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The Rainbow Music Box Factory / Invitation to the Revue



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Picture Credit: The Rainbow Music Box Factory / Invitation to the Revue program


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English Title: The Rainbow Music Box Factory / Invitation to the Revue
Japanese Title: 虹のオルゴール工場 / レビューへの招待
Romanized Title: Niji no Orrugooru Koujou / Rebyuu e no Shoutai

Troupe: Moon / Star
Year: 1963
Performances: Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, 11/2 - 11/25
Shinjin Kouen Performances: n/a

The Rainbow Music Box Factory:

Based On:
Author/Director: Takagi Shirou
Composer: Nakamoto Kiyozumi
Choreographer: Sekiya Yukio
Conductor (Takarazuka): n/a
Conductor (Tokyo): Nakamura Kanefuji

Invitation to the Revue:

Based On:
Author/Director: Takagi Shirou
Composer: Nakamoto Kiyozumi, Terada Takio, Yoshizaki Kenji, Hirose Kenjirou
Choreographer: Oka Masami, Sasaki Kazuo, Agata Youji, Yamada Takashi, Shuri Misao
Conductor (Takarazuka): n/a
Conductor (Tokyo): Nakamura Kanefuji, Izawa Ichirou

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

Cast

RoleCast
Suwa IchirouNachi Wataru (St)
Uematsu MiwakoKisaragi Miwako (St)
MatsumotoKuroki Hikaru (Sen)
Nishikawa / Factory ManagerMizushiro Tamamo (St)
Nagano HoshikoMaki Katsumi (Sen)
Ichirou's grandmotherAmagi Tsukie (St)
Ichirou's fatherMiyama Shigure (Sen)
Ichirou's motherMiyuki Sachiko (M)
TownmasterMiyama Shinobu (St)
Young EmployeesAsadori Chiho (St)
Fujisato Miho (M)
Uchinoe Noboru (St)
Chinami Jun (St)
Takashiro Juri (St)


Senka: Shijou Hideko, Mizuho Youko[1]

Moon: Megumi Sakae, Koyanagi Hizuru, Mitake Shigeru, Kamishima Youko, Tani Chizuru, Shiraho Mayumi, Takigawa Sueko, Sugi Shikiko, Tamagawa Namiko, Miyako Nishiki, Waka Suzuko, Sakura Kaori, Sora Hitomi, Saegusa Natsumi, Kaji Masami, Kaji Hidemi, Chiyozato Shinobu, Wakaba Midori, Ayu Machiko, Suma Nagisa, Kasuga Kyouko, Nishiki Mitsuyo, Shiramine Mariko, Yashioji Mari, Sasa Junko, Manjou Yukari, Miya Yukiko, Akane Miki, Mado Fumiyo, Kashihara Sayori, Kouzuki Noboru, Koshiro Miyako, Izumi Eri, Ooe Ikuno, Hiina Tomoko, Maruyama Midori, Mihama Kaoru, Tomoe Sato, Mizusato Midori, Yashiro Chiyo, Tsukasa Konomi, Yamaki Tomi, Asagumo Tatsumi, Hama Yuriko, Hatsukaze Jun, Onoe Takako, Ichijou Yukari, Oomi Ryuuko, Fuji Mayumi, Mari Kaoru

Star: Wakayama Kazumi, Miwa Hisayuri

Ken-2: Kaoru Kuniko, Asazuki Mario, Suga Harumi, Sen Natsuki, Yashima Sachi, Shiratae Youko, Shiro Katsumi, Matsubara Misa[2], Tamaoka Midori, Fuji Masumi, Yashiro Yumi, Sazanami Rika, Kon Sachiko, Nagisa Ayumi, Ai Miniko, Shirakawa Chisato, Shouji Miharu, Matsuho Misa

Summary

WARNING!! MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!!


(From the English explanation in the original program.)

The Rainbow Music Box Factory


An Explanatory Comment

Beside Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture in the central part of Honshu (the main island of Japan), there is a music box manufacturing factory, reputed to be the largest of its kind in the world.

