Becca's Guide to Takarazuka-ing in Tokyo, Part 1: Takarazuka Performances in Tokyo

[matataku_hoshi]

Anyone remember how I mentioned this way back when?  It's actually been done for a while now, but it's taken me until now to post it.  I'm procrastinating on something else.  Go figure -_-;;

Any feedback or comments would be appreciated ^^

Takarazuka Performances in Tokyo

Why Tokyo?  Because I live in nearby Saitama and I have the most experience with theaters in that area.  In contrast, I’ve only been to the Takarazuka Grand Theater twice. 

There are three theaters that are involved with Takarazuka in Tokyo:

Tokyo Takarazuka Theater 

The first and the biggest is the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater.  It seats about 2000 people. 

Please check out the Takarazuka Wikipedia for a description of a typical performance. 

Shows at the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater first play at the Takarazuka Grand Theater in the Kansai region for six weeks.  After the troupe gets a two week break, they transfer to Tokyo for another six weeks.

Each troupe plays at the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater on a rotating basis.  The order for 2008 is Star, Snow, Cosmos, Moon, Flower, Star again, Snow again, and then Cosmos again (Moon will then get the first show of 2009).  In between Grand Theater performances each troupe does smaller performances at other theaters. 

SS tickets are 10,000 yen, S tickets 8000 yen, A tickets 5500 yen, and B tickets are 3500 yen.  Tickets for the 16^th row of the B section on the second floor are 2500 yen.  Standing room behind the second floor 16^th row B section tickets are 1500 yen.  The last two can only be bought on the day of the performance.  The majority of tickets are S class.

With the exception of the five day period in which an old show is moved out and a new one is moved in, the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater has performances year round.  For anyone who is considering coming over Christmas, note that the last show of the year usually ends on the 24^th.  The first show of the year usually starts on January 2nd.  

Nippon Seinenkan

The second theater is the Nippon Seinenkan (in English, the Japanese Youth Hall).  It seats about 1000 people.  Shows that play here usually first start as either a Bow Hall or Theater Drama City show.  Even though they play at the same theater in Tokyo, the theater where the show originated makes a difference in the price.  Bow Hall shows are typically less extravagant, have a smaller cast, and do not usually feature the top otokoyaku of a troupe1.  This translates into a cheaper ticket price of 5000 yen for A-class tickets and 4000 yen for B-class tickets. 

Theater Drama City shows, on the other hand, are more likely to have a bigger budget, a larger cast, and to feature the top otokoyaku.  A-class tickets typically sell for 7000 yen and B-class tickets for 5000 yen.

Both Bow Hall and Theater Drama City shows are almost always two act musicals.  There’s usually no revue half like a Grand Theater show, but there is often a mini-revue after the end of the second act with dancing done to songs from the show.  

Bow Hall shows usually run for about two hours with one intermission.  Theater Drama City shows run closer to two and a half hours, once again with one intermission.

The Nippon Seinenkan is smaller than the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, but I’m a big fan of its more intimate atmosphere.  Second floor back row seats are a lot better at the Nippon Seinenkan than at the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater. 

There is no set order as to when which troupe will play at the Nippon Seinenkan.  Shows typically run for about one week.  Hankyu does not own the Nippon Seinenkan and instead just rents it.  Depending on the year, about four or five shows play at the Nippon Seinenkan.

There are no “day-of only” tickets for the Nippon Seinenkan.  Once a performance is sold out, it’s truly sold out.

Nissay Theater

The third location is the Nissay Theater.  It’s right around the corner from the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater.  Usually one show a year is played here in September for several weeks.  2008’s Nissay Theater show is going to be The Great Gatsby, starring Moon Troupe top star Sena Jun.  Aran Kei also had a show here when she was a nibante.  Often Nissay Theater shows are western musicals.  There is no official revue half like a Grand Theater show, but there is almost always a small mini-revue at the end themed around songs from the show.  Shows that play at the Nissay Theater usually play only in Tokyo.  

A tickets usually sell for 7000 yen and B tickets for 5000 yen.  Like the Nippon Seinenkan, there are no tickets that are specifically set aside to be sold the day of the performance.

Like Nippon Seinenkan shows, there is no set order as to which troupe will get the Nissay Theater.  

Touring Shows

Ironically enough, most shows on a nationwide tour have at least a couple of dates near both Tokyo and Takarazuka City.  Which venue national tours play at varies by the performance.  

Shows Not in Tokyo

Sadly not everything Takarazuka related plays in Tokyo.  Smaller Bow Hall shows led by younger otokoyaku often only have a Bow Hall run.  Some shows also only play at the Umeda Arts Theater in Osaka or the Chunichi Theater in Kyushu.

Unfortunately in the case of these smaller Bow Hall shows there is usually no immediate DVD release.  However, these shows are still recorded and seem to eventually appear either on Sky Stage a few months after the performance or on DVD if the show’s leading otokoyaku is eventually promoted to top star.

For the truly desperate, this leaves two choices: 1) Get Sky Stage or find a friend who does.  2) Go to Takarazuka.  It’s tough being a fan, isn’t it?

Comments

[sumirepanther.livejournal.com]

Wow! That's absolutely awesome!! A great analysis on pricing of the Seinenkan tickets - originally from Bow Hall or Theater Drama City :D
(Haha, I'm still not convinced why I had to pay yen 7,000 for A-"R"ex and yen 5,000 for Hollywood Lover)

One correction :
the Chunichi Theater in Kyushu
Chunichi Theater is in Nagoya. And you may want to add Hakataza Theater in Fukuoka under "Shows Not in Tokyo"

Thank you for your effort ♥♥

[wao-wao.livejournal.com]

This is really great, Becca. The only tiny little thing that popped into my head was when you mentioned the intermissions. Are they any shorter for small-theater shows? The Grand Theater's 30-minute intermission always seemed long to me, compared to plays here in America.

Other than that, all I can say is ごくろうさま! *goes on to read the next one*