I had been discouraged as of late to go ahead with this decision for the simple fact that the tickets for the Tokyo Theater (which is obviously the closest one to us) were completely sold out, forcing me to get tickets for the Grand Theater in Osaka. I knew that this would require me to miss class so I emailed my teachers to let them know ahead of time that I would not be there. Monday, June 24 was going to be the best day of my life. I would take a night bus on Sunday to get to Osaka the following morning, take the train to Takarazuka, enjoy the show, and then take a [新幹線｜しんかんせん] or bullet train back to Tokyo that night. The night bus ticket was the easiest to get because I could buy it online. I got the student discount for the bullet train and bought that ticket next. That's when I had the second biggest heart attack I have had since planning to come to Japan in the first place - I could not buy the ticket to the actual show!
After several times of checking and double checking the timetable on the official website I knew for a fact that the tickets for the 24th were still available but the kiosk would not allow me to get one. I called on one of the cashiers who reiterated what the kiosk pop-up box kept telling me - SOLD OUT. My heart shattered into a million pieces and my mind flew off in a frenzy of wild thoughts mostly pertaining to my having spent a good amount of money on transportation and now not having anywhere to go. The woman suggested that I go to the 7-11 and use their kiosk, as if to say that Lawson's was broken. I went there and met with the same results, only briefly finding out that the 25th was still available. In a dazed panic I called our student affairs coordinator and asked her if she thought that I would be able to change the date of the bullet train ticket without incurring a fee. Basically telling me that that was a risk I would have to take, I ran back to the ticket office just as they were closing and asked for the young woman to change the date. Begrudgingly taking my tickets, she put them through the machine and gave me new ones. Then I high-tailed it over to the 7-11 and bought the most important ticket among all my tickets - the key to me seeing "Romeo and Juliette". With that fiasco behind me, I had to email a whole new set of teachers to alert them of my absence and then await the fateful day of my date with destiny (clichéd and melodramatic, I know, but who cares?!).
With the creation of the Takarazuka Music School in 1913 young women were trained in singing, dancing, and acting. The Grand Theater was built in 1924 and the greatness that is this unique art form was finally shared with the world. The girls who make it through the training and succeed in being brought into the group must go down one of two tracks - that of the [娘役｜むすめやく] or female role and [男役｜おとこやく] or male role.
Those who are chosen to transform themselves along the male vein are tasked with portraying/emulating the ideal man; a sensitive, romantic, handsome, courageous individual seeking the hand of beautiful young woman. There are five troupes within this theater - superior, flower, moon, snow, star, and cosmos - each with their own special characteristics (strong male leads, etc.) and theatrical proclivities (western/Broadway style, traditional Japanese style, etc.).
With the help of amazing sets, glam costumes and fantastical makeup, these women put on a show that, in my opinion, puts most if not all other art forms of the like to shame. Below are some examples of what amazing things that have been done over the years.
Ocean's Eleven
The Rose of Versailles
Romeo and Juliette
Cool right?!? And seeing these women live is even crazier because they are so freaking GORGEOUS!!!
Hereafter are the accounts of my travels to Osaka to see Takarazuka's Star Troupe's Romeo and Juliette so enjoy the ride with me!
[06.24] 21:45 - On my way to catch the night bus to Osaka and man am I freaking excited! I'm partially sick right now (thanks Alix) so I can't outwardly express my exuberance but this is good enough (hopefully this C.C. Lemon helps).
I have been wanting this for so long and now my biggest Japan bucket list goal will finally come to fruition. Everything is planed out, albeit last minute, but I know all my train names and lines to take, when to be where and how to catch my bullet train back to Tokyo. I even have multiple sets of clothing for the trip - one nice set for the musical, and a change for going home. Now all that's left to do is get there and enjoy myself. It's too bad I won't really be able to take pictures but with the opera glasses I'll rent I'm sure this event will leave a lasting mark on my memory.
