English Title: The Dropped Gift^[1] / New York Fantasia
Japanese Title: 素襖落 / ニューヨーク幻想曲
Romanized Title: Suou Otoshi / Nyuu Yooku Gensoukyoku

Troupe: Star
Year: 1953
Performances: Imperial Theater, 08/08 - 08/31
Shinjin Kouen Performances: n/a

The Dropped Gift:

Based On: The Kyougen of the same name.
Author/Director: Mizuta Shigeru
Composer: Tsukui Yuuki, Sakai Kyou
Choreographer: Zenitani Nobuaki
Conductor (Takarazuka): n/a
Conductor (Tokyo):

New York Fantasia:

Based On:
Author/Director: Watanabe Takeo
Art Director: Konishi Matsushige
Special Assistant Director: Takagi Shirou
Composer: Kawasaki Ichirou, Sakai Kyou, Yamane Hisao, Tsutsumi Gorou, Nakai Mitsuharu, Moriyasu Masaru
Choreographer: Yasumoto Shinji, Tamada Yuuzou, Terashima Tadashi
Conductor (Takarazuka): n/a
Conductor (Tokyo):

Available on DVD: No
Available on Blu-Ray: No
DVD Scene/Music Cuts: n/a

Role	Cast
Tarou-kaja	Amatsu Otome
Daimyo	Minami Yuuko
Takaramochi-no-shin (Daimyo's uncle)	Kamiyo Nishiki
Jirou-kaja	Tokiwa Midori

Other Cast: Fukamidori Natsuko (vocal senka), Awaji Michiko (vocal senka), Kuroki Hikaru (dance senka), Asagiri Sanae (dance senka), Kamiyo Nishiki (acting senka), Amatsu Otome (Japanese dance senka), Minami Yuuko (Japanese dance senka), Uji Kaoru (Moon), Amagi Tsukie, Shiokaze Michimi, Ajiro Makoto, Mayumi Hikari, Narumi Ushio, Aoba Shigeru, Yumi Azusa, Nagara Shinobu, Suzukari Mayumi, Momoyama Chitose, Wakaura Asao, Megumi Yutaka, Miyama Shinobu, Sakuraji Michiyo, Naniwatsu Mifune, Wakatake Shouko, Ushio Chinami, Shirahama Masami, Sumi Hanayo, Chinami Ryuuko, Miyabi Noriko, Mizushiro Tamamo, Tamazato Yoshiko, Onoe Sakura, Jou Kazuyo, Tamae Midori, Yui Makiko, Kawagiri Masako, Misuzu Machiko, Utsubo Chiharu, Mikado Kimiko, Maki Taeko, Honjou Tamaki, Kamishima Youko, Yuuzuki Saeko, Yumeji Kayoko, Niji Kumiko, Hasegawa Toshiko, Miharu Youko, Kureha Sumi, Shiki Kaoru

WARNING!! MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!!

(Note: From English-language pages of the original program.)



Among the servants of a certain Daimyo, or feudal lord, were two named Tarou-kaja and Jirou-kaja (This dance drama was adapted from the Japanese "Kyogen" farce. In nearly every "Kyogen" a person named Tarou-kaja appears as the principal character.)

On a certain day, the Daimyo calls Tarou-kaja and commands him:

"Tomorrow I would like to start out on a journey to worship at the Grand Shrine of Ise. Since my uncle, Takaramochi-no-shin, has frequently asked to be invited on such an occasion, I desire that you go and invite him."

Tarou-kaja at once goes to the house of Takaramochi-no-shin, who declares:

"Starting out tomorrow is all too sudden, I can't possibly start out too soon. As long as my nephew, the Daimyo, is going to worship at the Grand Shrine of Ise, however, I am certain that you will be accompanying him. This is truly a felicitous occasion."

So saying, the uncle feasts Tarou-kaja with wine and fish, and presents him with a "Suou" (a suit of ceremonial dress).

On the way back, Tarou-kaja begins to think over and reaches the conclusion that if it becomes known that he has received a "Suou" as a gift, his master, the Daimyo, is bound to take it away from him. He thus takes great pains to hide the costume.

Meanwhile, the Daimyo and Jirou-kaja are eagerly awaiting Tarou-kaja's return. Tarou-kaja comes back but he is strangely fidgety. The Daimyo hits upon a stratagem and orders Tarou-kaja to dance.

Tarou-kaja dances with difficulty, attempting all the while to keep the costume hidden. It is finally discovered, however, by the Daimyo and Jirou-kaja.

