(Note: I use AI to help me translate my stories from Japanese to English.)
I saw a musical for the first time in my life. I had seen movies at theaters before, but I had never seen a musical.
Movies are recorded, but musicals are live, and no one knows exactly what will happen. I wanted to experience a live performance.
The musical I saw was The Snow Queen, an original musical from Fukui, Japan. It is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Snow Queen.
The story is as follows:
There is a small boy named Kai and a small girl named Gerda who live in a snowy town. They are friends. One day, a piece of the devil’s mirror enters Kai’s eye. His personality changes completely, and he forgets about Gerda. Kai is taken by the Snow Queen to her palace. Gerda goes on a journey to rescue him.
It is an adventure story about friendship, courage, and love.
Some famous actors and actresses took part in the musical, and many citizens of Fukui, including children, also participated. In total, there were about 70 performers.
On the left side of the stage, there were live musicians: a conductor, violinists, a violist, a cellist, a double bass player, and wind players such as a flutist and an oboist.
The music was composed by Yasuhiro Kasamatsu, a composer from Fukui.
The musical was held at a concert hall in Fukui. The hall was full, with about 1,000 audience members.
Elderly people, adults, children, and even people in wheelchairs came to see the performance.
I sat on the far left, and a small girl sat next to me.
Then the musical began. Since it was my first time seeing a musical, I was very excited.
There was a scene in which more than 50 performers danced on stage. They expressed the joy of life. It was spectacular and breathtaking, and I couldn’t take my eyes off them.
Some performers came down from the stage and danced near the audience. Two performers danced right in front of me, which made me very excited. One woman dancer danced with a big smile.
Then the atmosphere became dark and violent.
The conductor moved his body energetically with the music.
At one point, a performer forgot his lines. After making the mistake, he said the correct lines. I was surprised, but I didn’t feel uncomfortable. I thought that mistakes are part of live performances.
I realized that mistakes can make live performances more exciting and engaging.
The main actress was excellent. Although she was small, she had a clear and powerful voice. She used her whole body to perform, which was very impressive.
I felt that her voice was truly professional, and I was mesmerized by it.
Some performers played the roles of pigeons. They moved their heads back and forth like real pigeons. They really looked like pigeons.
A large man played a reindeer. He walked slowly and bravely. His voice was deep and masculine.
Music and lighting were used to show different situations on stage.
In happy scenes, bright lights and cheerful music were used. In serious scenes, dark lighting and tense music were used.
When the mirror broke into pieces, many small lights were used to represent the fragments of the mirror.
There was a narrator with a deep and masculine voice. I liked his voice, and it made the musical feel more real.
The story was easy to understand and very enjoyable. It had both happy and sad moments, which made it interesting.
I learned that performers and the audience create a musical together.
I also learned that in musicals, performers use their voices and bodies fully to express their emotions.
The performers used the space widely and even danced close to the audience.
Then the musical ended.
All the performers came onto the stage. They waved and bowed deeply to the audience, and then left the stage.
After a few seconds, they came back again. Almost all the audience stood up and applauded.
Finally, the main performers greeted the audience one by one.
The main actress said, “All the food in Fukui is delicious. The people in Fukui are kind. Thank you for coming.”
The new governor of Fukui also watched the musical. He went up on stage and gave a speech.
He said, “The musical was wonderful, and I was deeply moved. Thank you for the great dancing, acting, and music. The view from the stage is beautiful. Please come to Fukui again and perform musicals here again.”
Before buying the ticket, I was worried that the musical might not be enjoyable.
However, my worries were unnecessary. It was truly fun and exciting. When I saw the performers dancing and singing with such energy, I felt a deep sense of catharsis.
Musicals are different from movies. They are live performances and one-time-only events. Even if the same performers perform the same musical, it is different every time.
I am very happy that I was able to see my first musical in my hometown.
I learned that musicals are fun and exciting, and I definitely want to see one again.