fits perfectly. I'm hypnotised too

fits perfectly: Christmas lights

I know I should have put 'Christmas lights' here, because it's more into the topic, but I just can't lie to myself. My winter this year flows under the melody of 'Everglow'.

Yes.

'PUCK' & 'Crystal Takarazuka' ~ how to make your friend a Takarazuka fan

First of all, this is what I learnt from a friend working in the Grand Theatre. Though this is the order in which I learnt the facts, it is also an attempt to think it over while I'm writing.

1. The next Top Star of the Star will be miss Hokushou. That's no news for anybody who follows Takarazuka's life. The reason miss Makaze (or miss Kurenai?) was not chosen is that she doesn't look handsome enough and there are people who dislike their appearance.

2. On the contrary, Mirio is very beautiful. I can't disagree, because I like her type of appearance very much, too, though I wouldn't really compliment that in first place, like my friend did. The Japanese really do care a lot about a sienne's face.

3. And the reason why miss Hokushou is to become the Star's Top only now is that though she was originally popular in Moon, she couldn't become a Top because there was miss Ryuu, a daughter to a rich family. That's why they let miss Hokushou escape to Superiors and wait there for a while. That's what the rumour says, but even though a rumour, it is a very certain one.

4. It is a common-spread thing that the Tops are there not 'accidentally'. The only ones among the recent Top Stars who achieved their position thanks to their ability are miss Sou from Snow and miss Ranju from Flower.

5. Moreover, miss Ryuu has a high voice which makes many spectators regret that she's not manly enough.

6. Moreover, Moon Troupe as a whole is also bad at singing. They have bad pronounciation, too, which makes elder visitors of the Theatre complain sometimes that they couldn't understand what the actresses were saying.

I wonder why it is exactly mss Ranju and Sou for whom my admiration is limited to respect only, because they really failed to capture my heart even once.

Not that I thought that they are really allowed to become a Top for free. But it kinda... hurts. I mean, I could agree if I heard that a Top-Star-to-be, already chosen by her skills, is asked to make a 'small contribution'. Not vice versa.

1) Puck

Story and characters

There's nothing to say. Puck is one of my favourite musicals in Zuka, because it's so funny, so strange and so touching. And because of Suzukaze Mayo, too, because she created all that initial impression of the musical itself.

It happened so that both musicals we saw were based on Shakespeare's plays. Very loosely... And even though Shakespeare is not my cup of tea, I wouldn't mind drinking 'Puck' again (how was that? a nice phrase I made huh?).

Acting

Now comes the main part. *taking deep breath*

I was not very happy when I heard miss Ryuu would play Puck. It wasn't her type, I thought. It was for Suzukaze, it wasn't for Ryuu. She was still that villain Jacques in my mind. She could do Romeo credibly, too, I thought.

Everything changes with the first note that she utters after appearing on stage. She's not a bad copy of Suzukaze. She isn't a completely new version ruining the original charm of the character. She's just another Puck. Cute Puck. Mischievous Puck. Then suffering Puck. Then poor Puck. Then kind, good boy Puck. My Japanese friend said that 'Puck' is a 'very-happy-ending' enjoyable musical. I wonder if that counts as a 'very happy end', but it's not a tragedy either.

And what can I say? I don't agree that they are bad at singing. Puck's aria or Hermia's song, or just one number of Tytania meeting Bobby - sung by mss Touka and Tamaki - is enough to hear that.

I didn't feel it was hard to understand them, either. My friend would say that's because I'm young and have no problems with hearing, but I'm not Japanese and still only a small percentage of words stay incomprehensible to me when I try to write the script down.

I can't say they are bad actresses. When miss Miya starts joking about her billiard playing being so unusual because of the Christmas Eve, and you understand that's obviously ad lib because it IS the Christmas Eve, when Puck looks at his hands that have just touched Hermia's, when both guys fall in love with Helen after Puck cast a spell on them, it may touch you, or it may fail to do so, but it's the real acting.

