingdom Trans. Record of Ancient Matters* (712 A.D.), 1 of 2 main sources of Japanese mythology.	Snow Troupe production flyer for Takarazuka Glory! (second half of show)

Star Troupe production flyer 1914/Love Takarazuka Grand Theater, February 20-March 28, 2004; Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, May 7-June 6, 2004 lead otokoyaku Wataru Kozuki, lead musumeyaku Rei Dan	Flower Troupe production flyer Java no Odoriko Theater location? TV? lead otokoyaku Sumire Haruno, lead musumeyaku Miyo Fuzuki	Cosmos Troupe production flyer Phantom Book by Arthur Kopit, music & lyrics by Maury Yeston, based on novel by Gaston Leroux Takarazuka Grand Theater, May 14-June, 21, 2004; Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, July 17-August 29, 2004 lead otokoyaku Yoka Wao, lead musumeyaku Mari Hanafusa
Salon de Takarazuka petit museum & stage studio flyer (2004) The salon is only at the Grand Theater site.	Salon de Takarazuka: Stage Studio brochure (inside)	Takarazuka Revue star calendar advertisement page (2004), from a 4-pg. circular also promoting desktop, personal, and stage calendars.

STAR TROUPE (Fersen & Marie-Antoinette version), Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, February 17-April 2, 2006 SNOW TROUPE (Oscar version), Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, April 7-May 21, 2006 The 250th Anniversary of Marie-Antoinette's Birthday Takarazuka Grand Roman: The Rose of Versailles: Fersen & Marie-Antoinette, adapted from Riyoko Ikeda's Berusaiyu no Bara (The Rose of Versailles), Playwright/Director: Shinji Ueda, Director: Masazumi Tani Excerpt from Star Troupe's Fersen & Marie-Antoinette version: In 1770, Princess Marie-Antoinette of the House of Hapsburg, youngest daughter of Empress Maria-Theresa of Austria, marries the French dauphin, Prince Louis (future Louis XVI) of the House of Bourbon. This is done to assure friendly relations between Austria and France. Anxious over some childishness still present in Marie-Antoinette, Empress Maria Theresa sends her confidant Count Mercy-Argenteau to France. His mission is to tutor Marie-Antoinette to grow up to be a beloved queen of the French people. Marie-Antoinette fascinates the French court with her beauty and sweetness in only a short time. However, just as Empress Maria-Theresa feared, she is too tender and indiscreet to notice the shrewdness of the courtiers trying to gain her favor for their own interests. Additionally, as Marie-Antoinette has a weakness for merriment and luxury, her free spending ways further help to empty the kingdom's coffers already almost exhausted during the late king's days. The ever-rising taxes bear harder upon the people who attribute the cause of their hardship to Marie-Antoinette, and they start to strongly hate her, rioting in various parts of France. Marie-Antoinette feels ill at ease and suffocated within the magnificent but very formal court in Versailles. She falls in love with Hans Axel von Fersen, a young Swedish Count studying in Paris, and finds consolation in him. It is a matter of course that their relationship will eventually result in putting the queen in a difficult situation. Excerpt from Snow Troupe's Oscar version: In 1755, a sixth daughter was born to the Jarjayes, a family whose head held the title of count. For generations, each head of the house of Jarjayes had served the French Royal Family as a royal guardsman. The general who had been wishing for a son and heir decides at last to bring up his youngest daughter as a boy and gives her a boy's name, Oscar, which means "God" and "spear" in Hebraic. André Grandier, a grandson of Oscar's wet nurse Marronglace, comes to the residence of the Jarjayes. The general allows the boy to live in his residence as he feels pity for him as he had lost his parents in childhood. André is Oscar's senior by one year and is raised as Oscar's playmate and her guard as well. Oscar and André grow up as if they are brothers in spite of their difference in birth.
Star Troupe program flyer	Star Troupe production flyer (Fersen & Marie-Antoinette version)	lead otokoyaku Wataru Kozuki as Hans Axel von Fersen, a Swedish count (retired from Takarazuka at end of 2006) lead musumeyaku Yuri Shirahane as Marie-Antoinette, Queen Consort of King Louis XVI of France Kei Aran as Oscar François de Jarjayes; André Grandier played by: Yo Tatsuki (Feb. 17-March 3, March 16-21), Reon Yuzuki (March 4-14, March 23-April 2)
Snow Troupe production flyer (Oscar version)	lead otokoyaku Hikaru Asami as Oscar François de Jarjayes, female captain of the royal guards in charge of the queen (retired from Takarazuka Revue at end of 2006) lead musumeyaku Rira Maikaze (as Rosalie, housekeeper of the Jarjayes) André Grandier, grandson of Oscar's wet nurse and Oscar's childhood friend, played by: Kei Takashiro (April 7-24), Kei Aran (April 25-May 5), Natsuki Mizu (May 6-21)		production flyer for both versions

COSMOS TROUPE, Takarazuka Grand Theater, March 24-May 8, 2006, and Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, May 26-July 2, 2006
Musical: Never Say Goodbye: The Footsteps of Lovers, Author/Director: Shuichiro Koike, Composer: Frank Wildhorn

Excerpt from program flyer's synopsis:
In the midst of the wilds of Catalonia, Spain, Peggy McGregor, who has come all the way from the United States of America, is looking for her grandfather's remains. She was told those remains had been buried under an olive tree.

Back in the year 1936 in Hollywood, at Club Coconut Grove where celebrities gather, there is an announcement about the production of a new film "A Tempest in Spain." Ellen Parker and the real and active matador Vincent Romero are to respectively play the parts of Carmen and Escamillo, in addition to other actors. Katherine McGregor, the film's original author, rushes into the club during the course of the announcement. She has learned that the film's scenario is quite different from her original work and demands suspension of the production. However, Mark, the film's producer ignores her. Her violent loss of temper throws the club into an uproar. Then flashlights shine and a man appears. he is the one and only Georges Malraux who won great fame for his collection of photographs of Parisian manners and customs. Katherine draws close to him and asks him to give her the film. However, he refuses to do so, driving her into a fury. Before leaving, she tells him that she will never say goodbye to him unless he gives her the film.

That same night, Katherine boldly calls on Georges' atelier in order to get the film. There she sees George's unpublished photographic works of art and takes interest in them as well as in Georges himself.

Cosmos Troupe program flyer

production flyer

lead otokoyaku Yoka Wao as Georges Malraux, photographer
(retired from Takarazuka after this show)

lead musumeyaku Mari Hanafusa as Katherine McGregor, playwright,
and Peggy McGregor, Katherine's granddaughter
(retired from Takarazuka after this show)