23:42 - Finally on the bus after a nice meal of a club sandwich at Royal Host and a brief wait in the Willer Bus Terminal. I am yet again in a different form of their buses - the value double-decker bus. Two rows by two multicolored seats and I get my own pair (lucky me, eh?). I am soooo beyond ready to sleep now so I will keep this short. Until tomorrow! じゃまた！
[06.25] 7:45 - Made it to Osaka for the second time here in Japan. My body aches from my odd sleeping positions but other than that I'm no more worse for the wear. Drank another Vitamin C lemon drink (this one only had 50 lemons worth in it) and am about to have breakfast. Funny thing about that is you can't really eat anywhere other than inside a restaurant. I already had breakfast breads that I bought yesterday but finding somewhere outside to perch in Japan is rather hard unless you know of a park/playground. Oh well, down the hatch they go anyways!
9:30 - In the Hankyu-Umeda train station waiting for the appropriate train to take me on to the show. As I was walking around within to find some sort diversion, I stumbled upon a large TV screen promoting the show I plan to see - Romeo and Juliette - and got super excited. Now given the fact that Shakespeare is a main staple in the majority of American literature curriculums I already know the gist of the adaptation. I also kind of had a sneak peek of this particular musical already thanks to YouTube but I am not less happy to see it live. Still fighting this sneezing and sniffling but I do think that the C.C. is helping. Would be nice to have a cup of Earl Grey but I'm making due with what I've got.
12:20 - Getting off the train and finding my way to the Grand Theater was the most victorious feeling ever. Following the signs, I was led to the Flower Road 花の道 which would convey me to the theater. Seeing the crowds of women made me laugh because while they are basically fan girls they also have a lot of respect for the art and their happiness made me smile as well. I bought a program from about $10 and entered to find my seat which wasn't too bad vantage point wise. The first half was amazing! All the costumes and overly exaggerated makeup definitely helped fortify the performances that these ladies are putting on and man are they some powerful singers. The dancing reminds me of when I participated in musicals (background of course) and still want to do such things for fun. Speaking of background, I don't know if I'm going crazy or what but they ALL look the same! It must be the way they blend the makeup because I could have sworn I was looking at the exact same human in different backup roles. As for the main actors and actresses, the glitzier their costumes the more important they are. I absolutely love their Romeo played by Reon Yuzuki who is completely captivating and the Paris remains the detestable sort of character but in a different more girly way (no pun intended). I may be tempted at this point to buy the soundtrack. Let's hope my travels don't make me fall asleep!
14:42 - That second half was spectacular! A veritable feast of Shakespearean delight. I'm glad I opted out of getting the audio aid because duh, I already know Shakespeare and it wasn't hard to follow at all. The glasses certainly helped, especially once I figured out that you can focus them with the little knob in the middle. Tybalt was a deliciously terribly contemptible villain, the actor really lived up to the role and more. I wasn't a big fan of the Mercutio and Juliette, something about them was a bit off and their actions were fairly put on. Juliette's nurse was a lovable riot! Benvolio was a great friend, and both momma Capulet and momma Montague were so good. Every lyric they sang could break your heart. Romeo killed it, but of course you must if you are the lead. The encore - which brought out the entire cast to highlight the stars in several dance numbers that were a mixture of Broadway, Vegas and Takarazuka's own style only a million times better - was a freaking blast! That was what surprised me most but I'm glad that it was included. The costumes were gaudy but amazingly so and I ate up every second of it. I bought so many pictures, a trinket of Romeos, and the live CD soundtrack during the intermission (where the cashiers didn't even know they accepted my Discover card - psh, I can read!) and more pictures after it was over. Let's just say I turned fan girl for a bit and thank goodness for borrowed money. Unfortunately, all that put me off schedule to catch the correct trains so I'll be late catching up with the girls for our skating adventure. But all in all, I'm glad I paid the money to have this experience.
- Night Bus Ticket: 3,800 yen (about $38)
- Bullet Train Ticket: 11,100 yen (about $111)
- Takarazuka Ticket: 3,605 (about $36)
- In-between Train Travel: ~700 yen (about $7)
- Seeing Takarazuka: PRICELESS
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