Are more people going to be added later?  If I counted right, at the moment only 64 out of tsukigumi's 86 members are present (they'll be down from 89 after retirements *sniff*)  Arex in particular looks much tinier than one would expect from a Theater Drama City show.

I'm very squeeful about all of the senka people.  Can't Misa Noeru just join the troupe?  (With some way of having both her and Taki-san around, of course)  This is the fourth tsukigumi show in a row that Misa Noeru has been in (PariSora, Osaka Samurai, Mahoroba, and now Tales from Hoffman).  Maybe she's getting tired of moving troupes and is unofficially part of tsuki?  Speaking of Taki-san, princesslucia, your dream is one step closer to being true.

Edit: Looks like Misa Noeru was with hoshigumi a lot in 2006.  Maybe she likes sticking with one troupe for a year or so and getting to know them a little.

Also, right now the cast lists for Tales from Hoffman are exactly the same.  Color me confused.  Role switch, maybe? 

Arex:
Senka: Yashiro Kou, Ban Akira

Sena Jun, Ayano Kanami, Izumo Aya, Kitajima Mami, Kiriya Hiromu, Otoki Sunao, Amano Hotaru, Ryuu Masaki, Ayazuki Seri, Asahana Rinka, Shirahana Remi, HIbiki Reona, Takachi Ao

Hollywood Lover:

Senka: Isono Chihiro, Itsumine Aki

Oozora Yuuhi, Shirosaki Ai, Koshino Ryuu, Hanase Mizuka, Ryouga Haruhi, Takaki Amane, Kiryuu Sonoka, Suzushiro Marina, Touka Yurino, Hihou Kokoro, Shiki Erio, Atsuki Renka, Miyume Himari, Enoki Touya, Kouzuki Ruu, Kagetsu Miyako, Ayao June, Mishou Kazuki, Ayahoshi Rion, Kahou Shiori, Shimon Yuriya, Saki Akane, Ranno Hana, Maino Yuka, Marin Kanna, Tsuzuki Mia

Tales from Hoffman

Senka: Misa Noeru

Mihou Aya, Aoki Izumi, Seijou Kaitou, Aoba Michiru, Moeka Yuria, Hazaki Mana, Asumi Rio, Yumesaki Nene, Ryuuki Kazuto, Isuzu Hikari, Uzuki Hayate, Remi Kurea, Kotone Kazuha, Mizuha Kanato, Shirayuki Sachika, Urara Moe, Chinami Karan, Akuzuki Saya, Maai Suzuka, Houzuki An, Kijou Mitsuru, Hanahi Mira, Sana Yuzaha, Hoshiki Tsubasaue

So I keep on meaning to post more about the schedule stuff, only I'm finding that most people have already said a lot of what I wanted to say.  But I'll give it a shot anyway.

There's some concern about Asako being typecast, and it's probably pretty valid.  That being said, I'm still happy about Me and My Girl.  Tsukigumi has unfortunately gotten stuck with a lot of substandard material in the last couple of years.  Asako has not gotten the treatment she deserves.  I would rather see her get a guaranteed good comedy role over a more serious role that might turn out to be a clunker.  Besides, since Me and My Girl is something she's been wanting to do, she'll really throw herself into it.

Does it make me selfish that I mostly just want Kiriyan to end up with a really interesting role with a lot of stage time? -_-;;;;;;  I'm embarrassed to admit that I've never actually seen the '95 Me and My Girl, so I'm not so familiar with the roles.  The idea of Kiriyan in drag definitely intrigues me, but I can also see the argument for having Yuuhi be the one to throw herself at Asako.  Out of curiosity, could someone tell me the benefits of playing either Gerald or Sir John roles?

In other news, the announcement of The Tales of Hoffman is probably good news for all younger siennes.  Since Morie and Mirio are off doing Tales of Hoffman, hopefully others like Maggie and Masaki have a better chance of getting good roles in either Hollywood Lover or Arex.  Ideally everyone will end up with something juicy.

Regardless, it looks like an exciting schedule next year.  Right now I'm signed on to work in Japan until August 2008, meaning I can see everything in the Tokyo area that has been announced.  Depending on whether or not I extend my contract, the next schedule announcement might be more angsty for spoiled ole yours truly -_-;

I accidentally hit a wrong button and deleted all of what I had written.  So this is the somewhat shorter version: Kiriyan has been announced as being in Arex, tsukigumi's upcoming Theater Drama City show.  Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that means with rehearsal schedules and everything that she's going to be staying in tsuki for the time being.  The same goes for Yuuhi, who will be having a Bow Hall at the same time.  Yes, I know you all told me that Hankyu probably wouldn't move her, but Hankyu isn't always logical and I was worried.  It's not that I didn't want Kiriyan to be top star, it's that I was really worried that if they made her the next top star of hana that she was going to go the way of Kashige.  And in my very biased opinion, she deserves a lot more than that.

