The main visual for the musical “Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju” has been released. It has been decided that Mario Kuroba and Baijaku Nakamura will appear as additional cast members.
“Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju” is a masterpiece manga by Haruko Kumota that depicts the lovable true faces and deeds of storytellers set in the world of rakugo in the Showa era. It won the Excellence Award in the Manga Division of the 17th Japan Media Arts Festival by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the New Artist Award at the 21st Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize, and was made into an anime in 2016 and 2017, and a TV drama in 2018, both of which became a hot topic.
The story begins when a former thug named Yotarou shows up at the door of the last great master of the Showa era, Yakumo Yurakutei, and asks to become his apprentice. Then, for some reason, Yakumo, who would never take on an apprentice, accepts Yotarou. From there, the story unfolds about the unknown fate of the legendary genius storyteller Sukeroku, who died young, and Yakumo, who is left alone in the world of storytelling, chasing after his footsteps.
The musical features Yamazaki Ikusaburo and Furukawa Yudai as the two Rakugo performers who are bound by a strong friendship, the genius and bold Sukeroku, the hardworking and sensitive Kikuhiko (Yakumo), and Asumi Rio as Miyokichi, a geisha who becomes close friends with them.
The main visual released this time is full of realism, like a scene from a play, with the three girls’ feelings intertwined in a complex way. This is the first time the three girls have appeared in traditional Japanese clothing in a musical (Asumi has done this since leaving the Takarazuka Revue), so it is a valuable visual in that respect as well.
Also newly announced are Kuroba Mario as Yotarou and Nakamura Baijaku as Master (the seventh generation Yakumo). Yotarou is a character who becomes an apprentice to Yakumo, who has grown older and become a great master. Kuroba has been highly praised for his versatile acting, from the pure Romeo in “Romeo & Juliet” to the bizarre villain Shishio Makoto in “Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Arc”. This time, he will take on an important role that will learn about Yakumo’s hidden past.
The other master was Yakumo VII, under whose tutelage Sukeroku and Kikuhiko (Yakumo) became young, and who also had a connection with Miyokichi. Umejaku, who has been active in a wide range of stage productions from period dramas to musicals, as well as in numerous TV dramas, will surely embody the strict yet warm-hearted master. Expectations are high for the chemistry they will create.
Yamazaki has spoken about the additional cast, Asumi and Furukawa have spoken about their current feelings after completing the visual shoot, and Kuroba and Umejaku have commented on their appearances.
Don’t forget, advance tickets will go on sale through each performer’s fan club from October 18th.
The musical “Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju” will be performed in Tokyo at Tokyu Theatre Orb from February to March 2025, and in Osaka at the Festival Hall from March to April, with a performance in Fukuoka also planned.
I am happy that new actors I trust will be joining the cast. Kuroba Mario, who plays Yotarou, will play Yotarou, who is a bridge between the audience and the cast, similar to his role as Luchini in “Elisabeth”.
Mario has a handsome face and an orthodox image, but he is a passionate and manly actor. I am looking forward to seeing how he will play Yotarou, who is the key character of the work.
Nakamura Baijaku, who plays the master (the seventh generation Yakumo), and I have co-starred in the drama “Ichikei no Karasu”, but this is our first time acting together on stage. His attitude when facing the work, as an actor and as a musician, is very charming, and he is a senior whom I respect. This time, it is a Japanese thing, so I would like to learn a lot from Baijaku. Please look forward to the original Japanese musical “Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju” created with a wonderful cast.
I was allowed to wear a lovely kimono for the shoot. I stood in front of the camera hoping to bring out the sensuality that only a Japanese outfit can bring out. I have played many roles as a woman living alone while protecting something, so it felt fresh to approach the shoot with Miyokichi’s mindset. I felt a great sense of elation that “Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju” is finally about to begin, and I can’t wait to start rehearsals with Yamazaki-san, Furukawa-san, and everyone else. I hope you will look forward to it!
Rakugo and musical are seemingly contradictory things, but they are going to be fused together this time, and I, as a performer, am excited about it. There is a wonderful original work, and I can’t help but look forward to how it will be put together and shaped from scratch under the direction of director Shuichiro Koike.
The other day, we had the opportunity to do some visual photography. Ikusaburo Yamazaki, who appeared in the drama version, already had the presence of Sukeroku, and Rio Asumi looked so beautiful in her traditional Japanese clothing that I was overwhelmed. I myself was moved by the appearance of Yakumo, who was created by everyone, wearing the costume. In this scene, which is filled with the love of the staff, I will face the role firmly and build it, and do my best to become a part of the work. Everyone, please support me!
I will be appearing in the musical “Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju” as Yotaro. My name is Kuroba Mario. I am very happy to have been asked to appear, and at the same time, I am happy to be able to create an original Japanese work with my seniors whom I greatly respect, Mr. Koike, who has always been very kind to me, and the wonderful staff. And above all, I am filled with happiness to be able to live through acting in the world of Rakugo, which I have never experienced before. I will do my best to deliver the best work to everyone, while enjoying the role and struggling with many problems in the rehearsal hall. A new genre called “Rakugo x Musical”. I wonder what it will be like. I myself am excited from now on. I hope everyone will look forward to it.
I watched the NHK drama without knowing the original work. The lines were filled with wonderful words that bring light to people who are at a crossroads in their lives. The plot was intriguing. I felt the weight of a famous name and the way the various human relationships related to it were portrayed was convincing. I was also very impressed by the spirit of the performers who took on the difficult role of a rakugo performer. I’m excited that it’s being made into a musical. Moreover, this is my first time playing the role of a rakugo performer, so I’m really looking forward to it. How do I portray the way of life of a person who is proud but also suffers, and who risks his life for what he needs to protect? I will do my best to become a part of a good team. Thank you very much.
Title: Musical “Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju”
Original work: Haruko Kumota “Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju” (Kodansha “BE LOVE”)
Script and direction: Shuichiro Koike (Takarazuka Revue Company)
Planning: Ikusaburo Yamazaki
Composer and music director: Tokifumi Ozawa
Cast
Sukeroku: Ikusaburo Yamazaki
Miyokichi: Rio Asumi
Kikuhiko (Yakumo): Yudai Furukawa
Yotaro: Mario Kuroba
Master (7th generation Yakumo): Baijaku Nakamura Other
period (Tokyo): Friday, February 28, 2025 – Saturday, March 22, 2025, 28 performances total
Venue (Tokyo): Tokyu Theatre Orb
Period (Osaka): Saturday, March 29, 2025 – Monday, April 7, 2025, 12 performances total
Venue (Osaka): Festival Hall
Period (Fukuoka): Monday, April 14, 2025 – Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 12 performances total
Venue (Fukuoka): Fukuoka Civic Hall
*Organizer: Hakataza
Ticket prices (tax included / same for Tokyo and Osaka performances):
(Weekdays) S seat 16,500 yen / A seat 10,000 yen / B seat 5,500 yen
(Saturday, Sunday, final performance) S seat 17,500 yen / A seat 11,000 yen / B seat 6,500 yen
General release (Tokyo and Osaka performances): Sunday, January 12, 2025, 10:00 ~
コメント