(The "Kyogen" was originally a comic interlude in the Noh drama, but later became independent. The Noh, a dance drama for the nobility, used a recitative called "Utai". On the contrary, the "Kyogen" used ordinary dialogue and was easily understood by the people in general. The relation between the two may be likened to that between Grand Opera and Opera Comique. "Suou-Otoshi" is presented frequently as a dance-drama in the Kabuki. The performance of the late Kikugorou VI as Tarou-kaja was considered unsurpassable.)

---

Principal Players: Kamiyo Nishiki, Fukamidori Natsuko, Awaji Michiko, Kuroki Hikaru, Asagiri Sanae, Uji Kaoru, Amagi Tsukie, Shiokaze Michimi, Ajiro Makoto, Mayumi Hikari, Yumi Azusa, Sumi Hanayo, Miyabi Noriko, Onoe Sakura, Jou Kazuyo^[2], Hasegawa Toshiko, etc.

"New York Fantasia" is the first work co-produced by Konishi Matsushige, costume designer of the Takarazuka Revue Company, and Watanabe Takeo, choreographer of the same company, who have returned from their three-month inspection trip to the United States.

With intention of producing some novel show different from the usual so-called Takarazuka version of the American revues, they tackled this piece from a new angle.

Introducing famous place in New York one after another, they put in the show much romanticism which can for this show laid emphasis on the stage art-- especially on the color of stage settings.

Scene 1: Brilliant Metropolis

Beneath the bright signs on the skyline, behind Broadway on 5th Avenue, people of different nationalities dance past.

Trio: Amagi Tsukie, Kuroki Hikaru, Kamiyo Nishiki
Traffic Officer: Mayumi Hikari
American: Shiokaze Michimi
Arabian: Wakaura Asao
Chinese: Sakuraji Michiyo
Indian: Kawagiri Masako
Englishman: Ajiro Makoto
Guide: Uji Kaoru
Japanese Girl: Hasegawa Toshiko

Etc.

Scene 2: Nostalgia

Conga, jungle gentlemen dance.

Jungle Men: Wakaura Asao, Shirahama Masami, Mizushiro Tamamo, Tamae Midori, Yui Makiko, Kawagiri Masako, Miharu Youko, Shiki Kaoru

Scene 3: Jungle Festa

The jungle king and queen appear. The men, women, and animals dance.

Jungle King: Amagi Tsukie
Jungle Queen: Asagiri Sanae

Etc.

Scene 4: Rain in Street

A crowd is moving down Broadway in the misty rain. A young man and girl pass each other in the crowd, and the young man stops, struck by the woman's beauty.

American: Shiokaze Michimi
Young Woman: Ajiro Makoto
Young Man: Momoyama Chitose
Girl: Onoe Sakura
Woman: Honjou Tamaki

Scene 5: Umbrella

In the rain, men and women sing and dance with umbrellas.

Young Man: Momoyama Chitose
Girl: Onoe Sakura

Etc.

Scene 6: Lost Labor

The young man runs through the rain. He spots the girl across the street and it seems as if they will cross to each other, but there is an accident as he goes to her.

Young Man: Momoyama Chitose
Girl: Onoe Sakura

Etc.

Scene 7: Miracle on 5th Ave. (Young Nun)

The young nun Adelia cannot forget the face of Frederick, who she met on Christmas. It comes to her everyday, even when she prays to God.

Frederick: Amagi Tsukie
Adelia: Chinami Ryuuko
Nun (Singer): Aoba Taeko^[3]
Frederick's Shadow: Kamishima Youko

Etc.

Scene 8: Miracle on 5th Ave. (Temptation)

Frederick invites Adelia out on the town, but she considers removing her habit a sin. She puts on a red evening dress and dances with Frederick in a tuxedo.

Frederick: Amagi Tsukie
Adelia: Chinami Ryuuko
Saints: Shiokaze Michimi, Mayumi Hikari
Etc.

Scene 9: Miracle on 5th Ave. (Delight)

The hundreds of stores on 5th Avenue are lined with windows. Mysterious mannequins are posed in those windows. Frederick goes there to appreciate the gems and gloves on display, and brings Adelia. The mannequins and flower girls dance. Frederick becomes bewitched and abandons Adelia.

Frederick: Amagi Tsukie
Adelia: Chinami Ryuuko
Enchantress: Miyabi Noriko

Etc.

Scene 10: Miracle on 5th Ave. (Death)

Left behind, Adelia enters a nightmare. She dies because of her worry for Frederick. The saints appear, judge her sins, and lead her to God.

Frederick: Amagi Tsukie
Saints: Mayumi Hikari, Narumi Ushio
Adelia: Chinami Ryuuko
Enchantress: Miyabi Noriko

Etc.

Scene 11: Rumor

The missuses of the narrow streets of Brooklyn meet to share rumors.

