I Just Noticed This: A Roxie From Japan In July

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 4/7/12 at 9:25pm

In the midst of all the talk about Pamela Anderson, I just noticed this right now. A Roxie from Japan...how interesting. She is an experienced Roxie...which is great! from RC in Austin, Texas

According to the Tokyo Graph, actress Yonekura Ryoko will join the hit revival of John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse's Tony Award-winning musical CHICAGO this July. She is set to star as Roxy Hart, making her the first Japanese woman to star on Broadway since the 1958 production of Flower Drum Song starring Nancy Umeki. Ryoko will also be the first Japanese performer to portray a lead American character in a long-running Broadway musical.

Ryoko starred as Roxy in the Japanese production of CHICAGO in 2008 and 2010. She will now reprise the leading role on Broadway.

While performing in the show in Japan, Ryoko was inspired to set her sights on Broadway by actress Amra-Faye Wright who played Velma Kelly. Wright, who had previously performed on Broadway, played the role in Japanese.

The Japanese production team contacted producer Barry Weisler. Last August, the Broadway production team requested audition videos from Ryoko. She had to perform all of the songs and scenes in English. "While taking lessons as often as 4 times a week, Yonekura recorded and sent a total of 7 videos, which earned the approval of the production team."

Ryoko has had a successful stage and screen career in Japan.


Read more: https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Yonekura-Ryoko-to-Star-as-Roxie-in-CHICAGO-This-July-20120318#ixzz1rPMBagD7
Yonekura Ryoko As Roxie

Updated On: 4/7/12 at 09:25 PM

[ChenoKahn]

Posted: 4/7/12 at 9:27pm

This is very interesting.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/7/12 at 11:10pm

it's nice to see someone new enter the show. congrats to Ryoko.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 4/8/12 at 9:21am

"The first Japanese woman to star on Broadway since the 1958 production of Flower Drum Song starring Nancy Umeki."

I think somebody's confusing Miyoshi with Nancy Kwan.

update: I just learned that Miyoshi Umeki did use the name Nancy Umeki at one time. Who knew?

Nevermind.

Updated On: 4/8/12 at 09:21 AM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 4/8/12 at 7:48pm

I found these two pictures of Yonekura Ryoko as "Roxie". from RC in Austin, Texas (the lady on the left)

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 4/8/12 at 7:52pm

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 4/8/12 at 8:09pm

Gosh...I'm reading that Yonekura is scheduled to play Roxie on Broadway....get this...for only one week? What's up with that? from RC in Austin, Texas

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/8/12 at 8:20pm

Perhaps an equity issue. (But it does seem awfully silly to bring her over for a week.)

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 4/8/12 at 9:09pm

Only a week or not, I'm impressed by her ambition and (apparent) skill. it must have been such a dream for her to get the chance to play Broadway!

Updated On: 4/8/12 at 09:09 PM

[Hina2]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 6:21am

for a week due to the silly unions