To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Takarazuka Revue, the world's first all-female musical, "Chicago," will be performed. The cast will feature former Takarazuka stars. A press conference was held on September 17th, with nine main cast members in attendance.

Since its 1996 Broadway revival, "Chicago" has enjoyed a long run of over 17 years, with over 7,000 performances. The songs sung in the show are some of the most iconic musicals in musical history. Furthermore, its comical portrayal of a human drama filled with love and hate makes it easy for even musical novices to immerse themselves in the world of the show, leading to worldwide acclaim and numerous awards for the production, staff, and actors.

However, despite its long history, there has never been a musical with an all-female cast. As a result, this production is attracting keen attention from the original Broadway. The first to appear at the press conference were the three voice actors playing Velma Kelly. Wao Yoko performed "ALL THAT JAZZ" accompanied by live piano accompaniment, sporting a cool expression like a noble cat. Kozuki Wataru, who exuded a coquettish charm and a constant smile while singing, and Mizu Natsuki, who exuded a mature sexiness, each shone with their own unique personalities. Next up were the three voice actors playing Roxie Hart, who performed "ROXIE." Yamato Yuuga, who captivates with his charming appearance and captivating singing voice, Asami Hikaru, who has the cute looks of a small animal, and Takashiro Kei, who impresses with her graceful demeanor, all perfectly matched the image of Roxie, who exudes a delicate appearance but also a hidden strength. The three actors, playing Billy Flynn, the key character of this challenging production, then captivated the female fans in the audience with their rendition of "ALL I CARE ABOUT." Along with Mine Sari's enveloping, gentle presence, Asaji Saki's generous aura, and Shizuki Asa's mysterious charm, each of their graceful movements was Billy's very own, raising high expectations for the opening two months from now. After the performance, everyone sat down and shared their thoughts about the play. Director Yoshikawa Toru commented, "I'm looking forward to seeing how our beautiful cast, like 'walking mirror balls,' will perform this story that is neither pure nor righteous nor pretty. I hope you will enjoy the beauty and coolness of women." The atmosphere instantly warmed to a homey one. Next, Mine said, "I'm extremely honored to be able to perform at this final event of our 100th anniversary," while Asaro commented, "This opportunity came to me in the milestone year after I left the company, got married, and raised children. I want to use all the experience I've gained since retiring to take on this role." Shizuki also expressed her enthusiasm, saying, "I want to make sure it's a success, thinking that this isn't a Takarazuka production, but a Broadway production of 'Chicago.'" Kazuo also recalled being moved to tears on the first day of rehearsal, laughing, "Maybe my tear ducts have gotten weaker as I've gotten older," and Takashiro enthusiastically stated, "I want to create a 'Chicago' that only we can make." A reporter then asked, "I heard there are a lot of vulgar lines in the play. Which one is the most impactful?" Asami replied, "Pee!", the line Roxy says after shooting her lover. Other cast members chimed in, saying, "Roxy is especially full of vulgar jokes." While these comical lines and performances are noteworthy, the production also highlights the inner workings of human nature. Regarding this, Asaro commented, "Because the cast members are older, they have the advantage of having accumulated a variety of life experiences. I hope that they will experience a different charm from when they were active." Nodding beside him, Mine added, "Some of them have had many hardships since leaving the company, but those hardships are a great source of nourishment for performers, so I'm sure they will be able to create an even more compelling 'Chicago.' I hope that you will enjoy this stage full of adult charm." Performances begin on November 1st. Following the opening at the Tokyo International Forum, the production is expected to captivate fans in Osaka, Aichi, and its triumphant return to Tokyo.