Lounge
May 27, 2015
Keiko Toda | Broadway actors train in acting, dance, and singing – rigorous discipline!
Attended! Watched! Moved!
Broadway Actors: Training! Discipline! In Acting, Dance, and Song!
This time, finally! I'll deliver a diary-style account of my Broadway immersion during my long-awaited summer vacation in New York! Thank you for your continued support of the WOWOW drama 'Mama wa Mukashi Papa datta'!
Summary by Keiko Toda
NYC Diary: First Time in 18 Months
September 1 (Tue) Sunny
18:05 Narita departure → NYC
It's been over a year and a half since my last visit to New York, at New Year's last year.
Following our trip to Hawaii, I headed out with my childhood friend Yuji Mitsuya, wearing a "BG Brand" long-sleeve tee. Mask on for flu prevention.
Planes are so dry, you know.
Before departing, I asked the lounge attendant to take a photo of us two wearing masks.
We fussed about the lighting, wanting to include the plane in the background, and so on. It was already fun!
(I forgot my mileage card again. The paperwork later is always such a hassle...)
This time, I have no plans for watching shows. I intend to figure it out on the plane. That's part of the fun.
If I push myself, I should be able to see 6 or 7 shows. Here I go on a trip of watching, sleeping, watching, watching, sleeping!
September 1 (Tue) Sunny
19:00 (NYC time) Arrived at hotel
The flight was just under 12 hours. That's long! Still, we arrived about two hours earlier than usual.
In the past, I would go out into the city and see a show on the day I arrived, but in recent years, I often end up exhausted and sleeping.
But this time, I'm all set to go! Yet, for some reason, many of the shows I want to see have Tuesday 7 PM showtimes. When did this start?
Broadway shows usually start at 8 PM. I'll have to skip tonight.
Once my body warms up from the airplane's air conditioning, I'll head to the hotel restaurant for a meal. My head feels a bit fuzzy, like after eating shaved ice. So sleepy!
September 2 (Wed) Sunny
Times Square is as bustling with people as ever, after so long. It's sad to see so many familiar shops have closed due to the recession. I was particularly surprised that Virgin Records is gone. My late-night haunt...
2:00 PM "WEST SIDE STORY" $125.5 @THE PALACE THEATRE
Bravo! "WEST SIDE STORY" is perfect no matter how many times I see it! This is a masterpiece! It's cool from the opening curtain, and it gives me chills. It suits the theater, and the sound, dance, lighting, and sets are all perfect.
You can see the respect for Shakespeare in the author's work, and for Bob Fosse in Jerome Robbins' choreography. You can also sense Michael Jackson's respect for WEST SIDE STORY. It makes me happy to see how good things are passed down.
8:00 PM "9 to 5" $176.5 @MARQUIS THEATRE
A typical American office comedy musical.
The story is about three office ladies who take down their harassing boss. All the actors, including the three ladies, deliver performances with both strength and flexibility. It's exhilarating to watch.
Is it closing soon? When I bought two programs, they were $20 each, but I got two for $20. They were also giving free programs to people buying T-shirts.
Still, the theater is too cold. My head has been aching for days. I bring a cardigan, of course, and even a lap blanket, but some people are wearing sleeveless tops...
For a late-night snack, I bought vegetables, yakisoba, etc. from a deli and ate them at the hotel with beer. For lunch, I had shio ramen and gyoza at 'Sapporo'!
September 3 (Thu) Sunny
For brunch, I had my favorite French toast at Park Coffee on the first floor of the Wellington Hotel. I devoured two thick slices. For dinner, I met up with Japanese acquaintances living in New York at the Japanese restaurant 'Tsushima'.
8:00 PM Musical "Next to NORMAL" $111.5 @BOOTH THEATRE
It was a very poignant musical. There are only six cast members. No dancing, just singing! The songs are quite challenging, with many powerful numbers.
In musicals in this country, even in trios or quintets, you can hear each voice clearly. Are the singers that good, is the mixing that good, or is the theater that good? It must be all of them.
It depicts the struggles of a family watching over a wife who develops a mental illness after losing her son.
Broadway still has many stages where adults can be the protagonists. Or rather, those with talent are given work that matches it. I keenly feel this is the natural order of things.
