It has been announced that Mayu Suzukaze, former top star of the Takarazuka Revue, will be a guest on the 31st episode of WOWOW's program "Live Broadcast! Yoshio Inoue Musical Hour 'Yoshio's Music'," hosted by musical actor Yoshio Inoue . Producer Yoshitsugu Okamoto, who has worked on numerous musical productions, and singer Takanori Sato will also appear on the show.
This edition of "Yoshio's Music" will be broadcast and streamed live on WOWOW Live and WOWOW On Demand from 9 PM on March 25th as a "Spring Grand Thanksgiving 90-Minute Extended Edition."
Ryofu and Sato appeared alongside Inoue in the "Concert for LEVAY ~Happy 80th Birthday~" held on February 14th and 15th. This concert was held to commemorate the 80th birthday of Sylvester Levay, the composer who created numerous masterpiece musicals such as "Elisabeth," "Mozart!", and " Marie Antoinette," with producer Okamoto serving as the director, supervisor, and planner. The concert will be broadcast and streamed on WOWOW from 1 PM on March 29th.
Producer Okamoto will become a freelancer after this concert, which will be his last production at Toho. He is also the producer who cast Inoue as Rudolf in the 2000 Toho production of "Elisabeth," which marked Inoue's musical debut. Since then, they have worked together on many productions.
Ryofu first sang Levi's music in "Lost Angel," a performance in 1993 that took place just before her departure from the Takarazuka Revue. After that, she appeared in productions such as "Marie Antoinette" as Marie Antoinette, "Mozart!" as Baroness Waldstätten, "Elisabeth" as Elisabeth and Sophie, "Rebecca" as Mrs. Danvers, and "Lady Bess" (now known as "Lady Bess") as Cat Ashley.
Sato appeared in "Elisabeth" as Franz Joseph, "Marie Antoinette" as Louis XVI, and "Beethoven" as Franz Brentano.
The program will feature discussions about the appeal of Levi's music, as well as performances of songs from his discography.
◇Comment from producer Yoshitsugu Okamoto
I've known Yoshio since his debut, so it's been about 25 years now. During this time, we've worked on so many projects together. He's not only a colleague but also a friend with whom I've had a close relationship both professionally and personally. There's a significant age difference between us, almost like parent and child, but we're close drinking buddies and you don't feel the age gap at all. I'm feeling nervous and a bit embarrassed to be appearing on Yoshio's show, but I'm sure I'll have a great time because Kaname and Sugar, who I always work with, will be right next to me.
◇Comment from Mayu Suzukaze
My encounters with Mr. Yoshio Inoue... my encounters with producer Okamoto... my encounters with Mr. Levi... and my encounters with WOWOW... I feel that all of them may have been "miraculous (or inevitable) encounters." It will be a live broadcast... I'm nervous, but since Mr. Yoshio will be there, I would like to enjoy it. Thank you in advance. "Once a fairy, now a monster" Suzukaze Mayo
◇Comment from Takayuki Sato
I am so happy to be invited back to "Yoshio's Musical." Following our collaboration on Elisabeth, I also had the pleasure of working with Yoshio-san on the Levi Concert, and I always learn so much from his performance and his entertaining MC skills. I am especially looking forward to this production, as it will feature Ryofu-san, with whom I have many previous collaborations, and Toho producer Okamoto, who has warmly watched over and nurtured me.