I was actually sad and distressed when I heard all those things from my friend. However, it doesn't matter anymore. It's not important anymore, because this I know for sure: after coming to the hotel at midnight having travelled with a heavy bag and getting lost while trying to go to a convenient store, after a difficult getting up in the morning, and after even the breakfast failed to make me feel energetic, it was the Moon Troupe that fixed me. 

Music
It was 90s. A time drowning in pop'n'rock. If you listen to Masao's voice when she sings the first song after Puck was born, or to 'Growing up', or to 'Just say dance tonight', you'll hear Okui Masami, Shiina Hekiru, Mazda Julia in there. (upd: I've just read that 'Midsummer Eve' was specially written by Matsutoya Yumi, so you'll probably hear her there, too)

2) 'Crystal Takarazuka'
I'd say it wasn't the best show I've ever seen. It didn't become my favourite either. I didn't even buy the CD. First of all, I was a bit disappointed by the main theme. It was not bad, it was as energetic, GENKI, as always, but I can't help comparing it with 'Dance Romanesque'. And it lost.
Other than that, I really liked one number, the one about marionettes, except for the fact it doesn't have a happy ending >___<
Still, I enjoyed very much both the dolls dancin' part and the duo dance, coupled by... Coldplay. Wow. Takarazuka even borrows things like that...

The other two pieces I recognised were 'Bamboleo' by Tamaki Ryou

and 'Misirlou' used in the fight between Coppelius and mr Detective, just before 'Viva la vida'

the latter, I must confess, I only recognised thanks to it being used in The Black Eyed Peas' song 'Pump It' (had to google for it).
I guess I could also recognise the 'gypsy' main theme, but it appears to be a bit hard to find how it's called. I'm also pretty sure the otokoyaku stairs dance was accompanied by a variation on some classical piece, but I just can't remember what it is.
If you ask me what seat to choose when buying tickets with a limited budget, I'd say - buy A seats on the balcony, row #8 in the Grand Theatre and #7 in Tokyo. It's the first row after a wide aisle connecting the right and the left sides of the balcony. Why those seats? Haha. Try yourself.
By the way, I was sitting 2 rows behind, and still the impression was deep.
I mean, just a metre away from Chinami Karan or Kanoha Toki giving high five to those who were sitting in front of them...
I guess I spilt it out.
And the point I cannot miss - Top Combi. It was the first time I've seen the current Combi and I was afraid I'd dislike it, but I was wrong. I think I might like them less if I saw them earlier, when they were still not 'used' to each other, but now they are a good couple. I like it extremely how Reika looks at Ryuu whenever possible - in all dances where she has at least some interaction with her, and even during the dancing numbers in the Grand Sports Day. If KiriMari were an unusual Combi, then Reika is a very typical nice, tender, cute musumeyaku. And why don't I hate her? Probably because she's very natural, with no shadow of showing-off, no attempts to make the audience actually notice how she's trying to behave in a cute way, and first of all, because there is no part of her body she'd spare for her performance, not a single piece of her soul she's not laying down on a tray to present to the audience. She gives all she has to those who watch her, and I can see that. The one thing that still bothers me is that they're not as close as I wish them to be in, like, Top Combi duet dance, etc. After 2 years together I'd like them to be clinging to each other, and they still aren't.
As for the young siennes who made their appearance in the usual 'boys band singing and dancing number' in the middle of the show, I can't really understand well why Ryou is so promoted, especially on part of her vocals. She's a good girl and she'll do well, but I wouldn't say I enjoyed her voice very much. I also feel sorry for mss Uzuki and Shimon who are not getting as much attention than they used to, and whom I would really praise for her vocals in this 'pop group' is ms Akatsuki.
Apart from them, my favourite vocalists would be mss Seijou and Saou. I'd drown in their voices...

Conclusion

How to make your friend a Zuka fan? Try to guess. Well, she's into musicals in general. And she is interested in what a 'revue' is like in Japan. Still, she wouldn't watch what you tell her 'just because'.

And then you just take her with you to see it live.

upd. after watching the dvd version

- Puck, get on this swing
- can I, lord Oberon?
- of course, it's made-to-order for you!
- wow thanks!
- and now fly up!
- fly-fly, shrimp-fry!
- it's not THAT fry...
- oops...
- now be gone with the wind!
- ok, I'll think about that tomorrow!

