Bow Singing Workshop - Cosmos | 6.3.2016 | ACT I
I was lucky enough to get a ticket to see Bow Singing Workshop - Cosmos today. It was amazing, and one of the favorite things I have seen since I moved here in 2012. Since they announced this show I wonder how it was going to work, because in Takarazuka singing isn’t necessarily an emphasized skill. I say that with all the love and affection in the world for Takarazuka.I walked out of this show bowled over by how amazing it was. We all know I have a (well earned) reputation for being a hard ass when it comes to Takarazuka. This show I walked out of thinking, there is nothing I would change in that production, there wasn’t one bad piece. That were weaker pieces, but not bad pieces.
This show was rather simply costumed, very classic. The otokoyaku wore tuxes, and the musumeyaku wore the beautiful long gowns in purple. Every single member of the cast matched. There were no costume changes, merely wig changes in the case of musumeyaku.
Following the opening number there were solos, followed by another group number and another solo. The seito themselves had a choice in what they sang, which led to a supriginly diverse line-up.
Act I started with the entire cast singing Seasons of Love from RENT, which after “525 thousand 600 minutes” went to Japanese. This show is always such a sucker punch in the feels, and this one sounded amazing. The harmonizing guys, the harmonizing. After the song they introduced the cast. They tried really hard to keep this from seeing to be led by any one specific member.
Seasons of Love was followed by Kazuki Sora singing “I am Music” from the musical Mozart. This was the perfect piece of follow seasons of love. For me this was the perfect follow up song because I absolutely adore this song. I haven’t seen Mozart live yet, but this song haunts me.Sora nailed every single one of these notes, and poured so much emotion into it that I started crying again.
The lights fade and next is Setohana Mari singing 「命をあげよう」or “I’d Give My Life For You” from Miss Saigon. I am not familiar with this musical but I really like this song. Setohohana Mari is one of those actresses that I always recognize on stage by her tone rather than her face, which is rarity for me. Normally once I place a face, the voice is secondary. For her it’s always her tone. It’s unique, even when speaking. Most recently she played the first girlfriend in Meloncholic Gigalo. Have a wonderful rendition of this song complements of Toho’s 2014 production.
Following that is Takato Chiaki singing Stars from Le Mis. This was an impressive choice, and she did a solid job. I don’t think I’ve ever heard her sing, let alone try something so large. It was a good number.
Haruha Rara sang “I Could Have Danced All Night” from My Fair Lady. It was cute, it was fun, it was perfectly within comfort range of all the musumeyaku in the cast and especially Rara.
Rukaze Hikaru sang Where in The World from Phantom. Which is no surprise to anyone who knows anything about this child. She loves Phantom, and everyone knew right away that her list of songs given to the director would have more than a few Phantom songs on it. Moeko is a powerhouse, I just wish she would gain the confidence to start selling herself more. She’s in a stacked deck in cosmos right now, and she’s going to knock out some other amazingly talented vocalist if she wants to be in the running for top star. I’m not so low key rooting for her.
Following Moeko was another group number, “It’s all right with me” from “This is Takarazuka”.
After that Manase Mira sang “Never Say Goodbye” from Never Say Goodbye. It was a rocky start for Manase, however halfway through she shook her nerves and really impressed me. She no doubt gained more than a few fans after showcasing how she can both work the stage merely by standing on it and singing. Mark my words, we are going to want to watch this child, especially if she can get her nerves under control. [youtube]
After that Koharuno Sayo sang “The Truth of Love” from Never Say Goodbye. Sayo reminds me so much of Nanase Ririko. They both are a touch on the derpy side but have AMAZING voices.
Hoshikaze Madoka sang “My Vampire” from Seal of Roses. I thought this was a surprising choice for her, given that she is such a powerhouse. However it was a fetching rendition, and I look forward to sharing it all with you on many opporuntities once this show airs on skystage.
Kihou Kanata sang The Arbiter from CHESS.
Hanaki Maia and Sumikaze Nagi sang “Yume Amour” from Citrus Kaze. Maia and Nagi were surprisingly well matched in this duet and they both are so adorable. Maia has these killer dimples, which make her as cute as Nagi who I don’t think will ever grow out of being anything other than adorable. She reminds me of Mishiro Ren, both in face and in stature.
Rui Makise then came on and sang a drop dead rendition of Nessu Dorma from Turandot. When this child makes a comeback she makes a comeback. This was about the third time I started crying since the show opened. I’m not ashamed of it. This show was everything I wanted and needed in my life. Every once in awhile a show like this comes along, and it hits you right in the feels and reminds you why you love Takarazuka. Right during Tomu’s retirement it was People Who Have Wings, and after the hellish month that was May for me, this show was it. The rest of the cast provided an amazing solo chorus for this number.
Reimi Urara sang 瑠璃色の地球, which translates as Bright Blue, Color of the Earth. I’d never heard it before, this link is better than what Urara provided. That being said, her rendition wasn’t by any measure painful. This was a lot more comfortable of a song than a lot she has been singing.
Ayaka Mari sang “Let Me Be Your Star” from the American TV show SMASH. Here is the version from the TV show. This was especially translated by the director for the show, I didn’t particularly love the translation. I know the English version by heart, and I think she director lost some of. Mari did a wonderful job despite not having the full range to belt some of these notes. We can’t all be Meagan Hilty, it’s okay.
Mitsuki Haruka followed it with “In Casablanca’s Foggy Night” from Casablanca. If I’m honest with you, Sao was probably one of the weakest singers in this show, however this wasn’t a bad reniditon of this song in the least. Which is saying something, because she was trying to live up to Yuuhi in one of my favorite roles of Yuuhi’s career. She was nervous, but she pulled it off *thumbs up*
The final song of Act I was Sakuragi Minato singing “This is the Moment” from Jekyll and Hyde. It is the first song in this digest.
Zun absolutely belted those notes and it earned the crazy applause it got as the curtain went down. Zun just continues to get better and better, how long until Hankyu steals her and puts her into a troupe I don't care about.