Hopefully what will happen is that Asa will (sadly) retire sometime in the next few years and Kiriyan will take over.  I suppose there's still a chance of Yuuhi taking over for a while.  Unfortunately now it's back to worrying about if Kiriyan will ever be promoted to top star due to illness.  I try to tell myself that it's not worth worrying about since I'm not a doctor, I don't have her medical records, and therefore have no idea what's going on there.  Besides, she hasn't missed a show since Bridge of Smiles, Bridge of Tears all the way back in 2003.  I guess having Finch is a good luck charm.  (I read that she bought him during the period that she was sick to cheer herself up).

In any case, with Kiriyan and Yuuhi out of the way, that leaves Yumiko and Un-chan as the candidates for Osa's replacement.  Given that Yumiko just got transferred to yukigumi, Un-chan seems the more logical choice.  I suppose that if she gets promoted then Sou Kazuho and Aine Harei will be bumped up?  (Assuming they don't bring anyone new in to do the nibante and sanbante roles).

*lets deep breath out* Whew.
.

Both Takigawa Sueko AND Yoshizuki Eri are retiring?!?!  Two of my favorite (if not my favorite period) support siennes?!?!?  These guys don't get major major roles, but I've always thought that they're part of the glue that holds tsukigumi together.  Hopefully they're both moving onto things in their life that make them happy, but this still greatly sadden selfish ole audience member me.  Especially since unlike retiring top stars, we won't necessarily know what ends up happening to them.

Not to be too down, but if Eri and Sueko both retire AND Hankyu moves Kiriyan AND Asa and Mihoko retire soon, I feel like a major hole is going to be torn into my tsukigumi loving heart.  There are many different people who I love in my troupe, but I'm going to get very grumpy if I have to deal with losing too many of them at once.  Maybe it's just that I'm relatively new to this fandom (about six months now and look at me -_-), so I guess this is the first time someone I really love has announced they're retiring.  Unfortunately due to the nature of Zuka I guess people are constantly being transferred and retiring.

If I camp out overnight at the Tokyo Takarazua theater is there any chance I can get tachimi for the last show of Mahoroba?  I think I may definitely need to write fan letters to both of them, although I'd probably just end up mailing them to the theater.  I wonder who they're going to move up to vice-kumichou...

Speaking of Mahoroba, the final poster is out and it's different than the one I have a chirashi of.  It's too bad that the chirashi I have is sort of bent, because it might actually be rare.  However, it has Mihoko, Kiriyan, and Yuuhi, all of whom look great.  I think I'm going to require the poster when it goes on sale.

*edit* I just took a look at the tsukigumi takawiki page.  The next most senior member after Yoshizuki Eri is Kitajima Mami, so I'm guessing she'll be the next vice-kumichou.  Interestingly enough after her comes Yuuhi and Asako.  Although even if those two are still sticking around for a while I'm not sure if they'd want to want to make people who are already extremely busy have extra responsbility.  *grumble* All of this trying to think about who is going to retire when makes me grumpy...

So out of my shiny new things, I decided to start with Les Bijoux Brilliants, as I was in the mood for a revue last night.


So overall, Les Bijoux Brilliants was shiny, even with the cut scenes.  It had my troupe being their wonderful selves and it was fun.

Am I too constantly positive in my reviews?  I think what ends up happening is that I 1) end up only writing up stuff that I really like and 2) I'm subconsciously scared of pissing off anyone's fans -_-;

The Mahoroba/Magician's Melacholy page is up.  There's not much there yet, but there is a summary.  I know there's always an official English one with all Grand Theater shows, but I might try to hack this one for my own amusement/curiosity.

I'm contemplating taking a trip down to the Kansai area for this, as I get some time off that I can only use in August or September.  However, I will have just been there only a few weeks before for Soragumi's performance, so I'm not sure if I want to spend the money it would take.

Will have to see how my summer finances/schedule end up.

In other news, Osaka Samurai tickets go on sale tomorrow.  Wish me luck.

Okay, so here's part one of my attempt at translation. I gotta warn you that this isn't my strong point and I apologize for any inaccuracies. I really hope my Japanese teachers aren't weaping somewhere. If anyone feels like helping me with mistakes, I'd be very grateful.

This is from The Takarazuka III: Moon Troupe, which I think was published in 2003. Either that or the beginning of 2004. Kiriyan, Rika, and Saeko all got little features to go along with their interviews, and Kiriyan's was about Finch. I decided to give this one a go because A) it's about Kiriyan, and B) Finch doesn't use keigo.

This is only the first paragraph out of about five, so I have a ways to go.