Drinking Bourbon's "Suteki Style" at the hotel
September 4 (Fri) Sunny
I went to scout the SKIRBALL CENTER, where Koki Mitani will stage a play starring Shingo Katori in November. It's right in front of Washington Square.
For those unfamiliar with New York, Washington Square is a bit of a distance from Times Square, the heart of Broadway. It's the 'Washington Square' that's also a song. It's a peaceful and lovely place. It's wonderful that a performance can be held here. The hall is also very beautiful. Though I only saw it from the outside (laughs). I immediately sent a photo to Koki-san.
8:00 PM "The 39 Steps" $114 @HELEN HAYES THEATRE
This time, I decided to see just one straight play. I didn't understand a word of the dialogue, but I laughed a lot. The show's highlight is that only four actors (one woman, three men) perform, with two of the men playing multiple roles, which is why I went to see it.
All four actors are incredibly skilled and work tirelessly, delivering a hilarious performance! Truly working their magic!! It makes me happy to see performers like this, even overseas. 'Ah, we're all the same!' (laughs).
The set and set changes are full of ingenious ideas, down to the smallest detail!! The quick costume changes using just hats are hilariously funny and reminded me of Yoshi Kajiwara from 'Onsen Fufu'. And the costume changes for the right and left halves of the body reminded me of my recent 'Asura Man' persona! Or perhaps Masatoshi Sakai's traditional act...? This technique is used in this country too!! (laughs)
September 5 (Sat) Sunny
2:00 PM "BILLY ELLIOT" $256.5 @IMPERIAL THEATRE
This was a premium ticket. All the tickets so far were priced for orchestra seats, which is like Japan's S-seats. The evening show tickets were around $350. It's that popular. I feel lucky just to have seen it during my short stay!
It's famous as the movie 'Billy Elliot'. Need I say more! It's wonderful!! Absolutely wonderful!! Everything!!
This is why I can't give up on NYC and Broadway. I truly feel glad to be alive. I wish all my friends and acquaintances could see it.
8:00 PM "IN THE HEIGHTS" $121.5 @RICHARD ROOGERS THEATRE
I had a slight misconception. I thought it was purely a Hip Hop-style show, but it had a Latin vibe.
I was overwhelmed by the powerful solo performance of a grandmother who must have been over 60.
On Broadway, mature adults are actively performing.
The sunny, pleasant weather continued throughout my stay.
It was a holiday weekend in New York, and the crowds were immense.
Enjoyable time off flies by so quickly.
It might not seem like I ate much, but I ate whatever was convenient. I bought food from delis or ate at cafes. I'm not particularly interested in 'food' in America!
Overall, the actors' performances, dance, and singing on Broadway are all the result of training and discipline!
Nothing less. And are the audiences also a result of training and discipline? Wonderful!
If we attribute it to differences in culture and ethnicity, that's one thing, but the audience's reactions go beyond applause and cheers. For example, if a sad word is spoken that shouldn't be on stage, a collective sigh of despair ripples through the audience, enveloping the theater in sadness.
And then, the audience is remarkably well-mannered. It's truly, inexplicably silent. You can't hear coughs or the rustling of candy wrappers. Occasionally, couples exchange glances and kiss, but there's no sound, and it's not bothersome at all (laughs).
I loved "Jersey Boys" which I saw last year and wanted to see it again, but unfortunately, time was limited. I hope it's still running when I can go again...
Reflections on the WOWOW Drama 'Mama wa Mukashi Papa datta' Filming
'Mama wa Mukashi Papa datta' – Huh? What does that mean? Anyone would tilt their head in confusion! I, who played the role, was one of them.
I had heard the term 'gender identity disorder'.
And yet, I had only registered it as a 'term,' not really understanding it as a 'medical condition,' or at least, that's how I perceived it.
There are actually a few people around me who fit that description, but I've never touched upon such delicate matters. I've always treated them as human beings, not defined by whether they are male or female. That's precisely why I've avoided the topic.
However, for the individuals themselves, 'gender' is an extremely important issue, and the problem begins there. Without clarity on that point, they feel they cannot live as people. I learned this through the drama.
When I was offered this role, I thought, 'Eh!? Me?!'
Honestly, I wondered if a beautiful man or a large woman would be better suited for the role... And of all people, I'm petite and delicate. I thought it was absolutely impossible! Initially, I was leaning towards declining.
