Rei Yuzuka shows her best smile in the dynamic group dance of Fred Astaire’s masterpiece “TOP HAT”, which she has longed for as a man.
Rei Yuzuka, the top star of the Takarazuka Revue Flower Troupe, wears black tailcoats naturally like a daily style and expresses the feelings that spring up in steps. As if Fred Astaire’s smartness called “God of Dance” has changed, her lively musical “TOP HAT” will be performed on March 21st at “Umeda Arts Theater Main Hall” (Kita-ku, Osaka). It started at.
Set in a Hollywood golden age movie, it premiered in the UK in 2011, won the Laurence Olivier Award, and premiered in Japan in 2015 in Cosmos Troupe. Not only the famous scenes that Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers carved on the screen with Irving Berlin’s inspirational music, but also the gorgeous numbers unique to the stage version with the addition of Berlin’s songs not found in the movie.
In this replay, in which Yoshimasa Saito, the scriptwriter and director, brought it closer to the original of the movie, the spirit and enthusiasm of “Dance Flower Troupe” and high-quality techniques were packed into the group dance of taps, and the eyes were nailed. became.
Broadway’s popular star Jerry, played by Yuzu, falls in love with fashion model Madoka Hoshikaze, who is staying at the same hotel. Dale is also attracted to him, but because she misunderstands her friend Madge (Kurisu Oto)’s husband, Horace (Maito Minami), she pokes his thoughts and causes a turmoil.
The depth of Jerry’s bosom, which appeals straight to her without being slapped by Dale, shows the fulfillment of Yuzu, who has continued her career as a man. A producer who is worried regarding Jerry, Maito Minami, who plays the role of her friend Horace, and Yuma Kizuki, who plays the role of Bates, who has a habit. Since these three people are in sync, the breath of the play is perfect, and the momentum of comedy is accelerating.
Hoshikaze has a fresh coquettish loveliness in the scene where Jerry is tempted to fake. In “CHEEK TO CHEEK,” where she dances gracefully with Jerry, she dresses in a pink-collar flower troupe and she shows a happy expression as if she were in heaven. .. It’s a fantastic scene where the emotions of the two are united with music and dance, and it’s forever memorable.
A bright comedy that is unique and entertaining, from managers to waiters to maids. Kurisu Oto, who played the matchmaker Mudge with excitement, and Mahiro Hozumi, the role of Italian designer Bedini, who has a feeling for Dale and invites laughter, are also impressive.
Applause rang on the first day, and the last was an all-standing ovation. Yuzu said, “It’s finally started!” And said, “I want to do my best with respect and responsibility so as not to spoil the name of Fred Astaire, who I can’t help but respect.” In addition, Mizumi and Terutsuki and three people were introduced by “Miracle 95th Trio” and Deputy Team Leader Wataru Hibiki, and the three people were smiling side by side.
The work is until April 6th. The performance at 16:30 on the 3rd will be live-viewed and live-streamed at the movie theater. For details, go to the official website.
Interview / text / Aki Onodera