Wishful Thinking - 3 Musketiers
Feb. 18th, 2010 07:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
masahiSince Takarazuka have already adopted two of my favourite shows (aka ones I've seen live, loved and wanted to see Siennes perform) in the shape of Romeo & Juliette and Elisabeth, the last one they need to get a hold of is the Dutch-created 3 Musketiers - De Musical. I own the DVD, and I love it as one of the few foreign language shows which comes with English subtitles :D
I have reasons. They are many :)
1. It has 5 major male roles, with 3-5 minor ones, depending on actors doubling up. It also has 3 fantastic roles for ladies, not one of which is a whimpering cry-baby.
2. It has sword fighting. Lots of it.
3. It has a ship onna stage! Nothing says class like a storm onstage :)
4. It has the big frocks that Siennes love.
5. It has epic ensemble numbers, which require everyone being able to dance in a ball/be soldiers/be pimps & whores & drunkards
6. It has a somewhat... lecherous Priest and a Whore double-act, and we all know how seriously the Japanese theatre takes European religious sorts ;)
7. There is a poisoning and a suicide. Musts in many Zuka shows.
The only down side of it all is that the main character is, of course, D'Artagnan. Since Takarazuka is inclined to having the Top Star in a strong, leading role, D'Artagnan as the Enthusiastic Puppy, wouldn't work. The only way I could see it really being taken on is if they expanded the already awesome role of Richelieu, giving him a few more numbers, even though he already hogs all the stage-time ;)
For those who haven't seen the musical, a rough summary of role-size, song number etc:
D'Artagnan - The Hero. With a capital H. Ambitious, tempestous and far too eager to pick a fight in his ambition to be a great Musketeer. Songs - 4 solos, 3 duets, 5 ensembles (at least).
Richelieu - The Villain (again, capitalised). The Cardinal who is manipulating France, the King and everyone to his advantage. Charismatic, and a little too fond of the ladies, particularly his sinner-seductress Milady. (Quite possibly has the most stage-time in the show from talkie interludes). Songs - 2 solos, 4 ensembles (2 lead)
Athos - Eldest Musketeer. Dignified and fairly respectable compared to the others. Great role for someone from Senka (or Ema Naoki). Also, has History with Milady. Songs - 1 solo, 4 ensembles
Porthos - Second Musketeer. Not especially special, really, but still one of the Musketeers and willing to join in the group silliness. Songs - 4 ensembles
Aramis - third Musketeer. A religious chap with an eye for the ladies. One of my favourite less-main roles with far too much delight in hitting on people. Songs - 4 ensembles
Milady - Hardcore IceBitch Queen of everything who does, despite everything, have a tiny little heart in there, somewhere. If Richelieu was Top Star otoko, Milady is his Top Star Onnayaku, although I suspect they would tone down the song featuring the line "they'll do whatever I want when I spread my legs for them". Songs - 2 solos, 3 ensembles (1 trio)
Constance - Servant of the Queen and love-interest of D'Artagnan. Sweet and mild, and a little bit of a pushover, but harmless. Songs - 1 solo, 3 duets, 2 ensembles (1 trio)
Queen Anne - Queen. Obviously. Totally being manipulated by Richelieu over a past affair with Buckingham. Strong and passionate, but politically trapped. Songs - 1 solo, 3 ensembles (1 trio)
King/Fool - One of the split roles. The King doesn't get much to do, aside from having his power usurped, but in Act 2, as a jester, he gets to provide a summary for those who forgot what happened in act 1 and pokes fun at Richelieu. Much like poking a bear in the eye with a sharp stick. Unwise, but entertainingly so ;) Songs - 1 solo, 2 ensembles
Rochefort - Richelieu's one-eyed Lackey, who tends to get pwned by everyone. No songs, but a decent amount of stage-time as the verbal punch-bag.
Father/Buckingham - D'Artagnan's father is pushed off the mortal coil fairly quickly, but Buckingham is a key figure in the story, as the Queen's ex-boytoy. No songs, but he gets to have a half-naked sword fight with Milady.
