Magcal Performing Arts Academy was opened in October 2014 with playwright and director Kensuke Yokouchi as its principal. Since 2016, the academy has been holding hall performances every summer.
The show kicked off with "Baito Show YOKOHAMA - Youth Edition" in 2016, evolved into "Baito Show - International Edition" in 2017, and "Baito Show - BEST Edition" in 2018. Now in its fourth year, the even more polished "Baito Show - Platinum Edition" was performed at the Youth Center Momijizaka Hall from August 15th to 18th.
We will report on the whole story!
The curtain opens and beyond it is a large audience seating area.
At the time of the premiere, the "Theater in Theater" format, where the audience seats were set up on the revolving stage, became a hot topic, but this year's style of rotating the stage with the audience and using the entire theater as acting space 360 degrees is still alive and well. It's an exciting opening.
New members joined the academy in May, increasing the total number of students to 48!
From the audience to the stage, the actors rush one after another, captivating their gazes with their passionate, earnest gazes.
They put on hats and started with a dance number for everyone.
The audience is seated on the stage where the dancers are performing. The up-tempo music and the thunderous rhythm of the dancers' steps heat up the audience's hearts!
The stage rotates, revealing the stage on the right side. The story of three women who aim to become professional dancers begins. Dance practice or part-time work? Dreams and real life? There seems to be no choice but to make this choice, and the quarrels never end.
The stage turns again, and another story begins on the left side of the stage. A group of friends aiming to make their debut as a band sing and talk about their lives filled with part-time jobs.
The play unfolds as an omnibus of several stories, incorporating showtime-like scenes as it moves forward.
One of the highlights is that it incorporates a wide range of musical elements, including rock, pop, and jazz. It should be a great experience for the academy students.
Of course, humor is also important.
In between her dreams and her part-time job, a little romance blossoms...
As their dreams differ, their short-lived love comes to an end...
I spend my days washing dishes while glaring at the clock hands that never seem to move.
You will be captivated by the fast-paced development and unique dance moves.
Then, the part-time idol group Momijizaka 81-10 appears.
Singing and dancing to "Mirai Create" with lots of smiles!
After the bright and cheerful moments, we return to the harsh world of reality.
In contrast to the heavy story, there was a scene where a ladder next to the stage was used as a set, and I thought, "That's so cool, like New York!"
Betrayed by his friends, his dreams shattered, he once again spends his days working part-time jobs...
To pursue your dreams, you need friends to work hard with you.
I was relieved to see the reconciliation scene.
The highlight is definitely the dancing!
"Baito Show", which is the theme song for the entire series, appears many times in various arrangements.
It gradually becomes familiar to your ears, and you'll find yourself singing along and dancing along too!
The pose is decided and it seems like a happy ending... or so I thought...
Even if you work hard together, it doesn't mean you'll get lucky together. This cool reality hits you right after the excitement.
But it's okay. I have friends, so I can keep going!
For the younger generation chasing their dreams.
For the adults who once had passionate days.
And to those who have grown old without ever dreaming.
It was a performance that conveyed a passionate message that could only be conveyed through a musical.
The academy students have received practical lessons from top instructors in singing, dancing, acting, and other fields. For them, the stories on stage are real.
keep it up!
Friends of Magcal Performing Arts Academy!
Production Notes
Kensuke Yokouchi (writer and director)
The Magcal Performing Arts Academy has added its fifth batch of students, bringing the total to 48.
It has been almost five years since the academy opened in October 2014. This spring's auditions saw applications from people with experience in theater and dance, as well as young people who saw the spring results presentation, giving us a sense of confidence that the academy is becoming more widely recognized.
On the other hand, I was surprised to notice that there was a difference in ability between the 5th batch students and the existing members. It's only natural, since they had been trained by such a wonderful group of instructors, but when the school first opened, it was just a "gathering of amateurs" (laughs). They have grown so much.
In fact, some of the members have gone on to study vocal music at music colleges and are active on professional stages. The younger generation who grow up watching them can be expected to grow at a faster rate than ever before.
What are the highlights of this year's main performance "Baito Show - Platinum Edition"?
We especially focused on the "singing." Although there are still areas where we need to improve, we have seen remarkable progress in vocalization and technique, so we added four new songs, including solos.
Although the basic story is the same, the details of the episodes and the cast change each time, so it is always a challenge for the academy students. By repeating familiar scenes such as dance numbers, we hope that they will acquire deeper expression.
What are your plans for the future?
It has been decided that a new "Performing Arts Department" will be established at Kanagawa Comprehensive High School in 2021. Of course, this is not the end of the Academy's role, but I think we need to take another step forward.
The Kanagawa Youth Center provides an ideal environment for theatrical activities. We hope to continue using this center as a base to support young people and promote theatrical activities throughout Kanagawa Prefecture.
