Mahoroba/Magacian no Yuutsu review
So I saw this show once about a week ago. At the time I was really tired and honestly, probably over-hyped. I was also coming down with a cold. The result is that I didn't enjoy it very much, which was pretty disappointing since I'm such a big tsukigumi fan and had been looking forward to this so much.
I decided to give the show another chance. Well, not like I couldn't since I already had bought tickets, but you get the idea. I'm happy to say that while Mahoroba/Magician no Yuutsu is not my Favorite Show Ever, I had a much more positive experience.
Mahoroba:
So as I mentioned in another post, I ended up with B-seki when I thought I was going to get S. At the time I was somewhat pouty (I feel embarrassed in retrospect,
caithion -_-;), but this was probably a good thing because I was able to appreciate the choreography much more from a distance. (This is generally true of revues. If you're going to see a show multiple times, I recommend trying to see it once from the second floor).
Hmm...so what to make of this one. It does grow on me every time I see it, and having just watched a digest of it on Takarazuka Cafe Break it continues to do so.
There are parts that I really like, and then others that feel kind of flat to me. I might have to wait until I go to see the show again in a few weeks to give a final verdict. However, I think I'm in the minority on this one, since both
dusk_in_dendera and caithion really liked the entire thing. And to be honest, given how miserable I was feeling when I saw the show last week, I was extremely relieved that I was able to enjoy the show at all. If anything, this revue earns points for being different from the norm stylistically. Compared to some of the more crack-ish reviews out there, I'd say it was more artsy. But in a good way. I haven't seen Susano-o yet, but I've heard from other people that it's a similar style.
It's visually darn pretty. There's some really lovely choreography, so yay for Sha Tamae-sensei. The costumes are kind of your usual Takarazuka crack, but in a pretty way. The LED screen worked better in some places than others. Then again, considering that usually it's a disaster when it's used at all, I thought it was put to comparatively good use.
There's not a lot of solos for people besides Asako and Mihoko, but then again it is a shorter review. And while they didn't get solos, people like Kiriyan and Yuuhi did get to do some cool stuff in the group numbers (like shaking their butts in drag. That's your incentive to see this show). I thought Izumo Aya, Misa Noeru, and Ban Akira were put to decent use. Oh, and Eri plays the god of the sea and gets a small solo. This made my day.
So maybe not my favorite revue ever at this point, but it's growing on me. I think some of you may really fall in love with it.
Magician no Yuutsu:
As I write this, I realize that my comments have a common theme: not my favorite ever, but a definite step up from other recent tsukigumi Grand Theater shows (namely Jazzy Fairies and PariSora).
I think Magician no Yuutsu's biggest problem is that it doesn't figure out whether it wants a comedy or a murder mystery. Now, don't get me wrong, it still works pretty well as both, but due to this identity crisis I can't call it spectacular as a whole. (I still enjoy the majority of the Takarazuka I see these days, but I guess I have become more critical lately). In any case, it's still a DEFINITE step up from PariSora and Jazzy Fairies. Don't mean to sound too negative on this one -_-;
The score is catchy and fun, but doesn't allow for a lot of solos. (That's not necessarily a good or bad thing). The choreography isn't really standing out in my mind one way or another. Everyone is really well dressed in this show. Asako's magician costume in the opening number, the pink dress Mihoko wears that lets you see her shoulder blades, Eri's leather jacket... I also really liked the use of the velvet curtains in the set.
Sandor is a good role for Asako. Yes, it's what she usually does, but it allows her to do it well. The Sena Jun charm is definitely turned on in this one.
Poor Mihoko has not been treated very well in terms of the roles she's received as a top star in the past. Veronica isn't as complex as say, Elisabeth, but she's a more interesting character than the extremely bland Mimi in PariSora. Socially Awkward!Mihoko is adorable, and even more so together with Asako.
Of all Takarasiennes, I've probably seen Kiriyan the most (since she's my favorite, this isn't exactly an accident). The result is that I've started to get a little picky about which roles of hers are my absolute favorites, and honestly, this doesn't fall on that list. But it's not a bad role for her either. She has some really funny moments and a catchy song in the middle. Compared to past Asako-lead shows, she's definitely the nibante and Yuuhi is the sanbante (Yuuhi fans, don't fret too much. They're still doing the shared-nibante thing for Mahoroba).
Taki-san, Yuuhi, Eri, Masaki, and Ahi play Asako's assistants. For Masaki and Eri, they get a lot more visibility than they usually do in Grand Theater shows which makes me happy. None of these roles are all that interesting, honestly (or at least not compared to some of the roles that have been played by these actresses in the past). As I said, for Masaki and Eri, it's a step up. For Taki-san and Yuuhi, it's a little bit of a step down. (Although Yuuhi continues to be adorable). For Ahi...well, it's better than her role in PariSora. Really, Hankyu, it's time to start giving her some good roles now that you've made her yonbante of tsukigumi. Hopefully she'll get one in Hollywood Lover? But before I bash Sandor's assistants too much, I need to say that I always love the idea of a tsukigumi posse and this is no exception (I felt the same way about Mami's contingent of guards in Prisoner of Zenda).
Ai-chan doesn't get to show up until halfway through the show and I suppose she doesn't actually have a lot of stage time. However, I loved her dancing in the first scene she appeared. Nene and Remi played Mihoko's cohorts and got some small, funny bits. Given that musumeyaku who are any lesser ranked than top star or nibante are often invisible, I was happy. *scratches head* I think that was Remi. Even though she has lines and stuff I'm not seeing her in the named cast list on the wiki.
Misa Noeru and Morie are kind of underused, although the latter did get one good scene in the beginning. Yashiro Kou at least gets a solo during the song with the reporters and some funny bits later on.
