Takarazuka Revue 2013: Yuumi Hiro
Feeling Joy at Creating a Bridge to the 100th Anniversary
Having come to love the character of Miles Edgeworth in the previous production, I was happy to play him again and it was extremely enjoyable to follow his newly-written life story in Phoenix Wright 3: Public Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth. It was also very emotional for me to be able to perform a lead role at Theater Drama City for the fans who have supported me for so long.
I've been given the opportunity to play many different villain roles, perhaps because I've said that I wanted to since I was an underclassman. In The Count of Monte Cristo as well, it was very fun to play a markedly evil role such as Danglars. The director Ishida-sensei said to me, "I want you to exude a presence of evil from the moment you appear", so I thought of portraying him with a blazing life energy -- as if he had actually lived in that era -- and played him that way.
In Amour de 99!! ~99 Years of Love~, at first there was a feeling of pressure since we were bringing back famous scenes as a bridge to the 100th anniversary, but then I felt great joy that we, here, now, are bringing together the history of Takarazuka. In it I was given the chance to sing a song that I'm sure my fans know well, "Ai no Sonata" -- I thought of enveloping the Grand Theater with that song as I stood on the stage.
With Passion In My Heart, Being a Supporting Presence in Cosmos Troupe Since Its Establishment
As a person who has known Cosmos Troupe since its establishment, I haven't forgotten the passion and power of that time; I'd like to express that and pass it on to everyone in the troupe. At first we had many different colors and it wasn't easy to say which color we were, but from blue to red, we've changed to different colors of the rainbow. What I feel right now is a fresh, new power that's been built upon our foundation. I'm looking forward to which color we'll transform into next, as I support the troupe as a single Cosmos member.
A Performance With Even More Depth
The national tour of Ephemeral Love from July to August will be the second time I've appeared in this production. I got to perform in it as an underclassman, but at that time I was consumed with just being onstage. It seems in some ways that the whole of the world has come under a damper, and I feel it too, but that's exactly why I want to give a passionate and energetic performance.
The 100th anniversary is close at hand... Having accumulated so much experience over the years, I'll do my best to show everyone a Yuumi Hiro with even more depth.
(Cross-posted to Tumblr.)