Black Lizard review
Before I start, I hope it's okay that I've been posting reviews lately. I don't have my own Zuka journal (nor do I particularly want to start one), but I still really like writing about Zuka and hearing what other people think. So give me a yell if I'm making too many posts, but I'm hoping it's okay T_T
Note: This is for the Black Lizard half of the show.
Thoughts on the story:
The story was well done. The cast is made up of compelling characters. In particular it was nice to see the main musumeyaku (Sakurano Ayane and Nono Sumika) get interesting roles. The ending really does punch you in the gut in the end (in the good sense).
Why, oh why, though, did they have to include the junior detectives? The one who was featured was okay, but I winced when they came out in chorus.
Thoughts on the performers:
Don’t throw rotten vegetables at me, but Osa isn’t my favorite sienne. I don’t think she does anything particularly badly, I just like other people better. That being said, the more I listen to her singles on the Black Lizard CD the more she’s growing on me. Her “Propose” and “Wasurerarenai” in particular are pretty powerful. Osa fans will probably love her in this show.
Similarly, I think Sakurano Ayane is growing on me the more I think back on her. She really did create a role that’s a lot different than a lot of other musumeyaku roles out there. Her Midorikawa was both cunning and vulnerable.
I’m not that familiar with Hanagumi (as this is the first time I’ve seen them), but Sou Kazuho and Matobu Sei stood out for me. I think I liked them more than Osa…wait, Osa fans, don’t throw that at me! It takes forever for the smell to come out!
Thoughts on the music:
The music was definitely a strong point of the show IMO…definitely better than the usual stuff the Takarazuka Music Factory turns out. If I ever get married, I want to be asked by someone singing “Propose.” Once again I’m sad that Hankyu rarely releases full albums of the musical half of most shows.
Thoughts on the staging:
I was looking forward to this show ever since I saw Kimura Shinji was the director (he also directed Ernest in Love, which is probably my favorite show ever). He didn’t disappoint. There were a lot of cool things he did…the chorus members sitting and watching Akechi during one number, the hotel and elevator, the backdrop of the city…I’ll stop there, but there was a lot that I liked. I remember being less impressed with the staging in the second half of Black Lizard than the first, but overall it was still quite good. The part with the cars (you’ll know what I’m talking about when you see it) was either incredibly well done or incredibly cheesy, I haven’t figured out which yet.
I am curious as to how this will be filmed for the DVD, though, as some parts I thought would work much better in live theater.
Conclusion:
Even as someone who is only casually acquainted with Hanagumi I thought this was a pretty darned good show. Hanagumi fans I’m sure will go crazy.
Tuxedo Jazz, unfortunately, didn't do much for me *hides from yet more tomatoes* It was a little too cheesy for my tastes, and without being attached to any of the siennes it was hard to get into it. Someone else probably can give a better review.
Note: This is for the Black Lizard half of the show.
Thoughts on the story:
The story was well done. The cast is made up of compelling characters. In particular it was nice to see the main musumeyaku (Sakurano Ayane and Nono Sumika) get interesting roles. The ending really does punch you in the gut in the end (in the good sense).
Why, oh why, though, did they have to include the junior detectives? The one who was featured was okay, but I winced when they came out in chorus.
Thoughts on the performers:
Don’t throw rotten vegetables at me, but Osa isn’t my favorite sienne. I don’t think she does anything particularly badly, I just like other people better. That being said, the more I listen to her singles on the Black Lizard CD the more she’s growing on me. Her “Propose” and “Wasurerarenai” in particular are pretty powerful. Osa fans will probably love her in this show.
Similarly, I think Sakurano Ayane is growing on me the more I think back on her. She really did create a role that’s a lot different than a lot of other musumeyaku roles out there. Her Midorikawa was both cunning and vulnerable.
I’m not that familiar with Hanagumi (as this is the first time I’ve seen them), but Sou Kazuho and Matobu Sei stood out for me. I think I liked them more than Osa…wait, Osa fans, don’t throw that at me! It takes forever for the smell to come out!
Thoughts on the music:
The music was definitely a strong point of the show IMO…definitely better than the usual stuff the Takarazuka Music Factory turns out. If I ever get married, I want to be asked by someone singing “Propose.” Once again I’m sad that Hankyu rarely releases full albums of the musical half of most shows.
Thoughts on the staging:
I was looking forward to this show ever since I saw Kimura Shinji was the director (he also directed Ernest in Love, which is probably my favorite show ever). He didn’t disappoint. There were a lot of cool things he did…the chorus members sitting and watching Akechi during one number, the hotel and elevator, the backdrop of the city…I’ll stop there, but there was a lot that I liked. I remember being less impressed with the staging in the second half of Black Lizard than the first, but overall it was still quite good. The part with the cars (you’ll know what I’m talking about when you see it) was either incredibly well done or incredibly cheesy, I haven’t figured out which yet.
I am curious as to how this will be filmed for the DVD, though, as some parts I thought would work much better in live theater.
Conclusion:
Even as someone who is only casually acquainted with Hanagumi I thought this was a pretty darned good show. Hanagumi fans I’m sure will go crazy.
Tuxedo Jazz, unfortunately, didn't do much for me *hides from yet more tomatoes* It was a little too cheesy for my tastes, and without being attached to any of the siennes it was hard to get into it. Someone else probably can give a better review.