- huh? why is there no applause?

my humble opinion and some thoughts in general: 'meet again' - 'Soul of Shiva' (2009) by Star Troupe

I was hoping to watch it for a while, since I watched the 'love scene ranking' and noticed the funny and at the same time funny moment from this performance.

_____

by the way, I never expressed my gratitude to the source of my everyday delight, so I feel a little ashamed. that is why I would like to thank all the contributors of the community and groups.

_____

let me proceed to the show itself.

voices

while the voice of Yuzuki-sama was already familiar to me (and I happen to like it), the voice of Nene singing was a thing covered in mystery.

the first impression was bad and I thought she is really a boring singer, but several minutes of listening to her have changed my mind. the situation seems to be quite the opposite and Nene-chan really has one of the most unique voices, I daresay. though she is obviously not destined to sing tender songs like an ethereal angel, it is not that we really asked her. the funny songs, as well as funny lines, are quite good, and meseems, she is good at being funny. however, the type of singing which will reveal her true nature, as I dare to suggest, is the traditional Japanese singing. I am already looking forward to watching a show based on a story about ancient Japan with her. too bad if she disappoints me then.

at the same time, her voice reminded me of that of Yuki-chan. actually, I believe their voiced to be of the same kind.

actually, I believe the Troupes to be quite alike. watching the revue 'soul of Shiva' made me think the abandoned hilarity of both performances was really similar to the one in the Moon shows. though, I cannot decide whether it is good or bad. well, as I can enjoy it now, I would prefer to count this as a good thing.

Ouki-san....... >____< never knew her voice would be that funny....... what's that, eh? I supposed her to be one of the 'brutal' kind, though different in the real life, but she is too cute, both as herself, and on the stage...... meseems, if only she becomes the Top of Cosmos, she would really save the Troupe for me... mehopes, not only for me, as it is obvious that Cosmos is boring, as for now. IMHO, as usual, as this opinion is based on almost nothing

well, a couple of words about the music

actually the story in 'saikai' is much more attractive than the music, as I did not like even a single song there, in terms of a song being a separate piece of art.

the revue was much better. the more I was smiling in respond to the cheerful singing and dancing in the beginning, the more shocking it was to see the scene of jealosy with such a touching singing.

the next song - sung by Ouki as far as I remember - seems quite familiar to me but unfortunately I have no idea what it could be, to say nothing of where and when I could have heard it. I should say it was really beautiful.

what came next was a real >________<

I knew they make covers on different songs in Zuka, from 'Puttin' on the Ritz' (which is quite expectable, as it suits the general style of a revue) up to Yuzu's song called ’虹’ (niji) - both of them are present in 'Dance Romanesque'.

BUT. who knew they would cover COLDPLAY?????????????

I cannot say I like the Zuka's version very much but the one thing which is inevitable every time I watch a revue - the shock and surprise, the delight and simple LOL as a result. if I could ever express my appreciation and respect to the directors of the shows....... they are so inventive and full of such brilliant ideas - covers of popular songs, orchestra versions of old hits, playing on words, sudden developments on the stage... OMG, how much I would like to thank them all.

it was only yesterday when I understood whay I love the most in a revue - apart from the parade which makes me cry almost every time. it is the standard otokoyaku dance, which is placed somewhere before the end of the revue, as fas as I can judge.

the accuracy and synchronicity of their movements is simply adorable. nothing odd, nothing out of tune, no awkward gestures... this perfection coupled with the music - which is resembling a march, but is not a march actually - makes me almost swoon, as it smells of the confidence and firmness which makes all the people on stage seem so reliable and strong...... T____T

I am pretty sure they are allmighty heroes. yes, certainly. all those siennas in Zuka.

thank you so much, minna.

_____

a small update

a one big LOL here

Which of these revue staples is your favorite?

the dance I mentioned is an undoubted LEADER

are not the fangirls over the world united in their preferences???

my favourite moment in the show is when Gerard is shouting offensive words and then pretending to have said nothing

'just tidying up, tidying up...'