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Review of NEODANDYISM (Star 2006)

by Chioco


My Grades:

Starring Performances: (A+)
Supporting Cast Performances: (A-)
Music: (A)
Staging: (A)

Overall Grade: (A)

Thoughts on the Story

This is the revue portion of Wataru Kozuki's final performance, so there's not much of a story. The revue is about the "neodandyism", or the new aesthetic man. Strange title, but it's fun. I promise.

Thoughts on the Performers

Wataru Kozuki is great. I love her. She's so tall and just so charismatic! You can really sense her energy and enthusiasm throughout the entire performance. She stated in an interview that she always felt huge responsibility as a top star and felt that her time to retire came when the Star troupe was finally able to do a perfect practice of "Omage" in the Rose of Versailles. We'll miss her, but I'm sure she's moving on to greater things.

Yuri Shirahane. What a doll. She's so beautiful. She shines just by being on stage. Her singing has gotten better and she's much calmer than in the Rose of Versailles. She's the new super musumeyaku.

Kei Aran. YES! Finally! She's going to be the top star. But what I REALLY loved about her performance in NEODANDYISM is her energy! I felt that she was really lacking in enthusiasm in a lot of the performances since "Aida", but she really comes alive here. She's finally radiating the energy that I've missed almost since "Prague's Spring". My favorite scene is definitely her solo at the end, I believe that it's "All Alone". Very powerful and emotional.

Reon Yuzuki. Yes, by official order of Star troupe, she's 5th among otokoyaku in this performance. But she really isn't. She has a lot more "star charisma" than either Shio Suzumi or Yo Tatsuki and the directors know it. That must be why she has a lot more appearances alongside of Kei Aran. But anyway, she's just wonderful. Charisma is wayyyy up there and her dancing and singing are great as always. She's going to be one powerful top star!

Shio Suzumi. I love her. She's adorable and a little more assertive here than in previous performances, but she doesn't have many parts that allow her to fully come out and appeal to the audience. The same goes for Yo Tatsuki, whom I think has a lot more "kumicho charisma" than "top charisma. Well, she's still very tall!

Hana Hizuki. She's so cute and energetic, but very powerful too. She's a musumeyaku (like Ai Shirosaki of Moon) that really draws your attention.

Thoughts on the Music

The theme-song is very catchy, as always. The other songs are also well-chosen to represent the theme of "dandyism". There's no weak songs and no weak choreography. It's all staged to really showcase Wataru Kozuki and to re-introduce Kei Aran as the next top-star. Yuri Shirahane, as a talented musumeyaku also makes a lot of appearances.

My favorite scenes are Kei Aran's solo "All by myself", and the act with the very "neo" costumes and music towards the end of the middle.

Thoughts on the Staging

The sets are quite elaborate, the costumes are awesome! There's a lot of Spanish-influenced capes and boots. The glittery "neo" costumes are also very cool. A little different from the flowery, Takarazuka wear.

Conclusion

This is a great show for all Wataru Kozuki, Yuri Shirahane, Kei Aran, and Reon Yuzuki fans. It's not a show that really showcases the entire Star troupe, but it does have clips of solos from the younger members of the troupe. I'm sure that they'll be featured more in Kei Aran's top star debut show. I definitely recommend this, it's a very enjoyable revue~!



Created by Chioco. Last Modification: Wednesday 08 of November, 2006 03:27:44 GMT-0000 by Chioco.

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