The musical “DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY” directed by Yamato Ikuta (Takarazuka Revue Company) and starring Nozomi Kotaki opens! Kyodo Medias Co., Ltd. Press release: September 28, 2024 Directed by Yamato Ikuta (Takarazuka Revue Company) and starring Nozomi Kotaki: Musical “DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY” begins!
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/12949/2773/12949-2773-6d754486ad64d029a45ce21c27f9e592-3900×2600.jpg
The musical “DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY” directed by Yamato Ikuta (Takarazuka Revue Company) and starring Nozomi Kotaki opens on Saturday, September 28th. On the 27th (Friday), a press conference was held for Gene Pro, where Nozomu Kotaki, Rio Yamashita, Sakura Misono, and embellisher/director Yamato Ikuta spoke about their enthusiasm for the opening day. Based on the play La morte in vacanza (1924) by Italian playwright Albert Casella, this play was adapted into English by Walter Ferris in 1929 as Death Takes A Holiday, and was written by Fredrick Casella in 1934. It was made into a movie starring March (Japanese title: Tomorrow’s Embrace), and was remade in 1998 as “Meet Joe Black” starring Brad Pitt. The off-Broadway musical version was created by Peter Stone (screenplay) and Maury Yeston (lyrics and music), who had achieved success with “TITANIC” (after Peter’s death in 2003, Thomas Meehan took over the writing duties). , which premiered off-Broadway from June to September 2011, and then ran off-West End at Charing Cross Theater from January to March 2017. In Japan, the Takarazuka version was performed in 2023 and became a big hit. This production will star Kotaki, who is not only active as a member of “WEST.” but also won the Haruko Sugimura Award at the 28th Yomiuri Theater Awards for her performance in the stage play “Elephant Man” in 2021. We welcome you and write a fantastic story. In this film, a lonely God of Death (Kotaki), who is tired of guiding dying souls, spends a two-day vacation with Duke Lamberti’s family. The songs were familiar to the ears, had beautiful melodies, and continued throughout the album, giving off a fantastical and mysterious atmosphere. The dance numbers that appear throughout are all gorgeous. In particular, the tap dance number performed by Prince Saki, played by Kotaki, is a sight to behold. This number, performed while looking at a vision of Paris, is a spectacular dance that uses the entire stage to make your heart flutter. The gorgeous costumes are also eye-catching. If you write that the Grim Reaper (as Saki) finds the “meaning of living” and “life” in his relationship with the Duke’s family, you might imagine a profound story, but this story has that theme firmly at its core. However, it ended up being a superb entertainment filled with romance and laughter. At an interview held after the production, Kotaki said, “It’s full of past memories,” but added, “Although it’s a fantasy, it’s a musical packed with charm.So it will be difficult to see this work through to the end.” However, I am confident that there will be a sense of accomplishment and something to gain, so I have once again strongly decided that I want to continue with this company until the end.” Yamashita, who plays the heroine Grazia with a double cast, said, “It’s been 10 years since I’ve done a musical, so I’m too busy to support Kotaki.The music for this work is very difficult, but that’s why it’s so beautiful.” It has a melody and I think it’s perfect for the story.I hope to get closer to music and have fun playing this role with this team.” Misono, who also played the role of Grazia, said, “It was my first time on stage in three years since I left the Takarazuka Revue, and I was nervous even before rehearsals started, and I still feel that nervousness.I don’t know what will happen. “I’m a little worried about myself, but Mr. Kotaki accepts this with open arms, which makes me feel at ease,” he said. This work was also performed by the Takarazuka Revue in 2023. When asked about the differences between the Takarazuka version and the Takarazuka