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August 17, 2015
Healing the Fatigue of the Stage in the Tropics and on Broadway | Keiko Toda
Keiko Toda: Healing Stage Fatigue in Tropical Isles and on Broadway
An Early Summer Break! Finally, to the Dreamed-Of Miyako Island
A demanding stage, a demanding number of performances, and a barrage of double-shows.Wuthering HeightsWhen it all concluded, the first thought that came to mind was, "I want to completely relax!" So this year, I decided to take an early summer break to recover from my stage fatigue.
Text by TODA Keiko
The Endless Colors of Nature Dazzle
The stage play "Wuthering Heights"ended, and while I was still working my usual jobs, my body was in rest mode. I had worked hard for two months building my body with stretching and strength training, but that's okay. I want to relax (laughs).
And so, at the end of June, I was able to visit Miyako Island, a place I'd longed to go. I had been to Okinawa's main island, Ishigaki Island, and Iriomote Island before, but this was my first time on Miyako Island. The rainy season was expected, but it cleared earlier than anticipated, which was incredibly lucky. It was brilliantly sunny.
I stayed for three nights at an inn introduced to me by Lily Franky. It had an ocean view, a great breakfast, and I was simply blissful.
The colors of the sky and sea were as beautiful as a composite photograph. Blue, so blue. There are many shades of blue, and the gradation was stunning. They call it "Miyako Blue." And the island is covered in sugarcane fields, so there's green. The endless green was dazzling.
I love Okinawan cuisine, so I ordered an enormous amount, to the point where the restaurant staff worried if I could eat it all (laughs). But I could. I finished everything every night. Seriously, it was all delicious. Goya champuru, mozuku seaweed, rafute pork belly, island scallions. Maasu-ni... During the day, there was soba with spareribs or cold noodles. When I signed the restaurant's wall, they gave me a side of jima-ami tofu (laughs). I never tire of Okinawan food.
This time, I visited all three islands connected to Miyako Island by bridge: Kurima Island, Irabu Island, and Ikema Island. Every place I stumbled upon turned out to be a hit, and they were all fantastic.
There were small cafes and curry shops nestled within residential areas. Cafes in the middle of sugarcane fields. I learned that most of the owners weren't originally from Okinawa. That was interesting too. Everyone was working hard. If I go to Miyako Island again, I definitely want to revisit every single one of these places. In fact, I'm quite captivated by Miyako Island now (laughs).
Keiko Toda: Healing Stage Fatigue in Tropical Isles and on Broadway
The Goal: Ken Watanabe's Moment in the Spotlight! A Whirlwind NY Trip with Anne
King was incredibly cool!
Ken Watanabe was performing in the Broadway musical "The King and I" in New York. I had wanted to see it, but my schedule made it seem difficult, and I had almost given up hope. However, I noticed quite a few people around me were taking whirlwind trips.
That's right, if you truly want to go, you have to be prepared for a whirlwind schedule. While I was thinking this, Anne, who plays my daughter-in-law in a Mitsubishi Electric commercial, contacted me. She had an extra ticket because her husband couldn't make it due to a sudden work commitment.
N-no way! This was my chance. I managed to adjust my work schedule slightly and planned a grueling three-day trip.
Anne and I agreed to meet there. We met at the hotel and then walked to Lincoln Center. In New York, you walk everywhere. We had lunch at a cafe in front of the theater, and it was pure bliss! Then, off to the theater.
Watching the show alongside Anne. To think that someone I know was performing on a Broadway stage. It was so wonderful, I was thrilled. There were about 20 musicians in the orchestra pit. The sound was magnificent, and the stage set was simple yet beautiful.
And then, Ken Watanabe appeared! Applause. Just seeing him on stage was moving. King was incredibly cool. To have my first musical experience be on Broadway – this is truly something special. He was even nominated for a Tony Award.
For two and a half hours, I was completely captivated. He must have put in an unimaginable amount of effort.
The curtain call was met with thunderous applause. A standing ovation, of course. Ah, I felt so proud. It was wonderful to see him backstage after the performance as well.
He greeted me with, "Oh, look who it is, a senior musical performer (laughs)." The child actors were also bustling around the dressing room, creating a very warm atmosphere. It was a whirlwind trip, but it left me with wonderful memories.
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