It has been announced that singer Kaho Shimada, actress and singer Sonim, Nogizaka46's first captain and actress Yoshio Inoue, and actor Kurumu Okamiya will be guest appearing on the 34th episode of WOWOW's program "Live Broadcast! Yoshio Inoue Musical Hour ' Nogizaka46's Music'," which will be broadcast and streamed live on July 15th at 10pm. The four will be regular members of the arena tour concert "New HISTORY COMING ARENA LIVE –The Imperial Theatre Symphony–" which will be held in August and September.
This arena tour, a first in the Japanese musical world, will take the audience to some of Japan's largest arena venues, reflecting on the past, present, and future of the new Imperial Theatre, scheduled to open in 2030. The tour will feature performances of famous songs from past Imperial Theatre productions.
Shimada appeared in the concert "Hibiya Broadway with Yoshio's Musical" held in October 2023. She is a legend who has received high praise worldwide for playing the role of Eponine in the Japanese premiere of "Les Misérables." She has also co-starred with Inoue in musicals such as "Knights' Tale," which originated at the Imperial Theatre, and "THE BEST New HISTORY COMING," the closing concert of the second Imperial Theatre.
Sonim will be appearing in "Yoshio's Musical" for the second time, following her appearance in the musical "SIX" which aired in December 2024. "SIX" will have a Japanese cast run in London's West End in November 2025, giving Sonim the experience of performing overseas with the show. She and Inoue have previously co-starred in "Miss Saigon" from 2008-2009, where Inoue played Chris and Sonim played Kim, and in "Mozart!" from 2014-2015, where Inoue played Wolfgang and Sonim played Constanze.
Sakurai will be making her debut in "Yoshio's Musical." While she has had the opportunity to co-star with Inoue in the WOWOW original musical comedy "Green & Blacks" by Yuichi Fukuda and Yoshio Inoue, this concert will be their first time performing together on stage. She has appeared in various musicals, including "Dance of the Vampires" and "Bonnie & Clyde." Her most recent appearance was in the musical "Welcome to the Quiet Room: The Musical," which aired on WOWOW.
Okamiya will be appearing in "Yoshio's Musical" for the second time. He has been active in a wide range of musicals, from 2.5-dimensional musicals such as "Touken Ranbu" and "Attack on Titan" to grand musicals such as "Romeo and Juliet" and "1789 – The Lovers of the Bastille –," and is attracting attention as a figure who will lead the next generation of the musical scene. This concert will mark his first stage collaboration with Inoue.
The program will explore the appeal of the concert ahead of the tour's opening, featuring anecdotes from the rehearsal studio and performances of musical songs loved by the guests.
The 34th episode of "Live Broadcast! Yoshio Inoue Musical Hour 'Yoshio's Music'" will be broadcast and streamed live on WOWOW Live and WOWOW On Demand from 10 PM on July 15th.
◇Comment from Kaho Shimada
I am so happy and excited to be appearing in "Yoshio's Musical" for the first time. I have worked with Yoshio-san on various stages before, and he has always been unwavering, always giving perfect performances, adding a nice touch with his lovingly sharp wit, and always being full of enthusiasm and taking on new challenges. I trust and respect him from the bottom of my heart! I will put all my enthusiasm for the Imperial Theatre Arena Live into my singing and give it my all!
◇ Sonim's comment
It's been about a year since I last appeared on the show, before the Japanese run of the musical "SIX." Having experienced the London run of SIX last fall, I'm looking forward to chatting about musicals with Yoshio-kun, who recently went on a West End theater tour. I'm also looking forward to talking and singing with everyone who will be taking care of me as part of the Imperial Theatre Arena concert cast!
◇Comment from Reika Sakurai
Although we haven't worked together on a project yet, I did appear on a show where he was the main MC. There were many senior actors I was meeting for the first time, and I was nervous and couldn't quite get into the conversation, but he helped me out a lot, and I was so touched by how kind he was! In fact, the first musical I ever saw, after I had already discovered musicals and bought tickets of my own volition, was "The Great Gatsby," starring Yoshio-san. At that time, I was completely ignorant of actors and directors, and I remember being overwhelmed when I heard Yoshio-san's singing voice for the first time, without really understanding why.
◇Comment from Kurumu Okamiya
I'm Okamiya Kurumu, and I'll be appearing in Yoshio's musical! I'll be touring the arenas all over the country with some truly distinguished senior actors who have led the musical world! I'm incredibly excited! This will actually be my first time sharing the stage with Yoshio-san! Yoshio-san is at the forefront of the industry. I hope to learn a lot from him and grow every day! I'm looking forward to talking with him on live TV! Thank you in advance!
