"With its syrupy ballads and lavish stage pictures, the Takarazuka-based all-female company seems to be trying to emulate its more famous big sister. In practice, the shaky vocals and tinny canned music makes this event feel more like a high-concept karaoke lounge...Messiness aside, no serious Fringer would want to miss the opportunity to see a Japanese musical...Even if the show isn't very good, you are still transported to a land of pure fantasy and unapologetic entertainment."
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“The all-female cast, while not the most polished vocalists, are incredibly energetic and expressive. Indeed, I sometimes abandoned the subtitles entirely because, even if I missed a detail here and there, it became clear that the acting would communicate whatever I needed to know...For those looking for something fun and easy to digest, this is probably not the best production to see. But for those who like being challenged, there is a lot to appreciate and grapple with.”
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"Everything, right down to the movement of the scenery, is performed with precision and skill. The book, music, lyrics and staging are all by the enormously talented Tsujii, who has rehearsed her troupe very thoroughly. The production evokes traditional Japanese theatre forms, yet is as light and nimble as a contemporary musical...The color, exuberance and music make 'The Legend of Oni' a delight. It is a production full of warmth and magic."
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"The authentic sights and sounds of the spectacular show will transport you to another time and bring to life the age-old traditions of historic Japanese culture...Each and every member of the thirteen-woman ensemble is heartfelt in her delivery and expressive in her performance and vocals…They fully engage the audience for every second of this compelling and meaningful top-quality production."
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“It’s like experiencing ‘live’ anime, spiriting you away on a visual merry-go-round of fantastical creatures, stories, and sensations...The performers are feisty warriors who whip around the stage like runaway Catherine wheels...A beautiful piece full of lush visual imagery, intense emotional performances, and rich theatricality...I wish I could bottle the enthusiasm and effervescence of this company.”
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