#1
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
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
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
Updated On: 4/7/12 at 09:25 PM
