[Review] Musical The Odasaku (Musical ザ・オダサク)

Hello my lovelies,

Firstly I am sorry for posting uber late, the reason is simply because I don not have the motivation to write about this musical. There was nothing (good) much I could write about without pausing every other line to remember vaguely what made me smile when exiting the theater on that day.

Many of you readers might know that I was crazy about J-Pop boy bands at one point of my life and basically did an over research about them and for a short amount of time I sort of fell in love with one of the ex-group members of NEWS, Uchi Hiroki.

The Odasaku [ザ・オダサク] working poster

Luckily enough for me, I was given the chance to see him in action at one of his play around last month. The play called The Odasaku (ザ・オダサク). Like many other musicals, this musical was about love.

Synopsis
    Set in the good old days of early Showa era in Osaka, an author born in the Taisho era called Oda Sakunosuke’s life story of his short 33 years is being relived on the beautifully propped stage and washed with pretty lights.
     The play depicts the life story of Oda Sakunosuke from his bratty young adult life up till his death. While battling with a rival play writer Morimoto Kaoru, Oda Sakunosuke found the love of his life and the success that he always dreamed of. Sadly, his life was cut short at the age of 33 by Tuberculosis.

Hamanaka Bunichi (Pic credit to Kansai juniors LJ)

What attracted me to watch this musical in the first place is that Hamanaka Bunichi of Johnny’s Kansai Junior is in it. Since Uchi Hiroki and Hamanaka Bunichi are from the same company, I was expecting at least some great singing and chemistry between them. Not that I was disappointed of the whole musical but there were time when these two actors were in contact with each other in some scene, it just seemed like they were just messing around and experimenting on stage.

Another thing about these two actors are that they have a “tell” when they made a mistake and it was very obvious in a few scenes. Most fans of the Johnny’s Junior world know the strength of Hamanaka is his dance. Naturally, the choreographer took advantage of his ability and made a beautiful work out of his exceptional dancing. Although there was a few times where he either messed up his dance or forgotten his step, he froze a few times on stage. Also most fans knows singing is never his greatest ability, but he have grown quite a lot since the formation of Butoukan (reference). I am not saying his singing is good, just that he have matured more since. It was still amateurish if compared to other singers on stage that day. Though one thing tah he deserve a praise for is his control of character (when ever he is in character; of which he is most of the time) and his projection as well as imagery is amazing, except for some parts he came out like he was mumbling to himself.

Uchi Hiroki (Pic credit to: jenewsdaily)

As for Uchi Hiroki, well, he is very good to look at but there is nothing much I can talk about him. His voice is good, not great, his dance were nice not prefect, his character possession is where I have a little problem with. He has been in many productions before, and he was a good actor in my book but in this production he seemed a little amateurish. Could it be because his antagonist were very good or could it be that he is getting too comfortable of himself on stage or it could be that he thinks that he is already too good for the stage, or it could also be that he is very exhausted.

Niiro Shinya (Pic credit to: Atelier Duncan)

This next person, is some one who I have no idea existed in the musical world but when I do a little reading about him, it seems that he is quite a figure in the musical world already, hence making me understand why did he outshine all others on stage. Niiro Shinya who acted as Morimoto Kaoru was prefect on stage. His presence, his carriage and his placement was just impeccable. His voice were amazing and although his dance were not perfect, but his presence itself made it that much better.

The lead actress of this musical was not bad as well, she was cute as a button, but she was no Sutton Foster. As my readers might already know, Sutton Foster is mentioned quite a bit lately in many of my reviews. Ms. Foster is my favorite Broadway actress and I would compare her to other musical actress a lot. Besides she is also a television star so maybe it’s easier for other people to see the comparison. Back to the musical, while the stress might not be as good as Sutton foster, but she is damn close.

There is another character that in my opinion is very memorable from the musical and he is the father (maybe) of Odasaku’s wife. His character is very spontaneous and very funny. The actor seemed so confortable on stage it seems like he is not even acting instead, he is just talking and singing like it is all very natural to him.

About other dancers and actors, they were okay but not very memorable in anyway. Some were not bad but some were a little amateurish. Their harmony were not bad but there were times that some is outshining each other and stage blocking could be better. There were so many unintentional (I think) upstaging of characters and from my point of view wrong placement of props, thus blinding the audience from viewing what’s going on on stage. Although their projection especially the more matured casts, were good. Even during the mumbling part, it came out clear and understandable yet it can be caught as mumbling.

Technically, the sound and lighting is also a little amateurish and black-box-ish for me. It would work awesomely for smaller production but for a large-scale production such as this it comes out as a little amateurish. To blame the technical problems fully to the staff is uncalled for as the performers should take some responsibility for it as well. During rehearsal and dress rehearsal everything should have been resolved and properly planned as when and what que to be given for certain sound or lighting effects. Technical difficulties such as microphone problems is sometimes just unavoidable and it was handled very professionally by the actor on stage.

All in all, this musical was satisfying but not amazing. The elaborate wardrobe, and props are very well done and there are glitches here and there as well as there are a little bumps here and there. But over all this musical deserves a 7 out of 10 (7/10) stars not only because Niiro Shinya was an amazing cast that could pull the weight by his other casts members but also because the cape on Hiroki makes him look like a star out of a Sherlock Holmes movie and the oh-so-cool-man who smokes to much…

Love and kisses

GWRL