James - Buckingham's butler. No songs but fricking hilarious.
What about you? Do you have a show you want them to do and what would they need to do to adapt it?
I have reasons. They are many :)
1. It has 5 major male roles, with 3-5 minor ones, depending on actors doubling up. It also has 3 fantastic roles for ladies, not one of which is a whimpering cry-baby.
2. It has sword fighting. Lots of it.
3. It has a ship onna stage! Nothing says class like a storm onstage :)
4. It has the big frocks that Siennes love.
5. It has epic ensemble numbers, which require everyone being able to dance in a ball/be soldiers/be pimps & whores & drunkards
6. It has a somewhat... lecherous Priest and a Whore double-act, and we all know how seriously the Japanese theatre takes European religious sorts ;)
7. There is a poisoning and a suicide. Musts in many Zuka shows.
The only down side of it all is that the main character is, of course, D'Artagnan. Since Takarazuka is inclined to having the Top Star in a strong, leading role, D'Artagnan as the Enthusiastic Puppy, wouldn't work. The only way I could see it really being taken on is if they expanded the already awesome role of Richelieu, giving him a few more numbers, even though he already hogs all the stage-time ;)
For those who haven't seen the musical, a rough summary of role-size, song number etc:
D'Artagnan - The Hero. With a capital H. Ambitious, tempestous and far too eager to pick a fight in his ambition to be a great Musketeer. Songs - 4 solos, 3 duets, 5 ensembles (at least).
Richelieu - The Villain (again, capitalised). The Cardinal who is manipulating France, the King and everyone to his advantage. Charismatic, and a little too fond of the ladies, particularly his sinner-seductress Milady. (Quite possibly has the most stage-time in the show from talkie interludes). Songs - 2 solos, 4 ensembles (2 lead)
Athos - Eldest Musketeer. Dignified and fairly respectable compared to the others. Great role for someone from Senka (or Ema Naoki). Also, has History with Milady. Songs - 1 solo, 4 ensembles
Porthos - Second Musketeer. Not especially special, really, but still one of the Musketeers and willing to join in the group silliness. Songs - 4 ensembles
Aramis - third Musketeer. A religious chap with an eye for the ladies. One of my favourite less-main roles with far too much delight in hitting on people. Songs - 4 ensembles
Milady - Hardcore IceBitch Queen of everything who does, despite everything, have a tiny little heart in there, somewhere. If Richelieu was Top Star otoko, Milady is his Top Star Onnayaku, although I suspect they would tone down the song featuring the line "they'll do whatever I want when I spread my legs for them". Songs - 2 solos, 3 ensembles (1 trio)
Constance - Servant of the Queen and love-interest of D'Artagnan. Sweet and mild, and a little bit of a pushover, but harmless. Songs - 1 solo, 3 duets, 2 ensembles (1 trio)
Queen Anne - Queen. Obviously. Totally being manipulated by Richelieu over a past affair with Buckingham. Strong and passionate, but politically trapped. Songs - 1 solo, 3 ensembles (1 trio)
King/Fool - One of the split roles. The King doesn't get much to do, aside from having his power usurped, but in Act 2, as a jester, he gets to provide a summary for those who forgot what happened in act 1 and pokes fun at Richelieu. Much like poking a bear in the eye with a sharp stick. Unwise, but entertainingly so ;) Songs - 1 solo, 2 ensembles
Rochefort - Richelieu's one-eyed Lackey, who tends to get pwned by everyone. No songs, but a decent amount of stage-time as the verbal punch-bag.
Father/Buckingham - D'Artagnan's father is pushed off the mortal coil fairly quickly, but Buckingham is a key figure in the story, as the Queen's ex-boytoy. No songs, but he gets to have a half-naked sword fight with Milady.
James - Buckingham's butler. No songs but fricking hilarious.
What about you? Do you have a show you want them to do and what would they need to do to adapt it?