Missus A: Fukamidori Natsuko
Missus B: Awaji Michiko
Missus C: Ajiro Makoto
Master: Narumi Ushio
Town Woman: Nagara Shinobu
Town Man: Momoyama Chitose
Postman: Wakaura Asao
Tommy: Miyama Shinobu
Painter: Sumi Hanayo
Boy: Kuroki Hikaru

Scene 12: Rehearsal

Rehearsals at a certain theater. Unwilling young men are pulled in to dance by the sound of a clarinet. The boys are on the edge of collapse when the sound of the clarinet sends them flying. The player disappears in a flash of light.

Clarinet Man: Yoshioka Nobuo (Special Guest)^[4]
Electrician: Shirahama Masami
Actress: Miyabi Noriko
Cleaning Woman: Misuzu Machiko

Etc.

Scene 13: Broadway Life

The trio of an artist, a writer and a beautiful woman. A comical portrayal of how they got where they are.

Man: Amagi Tsukie
Woman: Awaji Michiko
Man: Kamiyo Nishiki

Scene 14: Central Park

A Sunday afternoon in Central Park. An older couple sits on a bench and reminisces about beautiful moments in their past.

Old Woman: Shiokaze Michimi
Woman: Miyama Shinobu
Old Man: Ajiro Makoto
Man: Narumi Ushio

Etc.

Scene 15: Dream

Two women in red appear. They pull the coat off an old man and he transforms into a smart young man in a tuxedo.

Old Man: Sumi Hanayo
Women: Utsubo Chiharu, Niji Kumiko

Scene 16: Snow

In the midst of a bewildering snow, waltzing girls appear. A young man sees his lovers there and followed her, but can't find her. Unexpectedly, her form floats alone....

Young Man: Sumi Hanayo
Lover: Onoe Sakura

Etc.

Scene 17: Grand Waltz

The women in red dance in a large circle. The young man dances with his lover. The lovers mother appears with her fiance.The fiance and the young man fight. The fiance fires a pistol, and hits the lover. At that moment the young man's dream ends and the old man wakes up.

Fiance: Mayumi Hikari
Mother: Yumi Azusa
Young Man: Sumi Hanayo
Lover: Onoe Sakura

Etc.

Scene 18: Black Rhythm^[4]

The melancholy, wildness, and sorrow of the black experience. Men and women dance to the blues, boogie-ing as they move to the music.

Negro Man: Amagi Tsukie
Negro Woman: Kuroki Hikaru
Boogie Man 1: Sumi Hanayo
Boogie Woman 1: Hasegawa Toshiko

Etc.

Scene 19: Song

Singer: Fukamidori Natsuko

Scene 20: Four-Part Dream

A cowboy rockette dance. A four-part dream of mischievous children and the quirky answers of their teacher.

Teacher: Yumi Azusa
Davie: Sumi Hanayo
Gigi: Uji Kaoru

Etc.

Scene 21: Metropolitan Museum

The teacher leads her students to the Metropolitan Museum where they see the 15th century Gobelins Tapestry and the children pester her with questions. But the teacher is very puzzled. Then a pistol shot can be heard and chaos breaks out. At the sound of the pistol shot the prince and princess in the tapestry drop their long mantles and are suddenly wearing mambo costumes.

Teacher: Yumi Azusa
Davie: Sumi Hanayo
Gigi: Uji Kaoru
Princess: Asagiri Sanae
Prince: Kamiyo Nishiki

Etc.

Scene 22: Rumbelos

In a renaissance setting, men and women dance the rumba.

Rumba Man 1: Kamiyo Nishiki
Singer: Nagara Shinobu

Etc.

Scene 23: China Serenade

A rococo Chinese setting. Young Chinese men and women dance and men with umbrellas dance.

Trio Woman: Suzukari Mayumi
Trio Man: Megumi Yutaka
Trio Man: Tamae Midori
Umbrella Men: Wakaura Asao, Shirahama Masami, Kawagiri Masako, Yui Makiko
Beautiful Women of Bells: Ushio Chinami, Kamishima Youko, Miharu Youko, Shiki Kaoru
Singer: Uji Kaoru

Scene 24: Finale

Twins Sancha and Goncha are in love with Nino, and sing a back-and-forth duet. A man and woman do a tap dance while the rest of the troupe appears.

Tap Man: Amagi Tsukie
Tap Woman: Kuroki Hikaru
Nino: Sumi Hanayo
Sancha: Fukamidori Natsuko
Goncha: Awaji Michiko

Et al.


Any other interesting or important stuff.


None yet.

Poster	DVD	VHS	CD
None Yet	None Yet	None Yet	None Yet