The Rose of Versailles musicals

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A statue of Oscar and Andre at the Takarazuka Grand Theater in Takarazuka, Hyogo. Versailles no bara monument.jpg
A statue of Oscar and André at the Takarazuka Grand Theater in Takarazuka, Hyōgo.

The Rose of Versailles has been dramatized for Takarazuka Revue by Shinji Ueda. The show's role in Takarazuka history is particularly notable as it established the "Top Star" system that remains in place to this day. Rose of Versailles also triggered a large surge in the revue's popularity, commonly referred to as the "BeruBara Boom" (ベルバラブーム, Berubara Buumu).

Contents

The musicals have either played up the importance of the Oscar-Andre relationship, or the Fersen-Marie Antoinette relationship. Shinji Ueda, a Takarazuka producer, asked Riyoko Ikeda to write new stories with scenes from the manga never before seen on stage and by placing a focus on minor characters. In 2008 and 2009, four new musicals were staged based on the minor characters Girodelle, Alain de Soissons, and Bernard Chatelet, as well as André Grandier. [1]

Takarazuka stage adaptations

1974, Moon Troupe, top bill: Yuri Haruna, Asou Kaoru

1975, Flower Troupe, top bill:Jun Anna, Yuri Haruna

1975, Snow Troupe, top bill: Natsuko Migiwa, Rei Asami

1976, Flower Troupe, National tour, top bill:

1979, Flower Troupe, National tour, top bill: Akira Matsu

1980, Snow Troupe, National tour, top bill: Natsuko Migiwa

1976, Star Troupe (Takarazuka version), top bill: Ran Ōtori

1976, Moon Troupe (Tokyo version), top bill: Ran Ōtori

1977, Flower Troupe, National Tour, top bill: Jun Anna

1978, Snow Troupe, National Tour, top bill: Natsuko Migiwa

1989, Snow Troupe, top bill: Keaki Mori, Ichiro Maki

1989, Star Troupe, top bill: Kaoru Hyuuga

2001, Cosmos Troupe, top bill: Yōka Wao

2006, Star Troupe, top bill: Wataru Kozuki

1990, Flower Troupe, top bill: Mizuki Ōura

1991, Flower Troupe, Ueda, top bill: Mizuki Ōura

1991, Snow Troupe, National Tour, top bill: Keaki Mori

1991, Moon Troupe, top bill: Mayo Suzukaze

2001, Star Troupe, top bill: Kō Minoru

2005, Star Troupe, Korean Tour, top bill: Wataru Kozuki

2006, Snow Troupe, top bill: Hikaru Asami

2006, Snow Troupe, National Tour, top bill: Natsuki Mizu

2008, Snow Troupe, top bill: Natsuki Mizu

2008, Flower Troupe, top bill: Sei Matobu

2008, Star Troupe, top bill: Kei Aran

2009, Cosmos Troupe, top bill: Yūga Yamato

2009, Flower Troupe, top bill: Sei Matobu

2013,Moon Troupe, top bill: Masaki Ryuu, Rio Asumi

2013, Snow Troupe, top bill: Kazuho Sou

2014, Cosmos Troupe, top bill: Kaname Ouki

2014, Cosmos Troupe, National Tour, top bill: Manato Asaka

2014, Flower Troupe, top bill: Rio Asumi

2015, Flower Troupe, top bill: Rio Asumi

2024, Snow Troupe, top bill: Sakina Ayakaze

Korean musical adaptation

Development for the musical in South Korea was announced in December 2022. [2] The musical company, EMK, has experience creating a rococo stage in the past by producing a revised version of the musical Marie Antoinette. [3] It was first presented as a preview gala concert on December 2-3, 2023, [4] and then premiere at the Chungmu Arts Center Grand Theater in July 2024. [5]

Casts

RoleActors/Actresses
Oscar François de Jarjayes Ock Joo-hyun, Kim Ji-woo
André Grandier Lee Hae-jun
Bernard Châtelet Yoon So-ho
Florian Victor Clement de Gerodelle Jeong Baek-seon
Rosalie La morlière Jang Hye-rin
Duchesse de Polignac Lisa, Park Hye-mi
General de JarjayesLee Woo-seung
Henry Salvatore de Gemene Seo Seung-won
NourricierLim Eun-yeong
EnsembleLee Eun-ju, Jang Yeo-jin, Hong Yun-young, Lee Geon-min, Jeon Ki-su, Ahn Jun-hyuk, Kim Yang-hee, Hyun Seong-ho, Park Seong-jin, Park Jun-byeong, Baek Chan-hyuk, Park Sang-ryeong, Choi Yun-jae, Jeong Se-hoon, Goh Min-geon, Jang Jun-woo, Shin Dong-woo, Cho Yu-jin

[5] [6]

* Note: Most, if not all, large scale South Korean Musicals are generally double or triple cast for a role. The actors share the role equally and alternate throughout the eight show week.

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<i>The Rose of Versailles</i> Japanese manga series by Riyoko Ikeda

The Rose of Versailles, also known as Lady Oscar and La Rose de Versailles, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Riyoko Ikeda. It was originally serialized in the manga magazine Margaret from 1972 to 1973, while a revival of the series was published in the magazine from 2013 to 2018. The series is a historical drama set in the years preceding and during the French Revolution. Using a combination of historical personages and original characters, The Rose of Versailles focuses primarily on the lives of two women: the Queen of France Marie Antoinette, and Oscar François de Jarjayes, who serves as commander of the Royal Guard.

Tomu Ranju is a Japanese singer, TV and musical actress most widely recognized as Takarazuka Revue Flower Troupe's otokoyaku top star from 2011 to 2014. Ranju is considered one of the triple threat actresses the revue has had in recent years and was selected to record songs for many of Takazuka albums, both while she was with the revue and after she left.

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References

  1. "Takarazuka mines 'Versailles' gold". Archived from the original on 2008-06-09. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  2. "Musical industry made dramatic comeback in 2022". The Korea Herald. 2023-01-03. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  3. "EMK, '베르사유의 장미' 오디션 개최... 12월 공연 확정 [공식입장]" [EMK holds audition for 'The Rose of Versailles'... Performance confirmed for December [Official Statement]] (in Korean). Xports News. 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2023-11-06 via Naver.
  4. "[REVIEW]Preview gala sets stage for grand premiere of 'La Rose de Versailles' musical". The Korea Times. 2023-12-04.
  5. 1 2 "옥주현·김지우…뮤지컬 '베르사유의 장미' 콘서트로 미리 만난다" [Ock Joo-hyun, Kim Ji-woo... Meet in advance at the musical 'La Rose de Versailles' concert] (in Korean). New Daily. 2023-11-10.
  6. "옥주현·김지우, 오스칼 된다... 뮤지컬 '베르사유의 장미' 캐스팅" [Ock Joo-hyun and Kim Ji-woo become Oscar... Casting of the musical 'La Rose de Versailles'] (in Korean). Joy News 24. 2023-11-10.

Further reading