Wicked - Japanese production (Shikki Theater)

Since there's no way in the near future I'm going to NYC or London (the latter is out of question since the cost is outrageous), the only possible place for me to see Wicked is Tokyo. I have been going on and on about seeing the Japanese production for more than a year. I have gone over to Tokyo about 5 times within the last year and I was never able to get tickets (yes, it is a popular show and it is pretty much sold out). I planned ahead this time and got my ticket way in advance. Finally, the day has come.

I was excited to say the least (there was a rather interesting encounter outside the theatre, but I'm not able to talk about it here. Let me just say that I had a hard time concentrating on the show itself). Having had previous experience with the rather calm and disciplined Japanese audience, I suppose I wasn't as hyped up as I thought I'd as soon as I sat down. But the show was still excellent; not as amazing or breathtaking as I had wished for, since the Shikki production cut down on the scenary a bit. As a friend said, it looks simpler. However, I did think the two main actresses did what I expected them to do - Megumi Hamada, who played Elfaba (e-lu-fa-ba in Japanese, it still gives me a giggle) is by all means the right choice. I have seen her in other shows before (Crazy for You) and she performs with a more Broadway/American singing technique than most musical performers in Japan. That means that there is not a lot of nasal sounding singing going on and she enunciates excellently. The other main character, Glenda, was Nipponised more or less; more cute Japanese high-school-ish than Legally Blonde (gosh, what would they do if they'd do a Japanese production of Legally Blonde? Wouldn't all the jokes be lost?)

Overall, it was fun. Loads of fun. A good night and yes, I'd like to see it again (but being a sad musical addict, I'd see any good performance/production again). And Shikki Theater really does an excellent job adapting Broadway musicals. My friend saw another musical "Phantom" in Tokyo in the same week and it was a total failure. There are apparently more and more film actors or idols doing theatre work in Japan, but they aren't trained for it at all. The singing sounds like J-pop at best, and at worst, like massacring lots of farm animals. But that said, I still admire the fact that there is such an established circle for theatrical performance, both traditional and contemporary. That's why I don't want to stay here when I have time off. Nada here.

By the way, the Japanese production of Wicked is actually the first non-English production (the second one is the German production, now playing in Stuggart). Pretty good job. I'll wait for my friend to tell me how the German production is (apparently it's pretty amazing, I've heard the OST already).

Oh, one last thing. During the number "Popular", Glenda apparently says "toss, toss" in OBC but in WE, she says "flip it, flip it". I'm kind of stuck with the Japanese version which is "kira kira" (it means shiny, in a way making the hair sparkle as you toss/flip it).