First performed in Japan in 1987. I never imagined I'd be playing a role...

Wow, I really worked hard (laughs). And my body held up. That's thanks to the support of so many people. Thank you.

Currently, we are in the midst of performances for the musical "Sunday in the Park with George," which opened on July 5th at PARCO Theatre. We're giving it our all every day.

The lyrics and music are by Stephen Sondheim, whom director Amon Miyamoto respects and is friends with, and the book is by James Lapine. It's a 1984 Broadway production. Its Japanese premiere was in 1987, starring Masao Kusakari and Ran Ootori. I actually saw that production. I never dreamed I would end up playing a role (laughs).

Synopsis
Act I is set in the late 19th century, in a changing Paris. There was a painter named Georges Seurat (George). He created his art using the technique of "pointillism," and began sketching his masterpiece, "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte," with his lover Dot as his model. Obsessed with his painting, George pays no attention to Dot, focusing solely on his canvas. Eventually, tired of waiting, Dot, though pregnant with George's child, decides to leave for America with Louis, a baker.

Act II is set about a century later, in a museum gallery displaying "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte." George, an artist, reflects on the history of his great-grandfather, Georges Seurat, with his grandmother, Marie. Later, George visits the island of La Grande Jatte and receives a red book from Marie, which Dot once possessed. Then, Dot appears...

The unspoken 'no-go' word this time was 'difficult.'

I've known Amon Miyamoto for a long time, and this is my second stage work with him, about 20 years after our first. As usual? I joined rehearsals late, and sometimes had to miss them due to other work commitments. Honestly, I felt my spirit break many times with this musical, as the songs were more difficult than I had imagined.

Things that progressed smoothly when I was with everyone else became difficult to grasp later. Even solo practice wasn't enough. It's truly challenging. I found myself thinking, "Damn you, Stephen Sondheim!" many times. During rehearsals, I was frustrated by my own inability, and perhaps I had overestimated myself. I was starting to feel a bit like I was refusing to go to school. To motivate myself, I decided to try and be the first one at the rehearsal space every day! And I just kept doing that.

The unspoken 'no-go' word this time was 'difficult.' If we emphasize 'difficult' too much, audiences might not come (laughs)? But someone did say it's the most difficult musical currently being performed...

'Indeed.' I thought. My head was filled with question marks as I battled the complex melodies and odd time signatures day after day. I believe the time will come when I can enjoy it, only after all that complexity has dissolved into my muscles, into my body.
By the time this is updated, will I be enjoying it a little? Honestly, I'm not enjoying it at all right now! Unfortunately, not yet... And considering the time it took to create the original Broadway musical, the reality is that we have far too little time in Japan.

Don't worry! God is within you, sis.

But even so, Amon Miyamoto poured his heart and soul into notes and rehearsals until the night before the premiere, as if possessed. On the night of the dress rehearsal, Ishimaru-san and I stayed for extra practice. Staying for extra practice... maybe since my theater troupe days (laughs).

When I enter the theater, a god I call the "God of the Stage" always appears and helps me. It has always helped me. However, this time, even after entering the theater and standing on stage for rehearsals and the dress rehearsal, it wouldn't appear. This might sound quite spiritual, but it's all based on my subjective feelings. With the sudden death of Michael Jackson recently, I was talking with Brother GO (Tsuyoshi Ueki), who looks up to Michael as his mentor, about Michael and my current stage work. In an email exchange, I sent, "It feels like God isn't coming..." and he replied, "Don't worry! God is within you, sis. You've done all you can, haven't you?"

My dear brother. He said something so thoughtful.

And then, I suddenly remembered a story. "Footprints in the Sand," I think that was the title. Many of you may know it: a story about someone looking back on their life as they were dying and being moved by God. There were always God's footprints beside mine, and He had always helped me. But during one period, a very, very difficult time, there was only my own footprint. I asked God, "Why weren't you there with me then?" And God replied, "During those times, I was carrying you because you were suffering so much and I thought you couldn't go on."

Perhaps I was being carried too. Well, if you ask me if I suffered that much this time, I don't think I did... (laughs), but it was that challenging a production. Will dawn come!? Or not!?

In August, there's the Kinder Film Festival!

It was a time of frustration.

Now, I do feel a bit more accustomed to it, but wow, it still doesn't let me feel comfortable... (laughs).

But if I were to rank the nervousness on opening night, "Naniwa Butterfly" would be number one, "Goodnight Sleep Tight" number two, and "Sunday in the Park" number three. It's definitely in the top ranks.

On the morning of the dress rehearsal, or perhaps the morning of the opening night, while we were all warming up in the theater lobby, the lead actor Kanji Ishimaru said, "I woke up from a nightmare where I forgot the lyrics! I wish I hadn't slept..." Watching him, I felt he had overcome a far more difficult hurdle than I had. I didn't have nightmares (laughs).

Fortunately, after the curtain rose, we received high praise, contrary to my own expectations, which surprised and delighted me... The performances continue until Sunday, August 9th.

Now, everyone, next month is the Kinder Film Festival (August 9th (Sun) - August 12th (Wed) at Aoyama Round Theatre & Kids' Earth Theatre, August 20th (Thu) - August 23rd (Sun) at Chofu City Cultural Hall 'Tazukuri'). I've been helping out as an executive committee member since last year for this international film festival for children. A variety of films from around the world, seen from a child's perspective, are gathered. I highly recommend it to adults as well. Thank you for your support.