Arc-en-ciel
Picture Credit: liminalroses | Official Chirashi, from personal collection
English Title: Arc-en-ciel -The Rainbow Over Paris-
Japanese Title: アルカンシェル ～パリに架かる虹～
Romanized Title: Arukanshieru ~Pari ni Kakaru Niji~
Troupe: Flower
Year: 2024
Performances: Takarazuka Grand Theater, 02/10 - 03/01, 03/08 - 03/24; Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, 04/14 - 04/20, 04/23 - 05/26
Shinjin Kouen Performances: Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, 05/02
Based On: Paris during the WWII Nazi occupation
Adaptor/Director: Koike Shuuichirou
Composer: Ozawa Tokifumi and Tada Risa
Choreographer: Wakao Risa, Sakuragi Ryousuke, KAORIalive, Shinkai Eriko, Suzukake Miyuki
Conductor: Uegaki Satoshi
Available on Blu-Ray: Yes (release date 05/16/24)
Available on DVD: Yes (release date 05/16/24)
Scene/Music Cuts: No
Other Cast: Futaba Yuyu, Kotomi Kurara, Hayami Shiosa, Misui Seira, Hanaki Chisato, Yumeki Maika, Sakiha Eme
(※) The role name will be changed to "Paula" for the shinjin kouen performance.
(✩) The role name will be changed to "Front desk clerk" for the shinjin kouen performance.
| † Casting changes for the Takarazuka run (02/10 - 03/24) due to Mineka Towa's absence | ||||
| Emile: Mineka Towa → Izumi Maira | ||||
| Dietrich von Choltitz: Mineka Towa → Izumi Maira | ||||
| Gustav: Izumi Maira → Aoki Tsukasa |
| ⟁ Casting change for the Tokyo run due to Misora Maru's absence from 04/16 to 04/20 | ||||
| Simon: Misora Maru → Taki Mirai |
WARNING!! MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!!
CONTENT WARNING(S):
Extensive Nazi imagery (salute, flags)
Sexual assault
(From Blu-Ray release)
Arc-en-ciel
(From the official Takarazuka Revue web site)
“Is Paris burning?” As the German occupying forces decided to withdraw from France, Hitler issued an order to level the capital. How did the Parisians, who had been resisting the Nazi German invaders, protect their city in this trying time? Taking a dancer who swore to keep the flame of the French revue alive as its main character, this musical is a dramatic description of the events that led to the liberation of Paris. Join us to witness the birth of a grand musical revue in the quintessential and inimitable style of Takarazuka.
The story is set in Paris during the occupation of Nazi Germany. The Jewish director of the music hall Arc-en-ciel de Paris has fled just before the German army’s occupation of France, leaving the headlining singer, Catherine, to take over the production of the revue, while the talented dancer, Marcel Dorin, is assigned to the task of choreography. Marcel, who lacks experience in choreography, clashes with Catherine, making rehearsals difficult. Then Konrad, a cultural control officer in the German army, appears with his adjutant Friedrich and other subordinates in tow. The company members are stunned when the officer high-handedly bans jazz and forces them to perform the Viennese waltz. However, after Konrad leaves, Friedrich suggests they secretly play jazz music, which the battle-weary German soldiers actually want to hear. Although his position as a German officer prevents him from revealing his true thoughts, Friedrich not only loves music and theater but also believes in the power of entertainment to unite the world beyond national borders.
Following Friedrich’s advice, Marcel sets out to choreograph two versions: one a Viennese waltz and the other a jazz dance. It is not an easy task, but Marcel works on the choreography with his remarkable concentration, motivated by the hope of cheering up the people living in Nazi-occupied Paris. Catherine hopes to do the same. Marcel and Catherine gradually grow closer to each other as they rehearse together with the same aspiration.
Meanwhile, Robert, a dancer at the Arc-en-ciel, and other men have secret gatherings on the nights after rehearsals, under the radar of the German army, in order to take back the city of Paris from Nazi Germany. These men hope that Marcel will join them someday.
First, Marcel completes the Viennese waltz. The new revue with this version premieres under the watchful eyes of the German army, and it is a great success. Shortly afterwards, Marcel and the company are called to perform at the hotel where the German army is staying. Konrad makes advances toward her in the hotel, but Marcel and the company members rescue her just in time. That night, Marcel and Catherine share their dreams and passions for the revue, confirming their feelings for each other.
The choreography for the jazz version is finally completed, and the final rehearsal is held, with Friedrich secretly attending to watch. Just as the powerful dance scene choreographed by Marcel reaches its climax, gunshots ring out. Konrad and his men have discovered that the company is secretly planning to perform a jazz version of the revue...
The members of Arc-en-ciel struggle to keep the flame of their revue alive. How will Marcel and Catherine greet the day of the liberation of Paris?
- Final performance for top star Yuzuka Rei and top musumeyaku Hoshikaze Madoka, as well as Maizuki Nagisa, Hozumi Mahiro, Aira Miko and Misato Reina.
- Part of the Takarazuka 110th Anniversary lineup of shows.
- Announced 12/15/23: Shonichi for the Takarazuka run will be pushed out to the 02/10 evening performance, and all performances from 02/09 through the 02/10 morning matinee, as well as the Takarazuka shinjin kouen performance on 02/29, will be cancelled. In addition, the morning matinee performance on 02/18, as well as the evening performances on 02/20 and 03/05 will be cancelled. Reason given: improvement measures to reduce the actresses' overcrowded performance schedule.
- Announced 12/19/23: Shonichi for the Tokyo run will be pushed out to 04/14. The 04/13 performance will be cancelled, and the originally scheduled 2 performances on 04/14 will be consolidated into 1 afternoon performance at 13:30. In addition, the matinee performances on 04/25 and 05/24, as well as the evening performances on 04/18, 05/02, 05/07, and 05/14 will be cancelled. Reason given: improvement measures to reduce the actresses' overcrowded performance schedule.
- Announced 02/06/24: Mineka Towa was announced as absent for the entirety of the Takarazuka run, no reason given (see above for casting changes).
- Announced 03/01/24: All performances on 03/02 and 03/03 were cancelled due to widespread illness among the cast.
- Announced 03/03/24: Continuing from 03/03, all performances through 03/05 were cancelled due to illness.
- Announced 03/05/24: Continuing from 03/05, all performances through 03/07 were cancelled due to illness. Performances will resume on 03/08.
- Announced 04/14/24: Mineka Towa will resume partial performance for the Tokyo run - she will perform only in the main storyline up to Scene 12 of Act 2, as well as in the final parade (Scene 20).
- Announced 04/16/24: Misora Maru, Kiran Rune, and Nanairo Hazuki were announced as absent from the Tokyo run starting 04/16 until further notice, no reason given (see above for casting change).
- Announced 04/17/24: Hanaki Chisato was announced as absent from the Tokyo run starting 04/17 until further notice, no reason given.
- Announced 04/20/24: Kiran Rune and Nanairo Hazuki were announced to resume performing on 04/20.
- Announced 04/21/24: All performances on 04/21 were cancelled, reason given: a high fever occurred for a major performer, so suddenly that there is not sufficient time to arrange for an understudy.
- Announced 04/22/24: Performances announced to resume on 4/23, as 4/22 is a rest day. Misora Maru and Hanaki Chisato were also announced to resume performing on 4/23. Additionally, the Tokyo shinjin kouen performance that was originally scheduled for 04/25 will be moved to 05/02 - due to poor health among the cast, there has been insufficient time to rehearse.
None yet.
Program cover | Le Cinq cover | Blu-Ray / DVD | CD | TCA Press
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