As a related program to the 78th Annual Tony Awards ceremony (June Getsuku , Japan time) which will be broadcast live on WOWOW, a special program titled " Taiga Kyomoto Hello Tony! in NY" will be broadcast and streamed on WOWOW Live and WOWOW On Demand from 7pm on May 6th, featuring Taiga Kyomoto of the popular group SixTONES, who serves as a special supporter, visiting Broadway in New York for the first time. An interview with Kyomoto has been released ahead of the broadcast.
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--How was your first time in New York?
Everything was stimulating. I had a lot of fun visiting drama schools, going on backstage tours of theaters, and trying out all sorts of things that I wouldn't be able to experience in my private life, which I could only do on this show.
--How did it compare to your image of New York?
Times Square and Broadway left an impression of being filled with entertainment, with a glamorous atmosphere, and I felt like there were so many theaters and it was full of dreams. It was beyond my imagination of New York.
--This was your first time seeing a play on Broadway. What was the atmosphere of the theater like and the audience's reaction?
I thought the audience's style of watching the play was very free. Some people shouted out when they were surprised, and there were huge cheers during the singing scenes, so it felt like I was watching a concert. I myself have experience as a performer in both stage and concert performances, so it felt like a mix of the two.
What is the atmosphere like in the theater?
Each theater was closely linked to the production. For example, the "Aladdin" theater had an Arabian feel, while the "Outsider" theater had an outlaw feel. From the moment I sat down in my seat, I felt like I was immersed in the world of the production, which was interesting.
--Of all the plays you've seen, which one made the biggest impression on you, and why?
The first Broadway show I saw was Aladdin, and it's a show I'll never forget.
The gimmick and direction of "The Outsider" shocked me. It was modern and cutting edge. There were many things that touched my heart and pierced my soul. I had been interested in this work since I was involved in the Tony Awards program last year, so I was very happy to be able to see it live.
--Is there anything else that made an impression on you besides the performance?
I visited a high school that specializes in performance and art. I was allowed to join the students' circle, singing along with them and having fun talking about Japanese culture. There were many young people there who are aiming to become Broadway performers, and I was impressed by how much energy they had.
How was your drama class?
I've been in this world for almost 20 years, but it's rare to be able to absorb the details at that age, such as the types of lighting and the meanings of costumes, that I wouldn't dare ask about now. The time we spent creating a stage in one class will be a treasure, and it was a school life that was so fascinating that I was jealous.
--It seems that there are so many schools like that in New York, the home of theater.
Looking at the Broadway scene, I realized how familiar and important the stage is to the city of New York. That's probably why so many people naturally aspire to be on stage.
--Do you think this experience will be useful to you in the future?
Yes! With the musical "Once" coming up in the fall, I learned a lot as an actor mentally. Seeing the perfect stage with its true professionalism made me feel on edge, and the actors were overflowing with love for the work, which made me realize that if you don't have a real love for musicals, you can't deliver the best.
--The Tony Awards ceremony will be held in June. Is there anything you are looking forward to?
This time, I was able to actually see the films in New York, so I think I'll be able to enjoy the awards ceremony with a deeper understanding. I'm already looking forward to the announcement of the nominations!
--Please tell us about your future plans in musicals.
For me, my 20s were a challenge. I was performing in musicals on top of my work as an idol...
But now that I'm 30, I feel like it's not enough to just take on new challenges. I need to be an actor who can make the audience feel something, not just have the skills. For that reason, the experience of being able to see a production on the original Broadway was invaluable.
I hope that my performance can become something meaningful in the lives of all those who come to see it...I want to cherish this feeling when I'm on stage.
--Please give a message to the viewers who will be watching " Taiga Kyomoto Hello Tony! in NY".
This program will not only showcase musicals, but also the charms of the city of New York and the people who live there. I think that people who are interested in musicals and people who are interested in New York will enjoy it, so I would be happy if you could experience New York and Broadway through me in the run up to the Tony Awards ceremony.
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The program will closely follow Kyomoto's precious moment when he visits New York and Broadway for the first time. He will visit Times Square, the heart of New York; Brooklyn, located south of Manhattan and known as the epicenter of art and culture; the Broadway Museum, an experiential museum where you can experience the history of Broadway; and Radio City Music Hall, the venue for the 78th Tony Awards. He will also visit a high school founded by Tony Bennett that specializes in performance and art, and interact with students studying theater.