However, after receiving persistent invitations from the producer and screenwriter, Ms. Shizuka Oishi, I agreed to meet with them. What I realized then was that I was trying to play only the 'appearance' of the character. The problem wasn't there! They clearly showed me the right direction.
It's not just about 'gender identity disorder' (※Gender identity disorder is a medical term referring to a condition where one's gender identity differs from the sex assigned at birth), but also about how one lives after gender reassignment surgery. Whether they have children or not. The laws differ accordingly. The situation is a struggle on that front as well.
I decided to sincerely portray the life of a woman who, despite being legally recognized as female and living as a mother, faces societal prejudice, protects her children, navigates friendships and romantic relationships with her ex-wife, and fights against the legal system. To take on this role, I had to overcome an extremely demanding filming schedule. It felt like I was sacrificing sleep.
As a side note, when I consulted Koki Mitani about this role, he immediately said, 'You must do it!' He added, 'Toda-san, roles with a certain risk really suit you. I really want to see it.' In effect, that one sentence gave me a significant push.
Filming began at the end of March, after the Tokyo performances of 'The Hit Parade' concluded. During that period, I juggled the Osaka performances of 'Hippare,' the Suzunari theater performances of Kibako's 'Sui.', the Nagoya performances, as well as other dramas and variety shows.
Once I decided to take the role, I didn't agonize over it. I simply tackled each problem as it arose within the character's context and performed steadily.
The schedule was far more demanding than anticipated. I couldn't find time to memorize lines for 'Mama wa Mukashi Papa datta' or for other projects, and I felt regret every day, my heart crying. In fact, I'd almost fall asleep in the bath while desperately memorizing the long lines for the drama. Almost in tears? (laughs)
The child actors playing my sons were my solace. During scenes with long lines, the younger son, sitting beside me, would encourage me, saying, 'Just a little more,' as we progressed through the scene, and I found them truly endearing.
I've played many mother roles before, but unusually, I have a photo of the three of us – myself and the children – displayed in my room.
Around the time we entered the latter half of filming, I had the good fortune to meet Junko Mizuno, the real-life inspiration for the drama. I had seen her on TV news and documentaries, but this was my first time meeting her in person.
In reality, she works as a Shinkansen Nozomi train driver. Her hairstyle is long and straight, just like mine. For me, who rarely wears skirts, the fact that she wears skirts makes her look feminine, but she was undeniably a woman to anyone who saw her. Inside and out, of course. Naturally.
I've met her several times since then, and she's always concerned about her children – nothing less than a 'mother'.
After meeting Ms. Mizuno, it felt like a switch had been flipped within me without my realizing it.
The staff around me also commented, 'There's something about her that overlaps with Ms. Mizuno.' As the filming progressed to include more scenes of lawsuits and petitions, and as my costumes increasingly resembled the suits I had seen Ms. Mizuno wear, I believe that contributed to my own fighting spirit becoming more real. It was a very good timing to meet her, rather than at the very beginning of filming.
After filming concluded, when asked in interviews, 'How does it feel to be starring in a TV drama for the first time?', I was momentarily at a loss for words. (Though I understood they meant no harm) I wanted to ask in return, 'What would it be like if I weren't the lead? Is that really the important part?' I never once considered the implications of being the lead. I believe I will continue to simply portray the role in front of me, as I always have. Not as a protagonist or supporting character, but in this work, I felt I was 'Hitomi Kotani'.
Thank you all so much for watching and supporting me. I offer my heartfelt gratitude.
Keiko Toda - Program Information
NHK Stop-Motion Puppet Show "Shin - Sanjushi"
Educational TV 18:00-18:20
Episodes 1-5
October 12 (Mon) - October 16 (Fri)
Episodes 6-10
October 19 (Mon) - October 23 (Fri)
Episode 11 onwards
October 30 (Fri) - Every Friday
"Buratamo"
NHK General October 1 (Thu) Start
Every Thursday 22:00-22:43
Narration
Stage Information
Kishinogumi Production
'Karakuri' Based on "Trap" by Robert Thomas
October 16 (Fri) - 25 (Sun) Shimokitazawa Honda Theater
Reservations & Inquiries
Gekidan Kishinogumi Tel. 048-442-2187
http://www.h3.dion.ne.jp/~kishinog
