[Ticket giveaway] This summer's hottest musical "Bait Show -BEST Edition-"

Magcal Performing Arts Academy was opened in 2014 with the aim of nurturing performing arts professionals. Under the direction of the school's director, playwright and director Kensuke Yokouchi, we offer practical lessons from top instructors in various fields, including vocal music, dance, and acting.

A musical performance that can be said to be an announcement of the results will be performed at the Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center Momijizaka Hall on Saturday, August 18th and Sunday, August 19th.
The title is "Bait Show -BEST Edition-".

In the summer of 2016, ``Bite Show YOKOHAMA -Seishun Hen-'' was performed in a theater-in-theater format, with audience seats temporarily set up on a rotating stage around the hall, and the entire theater turned into a 360-degree performance space. ”. In 2017, we improved the "Bite Show - International Edition!" -” was performed.
This summer, we will be returning to the Youth Center Hall as an even more powerful version of ``Bite Show -BEST Edition''.
Young actors who have been trained and nurtured at youth centers run through the 360-degree revolving stage with passion. Don't miss out on the stage full of singing, dancing, and acting!

《Pick Up Interview》

Ms. Mayo Hyodo
When I saw the Academy's spring recital, I was moved to see people my age working hard and helping each other improve, so I decided I wanted to try it too, so I auditioned.

It's only May of this year, so I'm still struggling just to learn how to dance. It's a lot of pressure to dance with seniors who have been dancing for years, but for the audience, it doesn't matter whether they're seniors or newcomers. I will do my best with a strong feeling that I will not lose!

Shiori Yokota
He has been a member of the academy since its inception.
At first I was trying my best to keep up, so I can't watch any videos from that time (lol). At that time, I was just interested in musicals, but after seeing people who were active on stage up close, I began to seriously think, ``I want to be active in this world, too.''

Since the title is the same, I think some people might think, "It's the same thing again," but if you actually watch it, I think it's completely different. There are some changes in the content, and we received a lot of new songs. I think it will be a stage that will definitely be enjoyed by both those who have come in the past and those who are coming for the first time this year.
We will make a ``Part-Time Show'' that will make people say, ``This year was the best!''

《Production Notes》

We visited the rehearsal room before the main event and spoke to the principal, Mr. Yokouchi.

What kind of stage is “Bait Show”?

This is a life-sized musical that was originally performed by our theater company (Tobiza) and was remade to suit young students. The inspiration came from the Broadway musical "Rent." Jonathan Larson, who created this play, suddenly passed away just before it opened on Broadway, but his sister, who attended the Tony Award ceremony and gave a speech on his behalf, said these words more than 20 years later: It still remains in my heart.

"Aspiring artists working hard while washing dishes here in New York. Don't despair. Have hope. My brother was like that too."

I thought this might be true in Japanese cities as well. If you have a dream, you have to work hard for that dream. However, the more realistic that dream is, the more money you need to make it come true, and the more concrete problems you have to face in order to survive. ``Bite Show'' is a musical that summarizes these hardships and challenges as a story.

This is actually your fourth year, but how do you feel when you see the students at the academy?

At first, it was so bad that I didn't know what to do with it (lol). There were some people with some experience, but basically it was just people who wanted to do it, and it was far from the kind of adult theater we were looking for. So in my first year, I remember saying, ``Do it with your heart.''

As this continued into the second and third years, the level of the members increased dramatically. There are people who go to music college and seriously study vocal music, and some people start working as professional dancers. It's no longer a ``body-on'' situation like it used to be.

So this time, we really raised the bar. Some of the new members are inexperienced, so it's undeniable that they are lacking in some areas. However, the advanced players are trying to perform at a high level, so I want to respond to their wishes.
We're also adding new episodes and new songs, so we hope you'll see a new version of "Byte Show."

Mr. Yokouchi, please tell us about your thoughts on the academy.

It would not be an exaggeration to call the Prefectural Youth Center, which is the base, a ``sacred place'' for those who have performed in high school theater in Kanagawa Prefecture. Our goal is to revitalize this place and send out new information.
This year, we are entering a new phase, with companies supporting cultural activities becoming sponsors. I feel like we are pioneering a new way for public halls to be, so I would like to expand this movement even further.

Magcal Performing Arts Academy Performance 2018
“Byte Show - BEST Edition- ”

[Date and time] August 18th (Sat) 13:00/18:00 August 19th (Sun) 12:00/17:00
[Venue] Kanagawa Prefectural Youth Center Momijizaka Hall
[Fee] General advance ¥2,000 General same day ¥2,500
Advance ticket for university students and under: ¥800, on-the-day ticket for under-students: ¥1,000