My "Body" Made It Through, But My "Mind" Did Not

The stage for this production of "Sunday in the Park with George" was built at an incline, and it was nicknamed the "greengrocer's stage" because it resembled a greengrocer's display. While this structure is very easy for the audience to see, it puts an immense strain on the performers' legs and lower backs. Especially for women, moving in heels is absolutely not good for the body! Not one bit! It felt like we were performing on a slope (laughs).

It's quite difficult to descend slowly from the back of the stage in heels. The strain of bracing with my thighs to apply the brakes was enormous. It would have been much easier to descend quickly, like 'totototo.' Then there's the pain of standing sideways on the incline. My legs weren't at the same height, so my lower back was screaming. And then, of course, moving freely up and down that slope in those heavy costumes... Even though we joked amongst ourselves about wanting to perform in reverse each day, everyone was desperately focused on their physical maintenance.

"Will Keiko Toda Make It in Time for Opening Night?"

However, the difficulty wasn't just in the melodies; it was also in the rhythms. Odd time signatures. Was it 4x3? Or 3x4? And the interplay of these odd time signatures. Here, I speak. Here, I sing. I must finish speaking within this many measures! You had to count everything, or you'd lose track of all the notes. It was like 1234, 1234, 12, 12345 (laughs).

This was the most troublesome aspect until the very end. It was like drawing a circle with my right hand and a triangle or star with my left. While singing with deep emotion and tears in front of everyone, I had to be meticulously counting in my head.

There were situations like this scattered throughout the songs, and even if it was a cheerful song, my mind could never rest. Until the very end... How much more time would it have taken to be able to sing without counting in my head? In any case, my skills weren't enough to make it in time.

In fact, I learned at the cast party after the final performance that a senior castmate had genuinely worried during rehearsals, "Will Keiko Toda Make It in Time for Opening Night?" I'm sure everyone else thought the same. Most importantly, I felt it most acutely myself. Tackling such a difficult piece after starting rehearsals later than everyone else, and with insufficient time! There was no more time to be found anywhere! Could I do it? Could I do it? The frustration only grew, but I went to the rehearsal room earlier than anyone and stayed later than anyone, even studying the score at home before bed. The days of resenting and blaming my own lack of skill continued.

However, as I was asked at the wrap party, at some point, a switch suddenly flipped. "What happened there? What was going on?" I don't really know myself (laughs). Did my previous efforts bear some fruit? But for me, it was just a small switch after all that effort. Perhaps I expected too much of myself, but it was a switch-on far from my ideal.

Despite all that suffering, I've come to love the work (laughs)

My goal and ideal was for all those songs to seep into my muscles so I could sing them without thinking, but it was over... It's over.――I could only sing "Sunday" at the end of Act 1 and Act 2 with all my heart. In the rest, I was completely defeated! Of course, there were many parts I got used to. But I had never sung with such intense concentration in my life. Immediately after the final performance, I honestly felt only emptiness. But now, after some time has passed, I think I can give myself a little credit for doing everything I could within the given time.

I am fortunate just to have challenged myself with "Sunday in the Park with George," a work said to be the most difficult among existing musicals. And I sincerely hope that this struggle will eventually yield some positive results. Thank you all for your wonderful support. Despite all that suffering, I've come to love the work (laughs).

The period costumes were also lovely, and in Act 1, the depiction of the romantic conflict between George and Dot was surprisingly brought to life as a drama. There were even some sweet scenes, which was unusual for my recent stage performances (laughs).

Above all, the scene in Act 2 where George meets Dot from the past was my favorite scene, giving me goosebumps every time. I thought, "Ah, George is so happy." I wished something like this could really happen, that I could meet the people I want to meet... My chest felt warm, and tears welled up. George and Mikiji Ishimaru overlapped, and I thought, "He worked so hard through such tough rehearsals" (putting my own struggles aside) and felt full of admiration, which only made me cry more.

The Kinder Film Festival and the Voice Actor Performance Live. Both were film-related projects.

This year too, I participated as an executive committee member for the Kinder Film Festival and live-dubbed three films: "The Mouse Bride" (Russia), "The Little Crow with the Naked Bottom" (Netherlands), and "Teddy and Annie" (UK). It's a shame that there are still few opportunities for people to know about it. I want to try harder next year. In any case, they are all heartwarming movies from around the world that I want both children and adults to see. Please take note.