May’n to appear in her first musical, a musical adaptation of Kurosawa Akira’s “Ikiru”

May’n will be appearing in a musical version of Kurosawa Akira’s “Ikiru” in October at the TBS Akasaka ACT Theater, playing a double role.

“Ikiru” is the first Kurosawa Akira film to be adapted into a musical and will star Ichimura Masachika and Kaga Takeshi (both will be playing the role of Watanabe Kanji).  May’n and Yuzuka Fuka (both will be playing the role of Toyo and Kazue).  The musical will be directed by Miyamoto Amon.

The story is about a middle-aged man named Watanabe Kanji who has worked in the same job for 30 years.  His wife has passed away and his son and daughter-in-law lives with hi and all they care about is his pension and their future inheritance.  Watanabe finds out he has a year to live and wants to tell his son, but his son does not pay attention to his father.

May’n and Yuzuki Fuka will be playing the role of Watanabe Kanji’s female subordinate, Toyo, a young woman full of life and because of her enthusiasm, he wants to spend his time with her.  And May’n will also play the  role of Watanabe Kazue, Kanji’s daughter-in-law.

May’n commented, “I really enjoy going to see musicals in my daily life, but I am surprised that I can appear in one.  It’s been 13 years since my debut as a singer but this is my first experience singing in a musical and acting.  Although I don’t have long-term experience and I’m in an unknown world with other performers, I am very nervous.  ”

In regards to her new role, May’n said, “Because it’s a double role, switching characters will be difficult but it will be fun.  I often dreamed that ‘I want to be in a musical someday’.  Now that day has come and my dream come true is happening! I am very happy!  Although it will be my first time, I will learn from it and keep practicing!”

Yuzuki Fuka said about May’n, “I have met May’n several times at work and also have watched her perform in concert.  She has a very powerful and cool singing voice.  I heard we have the same role and thought ‘I have to add more voices!’.

On playing a double role, Yuzuki said, “To be able to play two roles is twice as hard but I think it will be very enjoyable!  I think it’s absolutely great to play multiple roles.  Please come to see us live on stage!”.

Tickets for “Ikiru” the musical will be sold on June 2018.

NOTE: Originally Odagiri Joe’s name was mentioned in a previous news article in Japan but the name was pulled.

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