Upcoming: Genki Tosaben Musical 2014!

This weekend will be the tech rehearsal (dress rehearsal) of this year's Tosaben musical. It feels like we've been working on this since forever, but at the same time, I feel like the shows have snuck up on us. The tour starts next weekend! So this is our last shot at rehearsing before we're in front of a live audience. Tomorrow we'll attempt to run the show with all costumes, make up, and props. Unfortunately, there will be a few people missing due to an English camp going on at the moment, but we'll do our best. I'm hoping to get some photographs of people's costumes, including my own.

This year's theme is a combination of Harry Potter and John Manjiro. John Manjiro was a Japanese fisherman picked up by an American ship after a shipwreck. He lived in America for a while and learned English before going back to Japan. He was one of the first people to leave Japan and return; this was during the period before the country was open to foreign trade, so no one was allowed to enter or exit the country. 

In our story, Harry Manjiro Potter is picked up by Hagrid Whitfield after being shipwrecked during a whaling expedition with the Dursleys. He is taken to Hogwarts Tosa-Style School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he learns to use the magical power of the Tosa dialect. He then sets out to defeat Voldemort, who is planning to kill him in order to prevent Tosa from being opened to foreign exchange.

My role this year is that of Hermione, one of Harry's best friends. In this version of the Harry Potter story, Hermione is from the Kanto region, which means that she's kind of a foreigner to the Tosa dialect (Tosaben) and Tosa culture. But as the story progresses, she learns more Tosa magic and supports Harry in his quest. Although she's a pretty straight-laced character, it has been a fun role to play. 

Emma Watson as Hermione Granger

Probably my favorite character has to be Bellatrix, as played by Ashley. She is Voldemort's most loyal (and most demented) minion. About half of her lines consist of evil laughter, which Ashley has got down pat. She's one of the most dynamic characters, and a lot of fun to watch. 

Helena Bonham-Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange

Sorry for the long break between posts. I'm trying to get back into the habit of writing now, and with the shows coming up, there should be plenty to share.