palmedfire | Thoughts on retirements

So.

Mizu is retiring.

This is not unexpected.

I am... sad yes, but not upset the way a lot of people are. Despite that fact that she was the first Takarazuka star I fell in love with, I'm not upset. She had a good run as top star from what I can tell, and I am very interested to see what she does in her post-Zuka career.

I do not get that upset when I find out a star, or any 'sienne is retiring. Which is apparently not typical for a Zuka fan. I know part of this for me is distance. I'm not in Japan. I don't get to go to the shows, don't even get to see the shows until months after they've closed, if at all. I'm not heavily into the fandom. I don't have the emotional investment a lot of fans do.

And part of it, I know is my background. I grew up backstage at Broadway shows. I know better than many exactly how demanding and rigorous even relatively minor roles can be. Most Broadway stars, especially women don't stay with a show for very long. Too vocally demanding. I'm use to seeing stars come and go. It is an accepted part of theatre for me. So when a Zuka star retires, I may be sad, but it's hard to be upset. It's what happens.

Please don't think I'm trying to belittle those who are emotionally invested, who do get upset when retirements are announced. I'm just trying to figure out why I don't. Part of me wishes I did.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

yukinojou

I think part of the Broadway/Western musical theatre vs Takarazuka thing is that after a very intense period of engagement (for fanclubs - basically seeing their star every day for half a year at iri/de plus multiple shows) and the steady progress from the rockette line to stardom, they're suddenly left with either nothing or two-three shows of a few weeks each per year, with no iri/de, and no DVDs. I can see where the transition would be hard.

(A better comparison may be the end of a favourite show. I certainly felt like that when Tanz der Vampire got cancelled in Warsaw - a joyful last performance followed by utter shock over it being the last time I would see this group of people doing that, precisely.)

From:

palmedfire

Oh I agree. I understand why fans are upset. And in a way I envy them because they do have that level of emotional commitment. I just... don't. And I kinda feel bad because I don't. Like it makes me less of a Takarazuka fan or something.

(Oh gods, when Phantom of the Opera closes on Broadway, I'm going into mourning for a week. That was my childhood! No other show is allowed to play at that theatre!)

From:

yukinojou

I didn't quite get what it's all about until I went to Japan and felt the - zeitgeist, I guess, the intensity of that experience. Iri/de really is something else, especially when the Sienne in question actually notices you, and that was me not in a club or anyting. Having that as a regular experience to look forward to must be addictive, though the anticipation of eventual sorrow also makes the joy of supporting an actress all the better.

(I'll kick

masahi over here. Old Cats fan, so she should be able to tell us if we're after the right thing ;))

From:

masahi

I'd definitely agree on this.

I've done the final run of two versions of Cats - Broadway in 2001 and London in 2002, and while the fans loved it and mourned it, nothing can compare to just how insanely intense the fanclub and fan-aspects of Takarazuka are.

A good example from when were there was when a girl who was clearly from a tiny group of fans of a Siennes who didn't even have a spot on the fanclub lineup met her star. The actress spoke to her and the rest of the group for a few minutes, then headed for the carpark. The girl promptly went completely to pieces, sobbing hysterically, and had to all but be carried away by her friends.

While I've known a lot of deeply invested people in Western and central European musical theatre, I have never, ever seen anything like it at the stagedoor. The closest I've ever seen was when Mate Kamaras performed in Hungary - the place was mobbed with hysterical teenage girls, but that's because he brings the totty and they were easily distracted ;)

From:

palmedfire

Well, from what little I know fandom of all stripes tends to be a little more... intense over in Japan. And yet so painfully respectful. It's truly fascinating.

Btw, I should let you know that my father worked with Steve Barton. Original Broadway Cast of PooO and all. He agrees Barton was far too young, but also mentioned that Barton had gotten a little... odd? before he died? Not sure what Dad meant there, and he does have a tendency to be a bit hard on folks he doesn't like.

From:

masahi

Eeh! Nifty! No wonder you're so fond of the Phantom stuff.

As for Steve, well, there was the depression after his wife turned into a psychotic hos-beast. Plus, it was PotO which screwed up his leg and ruined his dancing career as well, and he was having real problems with it closer to the end of his life. As well as heart problems. Poor guy was a mess.

From:

palmedfire

Yes, when PooO closes I will cry and mourn for weeks. And probably go see the final performance 'cause I can. And go drinking with everyone in the cast and crew I know, also because I can.

Ah, the depression is probably what my father was talking about. And I didn't know he'd messed up his leg! I should ask Dad about that, except he's near impossible to talk to about theatre anymore. He's got no respect for any theater that isn't American and/or British. Or at least english-language :[

From:

masahi

Apparently, there was a severe fall off one of the moving parts of the Phantom set or through one of the traps. I think I heard that his knee was broken or damaged to the point that he could barely dance at all. It's very visible in Tanz der Vampire in some shows, when you can see how much pain the poor guy was in.

Oh, been there and done that. I'm into Japanese, Hungarian and German theatre more than anything, because London and Broadway are so dull now, compared to the continent and Japan. The long runs can drain the life out of some shows. That's especially why I love HUngary and Japan - the changeovers between shows are so frequent that it always stays fresh and energetic :)

From:

palmedfire

Wait, I think I sorta remember hearing about that! I think the main trap was involved... You'll have to bear with me, I was five when the show opened. Maybe I'll ask mom.

I agree about the long run thing, though Phantom's long run did fund me going to private school for high school and then me not needing loans to go to a private college for my Bachlor's degree. But I think you're right. There's not a lot of innovation, because people can always just go see the shows they've seen before and liked. I think the regional theatre scene here is a little better, but I don't know. I got spoiled regarding production values growing up, and now I'm too much of a snob.

I has to get into more continental theatre. Feh, if only I was passibly fluent in anything other than English...

From:

masahi

I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to local tours and things like that because, unfortunately, production values drop as the tours continue on in the UK :S I saw the worst production of Joseph ever as part of a tour with a bunch of guys who had competed on TV for the role and lost. It was painful to watch.

And yet, I'll go to Hungary, to see a show I only vaguely know the plot of and watch it with complete glee, because their casts scorch the stage in ways I haven't seen in English for a long time. If you ever get a chance to see the Operetta Szinhas's Romeo & Julia, it's fantastic :)

From:

palmedfire

*shudder* I saw bits of that TV show... As a general rule, I'm pretty against reality TV shows getting to pick musical theatre stars. Just doesn't seem like a particularly bright idea to me.

Facinating re: Hungarian theatre. Curse my empty wallet and further distance from Europe!

From:

masahi

And, oh what a surprise - the Joseph who eventually won had been playing Raoul in the West End as lead understudy. He also ended up marrying the female Judge. Not that she was biased throughout towards him. And they're now awaiting the birth of their sprog.