1. What is Takarazuka?
The Takarazuka Revue consists of 5 all-female theater troupes founded throughout the 1920s and 30s (Flower, Moon, Snow, Star), and one in the mid 90s (Cosmos). There is also a specialist troupe (Senka) consisting of superior performers that can join performances of any of the other 5 troupes.
Takarazuka troupes perform primarily at 2 main stages in Hyogo and Tokyo. Each troupe has a Top Star for "otoko yaku", or male lead performances, and a Top Musume for accompanying female leads.
Current Top Star for the Flower troupe, Rio Asumi.
Current Top Musume for the Flower troupe, Ayase Senna.
2. What do they perform?
The Takarazuka Revue perform everything from Broadway musicals and classic Japanese theater, to film, comic, and anime adaptations. They also perform original productions. Some of their most famous performances include Les Miserables, The Rose of Versailles, Gone with the Wind, and Romeo & Juliet. They perform almost 1,500 times per year, and sometimes perform overseas.
3. Why are they so popular?
Takarazuka has an average yearly viewership of 2.5 million people. They are extremely popular for their beautiful costumes, unique performances of various adaptations, and most notably, the actors who take on male roles. The "otoko yaku" have a feverish following, and many female fans often develop feelings for them, especially for the Top Stars.
The Top Stars and Top Musume are the pride of Takarazuka, as well as its backbone; without the Top Stars and Top Musume, "Takarazuka is nothing". The subversion of traditional gender roles is also something that makes Takarazuka extremely popular, particularly in a society whose gender roles are still rigidly defined. Whatever an individual's reasons for loving Takarazuka, it is worth going to see at least once.
If you want to learn more about Takarazuka or order tickets, please visit http://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/english/index.html