Remi's Last Day(s) Part One: Sogenkai
Hey peeps. I don't have long, because tomorrow standby is at 7:15 AM--Remi Club is getting together to rehearse our goodbye message. It amazes me, how so many women do this as a social thing; they seek out stars to follow, and really enjoy getting together at the crack of dawn to see plays they might not even like a couple dozen times in a row. @_@ For me, only Remi could make me do this!
But I wanted to write some quick impressions before trying to sleep early.
Seeing Danza/Celebrity again, I don't have much to add to my earlier review. Danza was retooled a bit for Tokyo; Angelita came across a little softer, and her dance lead was longer (yay!) Makaze Suzuho was added into a scene at the Lua Azul, and I think Jose got more lines. Another Remi Club member who says she's seen the play about 20 times insists Toyoko and Remi added in an intimate scene where Toyoko strokes Remi's face in Celebrity too. ^^
They showed me pictures from Remi's ochakai--it was that or this, and I chose this--and who showed up, but AIHARA MIKA! She and Remi are apparently very good friends from back at TMS. Go figure.
I had never been to a sogenkai before, and didn't know what it was; all I knew was that it was for the 89th class today, and the fanclubs consider it a big thing. I was hoping there'd be a talk or something, but nope. It's basically demachi, but longer with a tiny present handed out. I went with Remi Club to have a drink after the play while we waited, as unlike demachi, it's not just waiting; the time is set. Nene and Shiiran went earlier, so I didn't get to see theirs; instead, Remi went with Aomi Rima.
A little over a dozen of us from Remi Club, and I think nine people from Rima Club, lined up demachi-like. We have white shirts with Remi's name in pink; Rima club has these awesome sweatshirts with blue angel wings painted on the back (and 2003-2012). I was told that Rima is an incredibly sweet woman, so otsukare, Rima!
To my surprise, across the street were a couple hundred people in white t-shirts with a figure in silver dancing on the front. It turns out that night was Toyoko's sogenkai too!
Sogenkai happens after demachi is basically over, and the clubs have left. A few stragglers came out and we bowed as we would for regular demachi. But then Toyoko showed, and unlike demachi, there was no hat to hide her features, as this is about meeting fans. Her fan club let out this great squeal and Toyoko laughed.
Toyoko was incredibly gracious. She stopped to bow and thank EVERY SINGLE FANCLUB MEMBER. Granted, that's part of sogenkai--they're supposed to take more time than at regular demachi--but good grief, there were dozens of them. Remi and Rima came out as she was still taking letters. They smiled and bowed and thanked us, took our letters, gave us each an "I heart 89th" sticker as a gift, swore they would ganbaru, and left. Meanwhile, Toyoko was still talking to her fans. Even after she'd taken the letters she gave a speech and walked up and down and smiled at everyone and was just SO sweet. I mean my God, how can you not love her?
Remi looked awful. Her hair is scraggly, she has reached the approximate weight of a war camp victim, and is so pale I think I could see right through her skin. >< How does she do this every day? On stage, she had all the energy she always has, exploding through dance numbers, smiling like every moment is joyful. Rima and Toyoko too. I don't know where they find the strength, but I have such respect. I'd never be able to do it.
To bed. I hope!
But I wanted to write some quick impressions before trying to sleep early.
Seeing Danza/Celebrity again, I don't have much to add to my earlier review. Danza was retooled a bit for Tokyo; Angelita came across a little softer, and her dance lead was longer (yay!) Makaze Suzuho was added into a scene at the Lua Azul, and I think Jose got more lines. Another Remi Club member who says she's seen the play about 20 times insists Toyoko and Remi added in an intimate scene where Toyoko strokes Remi's face in Celebrity too. ^^
They showed me pictures from Remi's ochakai--it was that or this, and I chose this--and who showed up, but AIHARA MIKA! She and Remi are apparently very good friends from back at TMS. Go figure.
I had never been to a sogenkai before, and didn't know what it was; all I knew was that it was for the 89th class today, and the fanclubs consider it a big thing. I was hoping there'd be a talk or something, but nope. It's basically demachi, but longer with a tiny present handed out. I went with Remi Club to have a drink after the play while we waited, as unlike demachi, it's not just waiting; the time is set. Nene and Shiiran went earlier, so I didn't get to see theirs; instead, Remi went with Aomi Rima.
A little over a dozen of us from Remi Club, and I think nine people from Rima Club, lined up demachi-like. We have white shirts with Remi's name in pink; Rima club has these awesome sweatshirts with blue angel wings painted on the back (and 2003-2012). I was told that Rima is an incredibly sweet woman, so otsukare, Rima!
To my surprise, across the street were a couple hundred people in white t-shirts with a figure in silver dancing on the front. It turns out that night was Toyoko's sogenkai too!
Sogenkai happens after demachi is basically over, and the clubs have left. A few stragglers came out and we bowed as we would for regular demachi. But then Toyoko showed, and unlike demachi, there was no hat to hide her features, as this is about meeting fans. Her fan club let out this great squeal and Toyoko laughed.
Toyoko was incredibly gracious. She stopped to bow and thank EVERY SINGLE FANCLUB MEMBER. Granted, that's part of sogenkai--they're supposed to take more time than at regular demachi--but good grief, there were dozens of them. Remi and Rima came out as she was still taking letters. They smiled and bowed and thanked us, took our letters, gave us each an "I heart 89th" sticker as a gift, swore they would ganbaru, and left. Meanwhile, Toyoko was still talking to her fans. Even after she'd taken the letters she gave a speech and walked up and down and smiled at everyone and was just SO sweet. I mean my God, how can you not love her?
Remi looked awful. Her hair is scraggly, she has reached the approximate weight of a war camp victim, and is so pale I think I could see right through her skin. >< How does she do this every day? On stage, she had all the energy she always has, exploding through dance numbers, smiling like every moment is joyful. Rima and Toyoko too. I don't know where they find the strength, but I have such respect. I'd never be able to do it.
To bed. I hope!