Original interview here: part 1, part 2
Presenting from March 17. TAKARAZUKA WAY TO 100th ANNIVERSARY Vol.3『DANCIN’ CRAZY2』. In 2007, like glittering stars a supreme cast of former Takarazuka top stars celebrated as dance experts performed a dream collaboration—the original dance show “Dancin’ Crazy” —and it will return to achieve a “scale-up.”
Having performed in the 2007 version as well are Kozuki Wataru, Asami Hikaru, Kazahana Mai, Hoshina Yuri and others, with Shizuki Asato participating as a special guest. Before the performance, I asked to speak with Kozuki-san and Asami-san!
—2007, when the previous installment of “Dancin’ Crazy” took place, was the year after Kozuki-san and Asami-san left Takarazuka and graduated from being male performers. Today again you are dressed splendidly in tailcoats, but how has your mindset changed?
ASAMI: Wata-san might feel this way too, but before I could always return to being an otokoyaku; it was my “comfort zone” so to speak. But now that there is a gap between me and the otokoyaku roles, I’m enjoying that. I’m playing other roles, both visually and psychologically, and I think my range of choices has expanded.
KOZUKI: Yes, yes. Before we were literally acting as men, but now that we’re both dressing like men and also wearing pumps and the like, again the image is different. Also this time from the point of view of a person from Takarazuka, I think I appear on stage with the sense that I’ve mixed the male and female roles. Komu-chan too, nowadays her hair has thoroughly lengthened, hasn’t it.
ASAMI: I can be Oscar with my real hair!
KOZUKI: In that case I can be Andre (haha)
—Today’s tailcoats, are those something you wore in the 2007 performance of Dancin’ Crazy?
KOZUKI: That’s right. We’re commemorating the atmosphere of the time we were able to produce the show together with Ooura Mizuki.
ASAMI: All of the actors have that sort of feeling. Through the tailcoats, that atmosphere is handed down in a way; it’s Oura-san’s wonderful place.
KOZUKI: Speaking of Oura-san, she was the “tailcoat expert,” wasn’t she.
ASAMI: So, there is an image that can continuously be inherited. I myself also have to convey that to my juniors, I think.
KOZUKI: Yes that’s really true. Oura-san has been in heaven for two years. We will remember her in this performance, and we will do our best to convey the feeling of the soul of her dances that were passed down to us.
—This time Dancin’ Crazy 2 is organized into 2 parts. In Act 1, you perform a selection from Chicago under the guidance of the Broadway staff and specialists from Chicago’s Japan performance.
ASAMI: Even in Takarazuka shows they often adopt Fosse’s dances, and since he’s an icon for dance enthusiasts, I’m happy to be able to study the real thing.
KOZUKI: When we were in the troupe, whether it was how to hold the derby hats or move your hips, everyone referred to him a lot.
—Kozuki-san as Velma Kelly and Asami-san as Roxie Hart, is there anything in particular you like about your own numbers?
KOZUKI: As expected, the opening, “All That Jazz.” So far I’ve seen it many times from the audience, and it’s interesting that depending on the actors the atmosphere can be completely different, but anyway every time I hear that melody I get chills.
ASAMI: Since that’s a wonderful piece of music I can’t make up my mind, but I love the finale with Velma and Roxy singing and dancing resolutely. In Japan too nowadays women are strong, but even performing under those circumstances I want to be able to feel like, “that was refreshing!”
KOZUKI: That finale is really great. As far as we as Takarasienne OGs are concerned, staging Fosse’s world with only women is a big challenge, and I feel that because we are OGs this is a show we can certainly tackle. Although the journey is treacherous, to that extent the feeling of accomplishment will be huge. The two of us will scatter sparks in a good way, won’t we!
ASAMI: I’ll do my best not to hold anyone back!
KOZUKI: No no no no. I should be the one saying that, haha.
—Act 2 of “Dancin’ Crazy 2” is the “All New Dancin’ Crazy” show you prepared. It seems like we can expect a brilliant spectacle.
KOZUKI: Now, constantly staging revue shows, I think it’s similar to Takarazuka. Using the things that were cultivated there, I want to create a sophisticated atmosphere different from before with the members of this group.
ASAMI: That’s right. We want to do a show characteristic of ourselves as Takarazuka OGs.
—In Act 2, there is a revival of the theme song from “Tsukiyou Utagoe,” the play in which you appeared together in Takarazuka. Do you two still often remember that play?
ASAMI: I remember it every time it’s December, the same time as that performance. Since my retirement was also in December, feeling the cold air, looking at the moon, somehow it’s deeply moving.
KOZUKI: This time we use the original play’s music, and I think it’s a magical scene reminiscent of that world of love, so please look forward to it.
—You two were certainly considered a golden combination in your Takarazuka days, but please tell us how you see each other as dancers.
ASAMI: In Wata-san’s dancing there is the presence of her fully utilized long limbs, and everyone is captivated by it. Even though people with larger physiques usually have a hard time controlling their bodies and tend to fall behind the music, Wata-san on the contrary is totally not like that, she expresses the music magnificently and I think she’s really amazing. These are things I don’t have myself… I guess the grass is always greener, haha.
KOZUKI: No, no. But of course if the two of us danced the same piece, the mood that would emerge would undoubtedly be different. Komu-chan perhaps has a mystique that I don’t have, she gives off a feeling like she’s hiding her thoughts. That’s why I’ve come to want to see inside her. Moreover, her body also really surpasses mine. She raises her legs up incredibly high, and her flexibility is magnificent. With our individual personalities blended smoothly, I hope we can make a wonderful scene.
—From now on I can’t help but look forward to it. Now then, “Dancin’ Crazy 2” will raise its curtains on March 17, a full year past the Sendai earthquake. Would you tell us about your current feelings?
KOZUKI: During this year, everyone’s minds have been whirling about that day and every day after it, but the only thing we can do is continue performing and deliver our smiles and energy to the audience. I want to stand on stage wholeheartedly and make the people who come out to the theater feel glad they saw the show.
ASAMI: Absolutely. We’re getting on with the things we can do ourselves. It’s the simplest thing, but even if it’s difficult, we’re taking note of what’s important once again. We want to deliver the best show we can with conviction. For that reason, we’ll even practice till we collapse…
KOZUKI: Yes!
ASAMI: Right. We want to do our best with all we’ve got!!