version, Ikuta said, “I don’t think there’s a big difference in the essence.The entertainment or fantasy nature of this story, the romantic comedy elements, and the wonders of life.” The ultimate message remains the same, but in creating this version, I think it would be better to deepen the actors’ humanity as they rehearse, rather than focusing on the character traits of each role. I worked hard with this in mind,” he says. He then revealed, “In each room, a person named Saki learns about each element of his life.I created this book with the idea that I could carefully create each room’s expansion.” Regarding the tap dance, which is one of the highlights of this work, Kotaki said, “When I saw the video of the Takarazuka version, I knew that I would do it.When I watched it, I thought I might be able to do it.” But when I tried it, it was just so difficult. I despaired on the first day of tap practice,” he said with a wry smile. We started practicing in early July of this year. “I couldn’t get enough reps, but I practiced concentrating for about two hours at a time.At first, my legs hurt,” she says, adding, “With the help of the choreographers, I worked hard and had fun,” he said. At the end of the interview, Kotaki once again said, “It’s no exaggeration to say that the theme of this work is challenge.I’m trying so many different things.All the actors are struggling (to create).” However, the singing is also wonderful, and I think there are many wonderful songs that will make you immerse yourself in the sounds.Not only that, I think the tap music is a challenge and a highlight, but there are also many charming characters. It’s fun to listen to and watch with your eyes.The sets are gorgeous and the costumes are wonderful.I hope you can enjoy it with your whole body as you watch every detail.” The performance will be held at Tokyu Theater Orb from September 28th (Saturday) to October 20th (Sunday), and at the Umeda Arts Theater Main Hall from November 5th (Tuesday) to November 16th (Saturday). Don’t miss it.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/12949/2773/12949-2773-541d535f1ac62c49f75a0a05c4874187-1733×2600.jpg https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/12949/2773/12949-2773-201827290765b1a193841d75954dcc79-1733×2600.jpg https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/12949/2773/12949-2773-4a52dbe0b04df5af8d0e5f307703aadf-1733×2600.jpg (Text: Maki Shimada / Photography: Eri Iwata) Musical “DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY” Book by Thomas Meehan and Peter Stone Music and Lyrics by Maury Yeston Based on the dramatic play by Alberto Casella and rewritten for the American stage by Walter Ferris and originally produced by the Messrs. Shubert Cast Grim Reaper/Saki: Nozomi Kotaki Grazia (W cast): Rio Yamashita Sakura Misono Eric: Keisuke Higashi Collard: Daiki Naito Alice: Maho Minamoto Daisy: Ruki Saito Vittorio: Hiroshi Miyagawa Stephanie: Tsukikage Hitomi Dario: Ryosei Tayama Evangelina: Kino Hana Fidele: Yuya Miyashita Lorenzo / Flight instructor: Yutaka Saigo Ayaka Ito, Yako Inoue, Kei Oka, Emi Kanijo, Shun Kamijo, Saho Kumazawa, Mireiga Shinozaki Arisa Suzuki, Ikumi Takase, Senmei Nagasawa, Mayumi Niwa, Hiroshi Muto, Satoshi Yasui, Noka Yoshii (in alphabetical order) Swing: Yu Kimura Misa Murata Staff Screenplay Thomas Meehan/Peter Stone Lyrics and music: Maury Yeston Coloring and direction: Yamato Ikuta (Takarazuka Revue Company) Sponsor: Umeda Arts Theater/Tokyo Globe Theater Planning and production: Umeda Arts Theater Cooperation: Takarazuka Revue Company Performance schedule: September 28, 2024 (Saturday) to October 20, 2024 (Sunday) Tokyu Theater Orb November 5th (Tuesday) to November 16th (Saturday), 2024 Umeda Arts Theater Main Hall Tickets: S seat 15,000 yen, A seat 10,000 yen (all seats reserved, tax included) *Preschool children are not allowed to enter *Resale for profit is prohibited Contact: Umeda Arts Theater (10:00-18:00) [Tokyo
performance] 0570-077-039 / [Osaka performance] 06-6377-3800 Official homepage URL
https://www.umegei.com/deathtakesaholiday/ Advertisement: Kyodo Medias
