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Yu Todoroki

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Yu Todoroki (轟 悠 Todoroki Yū) is a former member of Takarazuka Revue. As an otokoyaku (player of male roles), she joined the revue in 1985, became the top star of Snow Troupe in 1997, before transferring to Superior Members (Senka) in 2002. In 2003, she became the youngest member to serve on the company's board of directors. Todoroki stepped down from her position as member of the board of directors on July 18, 2020, and functions now as a special advisor. In 2021, she resigned from the company and retired from the entertainment world.

She is from Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto Prefecture. Her birthday is August 11.

Todoroki typically took on the roles of morally grey, charismatic men, who have a historic background or are actual historical figures. Notable roles include: Luigi Lucheni (Elisabeth), Ravic (Arch of Triumph), Rhett Butler(Gone with the Wind), Abraham Lincoln (For The People) and Ernesto "Che" Guevara (Che Guevara).

Troupe history

  • Moon Troupe: 1985–1988
  • Snow Troupe: 1988–2002
  • Superior Member: 2002–2021

General information

Todoroki is often considered to be one of the most notable actresses in Takarazuka history, partially due to her 37 year history with the company.

Todoroki Yu's ability to portray men in a realistic fashion, as opposed to the "ideal man" approach otokoyaku usually take, has been the key to her success. This manliness is also the reason, why even off-stage Todoroki's gender has caused some confusion. Michael Kunze and his wife, the dog of a fellow actress, as well as some French men reportedly perceived Todoroki Yu as male.

Debuting in Moon Troupe in 1985, she gained popularity when she was transferred to Snow Troupe in 1988. Like her juniors who went on to become top stars, such as Yōka Wao and Jun Sena, she was a solid "second man" to Fubuki Takane, her top star superior. Upon the resignation of Takane in 1997, she became Snow Troupes top star.

During her time as Snow Troupes top star, she became the third top star to be partnered with legendary top musumeyaku Mari Hanafusa, but their time together was short due to the formation of the Cosmos Troupe in 1998, when both Hanafusa and Todoroki's "second man" Yōka Wao were transferred to the new troupe.

After a four year run as Snow Troupe top star, when Hitomi Tsukikage, her top partner, resigned from the company, she considered resigning as well. However, Yachiyo Kasugano, Todoroki's teacher (member of the theater since 1929; with the company until her death in 2012), persuaded her to stay. With this, she became the second top star in the company's history to resign from top star status but remain in the company by joining the Superior Members group (Yuri Haruna is the first case). Following this, she continued to make special appearances in both the Grand Theater performances and small-theatre productions of other troupes until her resignation in 2021. In 2003, also upon the invitation of Yachiyo Kasugano, she became a member of the Takarazuka Board of Directors. She is the youngest to serve on the board of directors in the company's history.

In 2008, she joined Cosmos Troupe for the musical A Morning Breeze, based on the life of Jiro Shirasu. This was the first time she had appeared in a Cosmos production since the troupe's establishment in 1998 and made her one of the few actresses who has participated the productions of all five troupes within the company.

The Cuban embassy commended her portrayal of Ernesto Guevara in the musical Che Guevara.

She enjoys painting and has held exhibitions for her works 6 times.

In addition to stage performances, she has held two concerts; Stylish! (Aoyama Theater) in 2002 and Lavender Monologue (Takarazuka Bow Hall, Nippon Seinenkan Hall) in 2007.

Todoroki was a special supporter of the 2019 World Women's Handball Championship and sang Japan's national anthem at the opening ceremony.

Her nicknames are "Tom" and "Ishi-san".

Notable performances and roles

Moon new actor era

Snow new actor era

  • Rose of Versailles (1989) - Andre
  • The Great Gatsby (1991-92) - Biloxi, Jay Gatsby (shinjinkoen performance)
  • Myth of Lovers (1992) - (First leading performance at Takarazuka Bow Hall)

Snow era

Snow top star era

Senka era

With Flower Troupe

  • Gone with the Wind (Nissay Theater, 2002) - Rhett Butler
  • A Flute Named Wind (2003) - Matsudaira Tadateru Kazusanosuke (first Takarazuka Grand Theater performance as a Senka member)
  • The Odd Couple (2012) - Oscar Madison
  • For The People (2016) - Abraham Lincoln

With Moon Troupe

With Snow Troupe

With Star Troupe

With Cosmos Troupe

Dinner Shows and Concerts

  • L'hortensia de Juin (Dinner Show, 1997)
  • Les Jours d'Amour (Dinner Show, 1999)
  • Stylish! (Concert, 2002)
  • Alpha - 20ans FACE OF YU (20th Anniversary Dinner Show, 2005)
  • Lavender Monologue (Concert, 2007)
  • Eternal Way With Yu (30th Anniversary Dinner Show, 2015)
  • Yu 35, A New World (35th Anniversary Dinner Show, 2019)

(Since 1997 Todoroki Yu has the tradition to hold a dinner show every year.)

Awards

  • 2000 - 55th ACA National Arts Festival, award of excellence (theater): Ravic (Arch of Triumph)
  • 2002 - 28th Kikuta Kazuo Theater Awards: Rhett Butler (Gone with the Wind)
  • 2002 - 12th Japanese Movie Critics Awards, (musical): Rhett Butler (Gone with the Wind)
  • 2017 - 24th Yomiuri Theater Awards, award of excellence (actress): Abraham Lincoln (For the People)

References

  1. Nikkan Sports Online Newspaper, 07.19.2020
  2. "轟悠が宝塚退団会見「自然に」「正直な気持ち」 - 芸能 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-05-03.
  3. 『宝塚おとめ 2017年度版』 Takarazuka Creative Arts,2017，p7.ISBN 978-4-86649-004-5
  4. "宝塚・轟悠が退団会見「自分の心に素直に従う」と理由を語る". スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). 2021-03-18. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
  5. ""男役のお手本"轟悠ラスト舞台初日 未来担う後輩へ「立派になれよ」 - 宝塚 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-05-03.
  6. News Article Sponichi Annex Newspaper
  7. Announcement 24th IHF Women's Handball World Championship Official Website
Preceded byFubuki Takane Top Star (Otokoyaku) for Snow Troupe
1997-2002 		Succeeded byYu Emao
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