Oh, and the mini-revue at the end! Kiriyan leading a number. A rocket dance that I actually liked. Sueko getting to dance with Asako a little. Comparatively non-ugly finale costumes. I approve muchly.
I decided to give the show another chance. Well, not like I couldn't since I already had bought tickets, but you get the idea. I'm happy to say that while Mahoroba/Magician no Yuutsu is not my Favorite Show Ever, I had a much more positive experience.
Mahoroba:
So as I mentioned in another post, I ended up with B-seki when I thought I was going to get S. At the time I was somewhat pouty (I feel embarrassed in retrospect,
caithion -_-;), but this was probably a good thing because I was able to appreciate the choreography much more from a distance. (This is generally true of revues. If you're going to see a show multiple times, I recommend trying to see it once from the second floor).
Hmm...so what to make of this one. It does grow on me every time I see it, and having just watched a digest of it on Takarazuka Cafe Break it continues to do so.
There are parts that I really like, and then others that feel kind of flat to me. I might have to wait until I go to see the show again in a few weeks to give a final verdict. However, I think I'm in the minority on this one, since both
dusk_in_dendera and caithion really liked the entire thing. And to be honest, given how miserable I was feeling when I saw the show last week, I was extremely relieved that I was able to enjoy the show at all. If anything, this revue earns points for being different from the norm stylistically. Compared to some of the more crack-ish reviews out there, I'd say it was more artsy. But in a good way. I haven't seen Susano-o yet, but I've heard from other people that it's a similar style.
It's visually darn pretty. There's some really lovely choreography, so yay for Sha Tamae-sensei. The costumes are kind of your usual Takarazuka crack, but in a pretty way. The LED screen worked better in some places than others. Then again, considering that usually it's a disaster when it's used at all, I thought it was put to comparatively good use.
There's not a lot of solos for people besides Asako and Mihoko, but then again it is a shorter review. And while they didn't get solos, people like Kiriyan and Yuuhi did get to do some cool stuff in the group numbers (like shaking their butts in drag. That's your incentive to see this show). I thought Izumo Aya, Misa Noeru, and Ban Akira were put to decent use. Oh, and Eri plays the god of the sea and gets a small solo. This made my day.
So maybe not my favorite revue ever at this point, but it's growing on me. I think some of you may really fall in love with it.
Magician no Yuutsu:
As I write this, I realize that my comments have a common theme: not my favorite ever, but a definite step up from other recent tsukigumi Grand Theater shows (namely Jazzy Fairies and PariSora).
I think Magician no Yuutsu's biggest problem is that it doesn't figure out whether it wants a comedy or a murder mystery. Now, don't get me wrong, it still works pretty well as both, but due to this identity crisis I can't call it spectacular as a whole. (I still enjoy the majority of the Takarazuka I see these days, but I guess I have become more critical lately). In any case, it's still a DEFINITE step up from PariSora and Jazzy Fairies. Don't mean to sound too negative on this one -_-;
The score is catchy and fun, but doesn't allow for a lot of solos. (That's not necessarily a good or bad thing). The choreography isn't really standing out in my mind one way or another. Everyone is really well dressed in this show. Asako's magician costume in the opening number, the pink dress Mihoko wears that lets you see her shoulder blades, Eri's leather jacket... I also really liked the use of the velvet curtains in the set.
Sandor is a good role for Asako. Yes, it's what she usually does, but it allows her to do it well. The Sena Jun charm is definitely turned on in this one.
Poor Mihoko has not been treated very well in terms of the roles she's received as a top star in the past. Veronica isn't as complex as say, Elisabeth, but she's a more interesting character than the extremely bland Mimi in PariSora. Socially Awkward!Mihoko is adorable, and even more so together with Asako.
Of all Takarasiennes, I've probably seen Kiriyan the most (since she's my favorite, this isn't exactly an accident). The result is that I've started to get a little picky about which roles of hers are my absolute favorites, and honestly, this doesn't fall on that list. But it's not a bad role for her either. She has some really funny moments and a catchy song in the middle. Compared to past Asako-lead shows, she's definitely the nibante and Yuuhi is the sanbante (Yuuhi fans, don't fret too much. They're still doing the shared-nibante thing for Mahoroba).
Taki-san, Yuuhi, Eri, Masaki, and Ahi play Asako's assistants. For Masaki and Eri, they get a lot more visibility than they usually do in Grand Theater shows which makes me happy. None of these roles are all that interesting, honestly (or at least not compared to some of the roles that have been played by these actresses in the past). As I said, for Masaki and Eri, it's a step up. For Taki-san and Yuuhi, it's a little bit of a step down. (Although Yuuhi continues to be adorable). For Ahi...well, it's better than her role in PariSora. Really, Hankyu, it's time to start giving her some good roles now that you've made her yonbante of tsukigumi. Hopefully she'll get one in Hollywood Lover? But before I bash Sandor's assistants too much, I need to say that I always love the idea of a tsukigumi posse and this is no exception (I felt the same way about Mami's contingent of guards in Prisoner of Zenda).
Ai-chan doesn't get to show up until halfway through the show and I suppose she doesn't actually have a lot of stage time. However, I loved her dancing in the first scene she appeared. Nene and Remi played Mihoko's cohorts and got some small, funny bits. Given that musumeyaku who are any lesser ranked than top star or nibante are often invisible, I was happy. *scratches head* I think that was Remi. Even though she has lines and stuff I'm not seeing her in the named cast list on the wiki.
Misa Noeru and Morie are kind of underused, although the latter did get one good scene in the beginning. Yashiro Kou at least gets a solo during the song with the reporters and some funny bits later on.
Oh, and the mini-revue at the end! Kiriyan leading a number. A rocket dance that I actually liked. Sueko getting to dance with Asako a little. Comparatively non-ugly finale costumes. I approve muchly.