The output of music boxes at this factory, situated in an environment reminiscent of a Swiss landscape with a clear, blue sky, is no less than 650,000 pieces per month. The greater part of these music boxes are exported to America and all parts of the world. It is said that 80% of the music boxes in use in the United States are products of this factory.

This musical play uses this factory as a setting.

The repertoires at Takarazuka have hitherto been largely composed of those based on Japanese classics or others which have foreign countries as their backgrounds.

In this musical play, a theme from contemporary Japan is adopted for the first time. This novel attempt amply bespeaks the unusual fervor of the author to exploit a new field of Takarazuka drama.

Synopsis

Suwa Ichirou, a young Japanese employee of the Rainbow Music Box Company (the top maker of music boxes), is a diligent worker and a good natured youth.

Suwa Ichirou is very fond of singing. After he placed first in a singing contest held at the factory, he bought a stereo player to seriously devote himself to music. He dreams of going up to Tokyo, training himself as a first-class popular singer and charming his audiences from the stage of a top theater there.

Keeping it a secret from his parents, he sent a letter to Mrs. Matsumoto, the president of the Higashi Entertainment Agency in Tokyo, asking for assistance in his ambition to become a popular singer.

One day that summer, the Higashi Entertainment Agency brought a group of artists to this country town on a lake for public performances. Ichirou was able to meet with President Matsumoto, who refused, however, to take him on without his parents' consent.

Ichirou had a lover, named Uematsu Miwako. She was also in the employ of the same factory where Ichirou worked. She is adamantly opposed to Ichirou going to Tokyo. In tears, she implores Ichirou to discard his vainglorious idea of becoming a popular singer, which to her seems nothing but a fleeting caprice.

It would be far better for them to think of settling down in the peaceful countryside, to lead a contented and happy life. All exhortations by the girl, however, could not prevail upon Ichirou. He retorted, "It is no caprice or whim. I must got to Tokyo. It is my ambition. I have a dream- a big dream!"

When everything was disclosed to Ichirou's parents, the whole family was thrown into an uproar. Taken aback and utterly surprised, the parents lost no time in rushing to the townmaster's house to consult on how best to cope with the situation. Meanwhile, Ichirou was dismayed, because he knew his father was of uncompromising character and would not allow him to go to Tokyo.

That night he couldn't sleep. He had a headache. His grandmother is sympathetic, and tries to console and encourage him. She takes out a stone pillow, which she asks Ichirou to use, claiming it is a marvelous cure for headaches. The miraculous efficacy of the old stone pillow was proven many years ago when his grandfather (suffering from a headache) slept on it, only to find the headache was immediately gone.

Now Ichirou placed his aching head on this stone pillow and before he was aware, he fell into a doze. He had a dream....



Invitation to the Revue


Scene 1 - Prologue

Four young men come out of the orchestra to sing the song "Invitation to the Revue." Then all the members appear and march across the stage singing.

Four Young Men: Nachi Wataru, Asadori Chiho, Fujisato Miho, Uchinoe Noboru

Scene 2 - Jardin Takarazuka

Under the set of a rococco-style frame, a girl sings the song "Jardin Takarazuka."

Singer: Yashioji Mari
Dancers: Takashiro Juri, Kouzuki Noboru

Scene 3 - Invitation to the Takarazuka Revue

A girl singing "Valencia" comes down the Grand Staircase with dozens of young men. Then follows a variety of dances to the songs "Let's Sing Happiness," "Flowers of Revue," "Violet Rock," etc.

Singer (Girl): Maki Katsumi
Singer (Man): Uchinoe Noboru, Fujisato Miho, Nachi Wataru
Singer (Trio): Asadori Chiho, Kisaragi Miwako, Miwa Hisayuri

Scene 4 - Takarasienne

Four men in the previous scene tap dance while singing the song "The One I Love." They are followed by four soldiers who sing the powerful song "Onward! Takarazuka."

Four Soldiers: Mizuho Youko, Miyama Shinobu, Mizushiro Tamamo, Miyama Shigure

Scene 5 - "Onward! Takarazuka" (A)

A stageful of soldiers dance to the tune "Onward! Takarazuka."

Singers: Maki Katsumi, Yashioji Mari

Scene 6 - "Onward! Takarazuka" (B)

Soldiers on parade, and as the music climaxes, all the soldiers are drawn up and dance in one line.

Scene 7 - Song of Laughter

"Song of Laughter" sung by four comedians.

Four Soldiers: Mizuho Youko, Miyama Shinobu, Mizushiro Tamamo, Miyama Shigure

Scene 8 - Invitation to Paris Revue

A stage set with a big accordion. Twelve black men with accordions dance to the song "Musician."

Singer: Kouzuki Noboru

Scene 9 - Accordion

A black man plays the accordion in the background. Black men and women dance to the song "Don't You Worry," dung by three men.

Three Men: Nachi Wataru, Fujisato Miho, Uchinoe Noboru

Scene 10 - Wonderful Paris

A street corner in Paris with men (young and old), tourists, guides, hooligans, vagabonds, policemen, etc. They all sing and dance the happiness of being in Paris.

Scene 11 - Chansons de Paris

Chansons de Paris is a medley on the gorgeously set stage with the Eiffel Tower seen in the background.

Singers: Maki Katsumi, Asadori Chiho, Kisaragi Miwako, Miwa Hisayuri, Yashioji Mari

Toe Dancers: Shijou Hideko, Megumi Sakae, Shiraho Mayumi, Waka Suzuko

Scene 12 - Flowers of Paris

Four girls holding violets step down among the audience and sing.

Four Girls: Nachi Wataru, Asadori Chiho, Fujisato Miho, Uchinoe Noboru

Scene 13 - Can-can

Thirty-six dancers dance the Can-can to the tune of "Flowers of Paris."

Solo Dancer: Takashiro Juri

Scene 14 - Invitation to Latin American Revue

A song and dance featuring Latin American birds.

Singing Bird: Yashioji Mari
Latin Birds: Kaji Masami, Kaji Hidemi, Chiyozato Shinobu, Akane Miki

Scene 15 - A Golden Coconut

A pickpocket snatches a trunk from the hand of a foreigner while he is singing. Hence a dance of the pickpocket and the foreigner running after him to the quick tempo of music.

A foreigner: Fujisato Miho
Singer (Women): Maki Katsumi
Singer (Man): Nachi Wataru
Anna: Kuroki Hikaru

Scene 16 - Silk Hat

Four girls with sticks dance to to the tune sung by a couple of girls in silk hats.

A Couple of Girls: Kisaragi Miwako, Miwa Hisayuri
Silk Hat Girls: Chinami Jun, Chiyozato Shinobu, Akane Miki, Koshiro Miyako

Scene 17 - Star of New York

Sixteen girls are dancing to the song sung by a gentleman in a silk hat, when another gentleman appears from inside the star in the center of the stage.

Gentlemen: Asadori Chiho, Uchinoe Noboru

Scene 18 - Skyscrapers

With the song called "Broadway Melody" sung by a gentleman, dancers from the previous scenes reappear one after another and dance together at the end of the scene.

Duet Dancer (Man): Amagi Tsukie
Duet Dancer (Woman): Kuroki Hikaru

Scene 19 - Takarasiennes

A song by three comedians in front of the curtains.

Comedians: Miyama Shinobu, Mizushiro Tamamo, Mizuho Youko

Scenes 20-24 - Finale

Etoile: Maki Katsumi

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Footnotes:
  1. I had thought Mizuho Youko was in Flower Troupe at the time, but it is possible she was in Senka.
  2. The name listed in the program is Matsubara Misa (松原美沙), which is actually a misprint listed at least twice. There was an actress with the name Matsubara Miho (松原三保), and an actress with the name Matsuho Misa (松保美砂) in the 48th class. Matsuho Misa is listed later in the program, so it is likely her name that was misprinted.


Created by caithion. Last Modification: Saturday 05 of September, 2020 13:56:20 GMT-0000 by caithion.

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