English Title: Speakeasy ~The Pure-Hearted Crooks of Chicago, the Windy City~ / Sniper ~The Shooter of Love~
Japanese Title: Speakeasy ~ 風の街(シカゴ)の純情な悪党たち ~ / スナイパー ~ 恋の狙撃者 ~
Romanized Title: Speakeasy ~Kaze no Machi (Shikago) no Junjou na Akutou~ / Sunaipaa ~ Koi no Sogekisha

Troupe: Flower
Year: 1998
Performances: Takarazuka, 5/15 - 6/22; Tokyo, 8/22 - 10/5
Shinjin Kouen Performances: Grand Theater, 6/2; 1000 Days Theater, 9/8

Speakeasy:

Based On: The Threepenny Opera by Bertolt Brecht.
Author/Director: Tani Masazumi
Original Composer: Kurt Weill
Music Composed/Adapted By: Yoshizaki Kenji, Miyahara Tooru
Choreography: Shou Sumire, Ueshima Yukio, Iga Yuuko
Shinjin Kouen Director (Takarazuka): Ogita Kouichi
Shinjin Kouen Director (Tokyo): Kodama Akiko

Sniper:

Author/Director: Ishida Masaya
Music Composed/Adapted By: Nishimura Kouji, Minami Yasuo, Bob Sakuma
Choreography: Yamada Taku, Ai Erina, Sekine Reiko, Irie Toshiaki, Miori Yumino
Conductor: Nomura Youji

Available on DVD: VHS only

Role	Cast	Shinko Cast
Macheath (Mac the Knife)	Maya Miki	Sena Jun
Polly Peachum (Mac's 3rd wife)	Sen Hosachi	Sawaki Kurumi
Jonathan Peachum (Polly's father)	Aika Mire	Mizu Natsuki
Larry Rockit (police superintendant, Mac's comrade in arms)	Takumi Hibiki	Mayuzuki Kou
Jenny (a prostitute, Mac's lover)	Shino Yuka	Ootori Rei
Lucy Rockit (Larry's daughter, Mac's 2nd wife)	Nagisa Aki	Ayano Kanami
Charles Randy (an author of musicals)	Iori Naoka	Ranju Tomu
Celia Peachum (Jonathan's wife)	Takayagi Midori	Eri Chiaki
Maggie Rockit (Larry's wife)	Machikaze Kana	Momoka Sari
Bradley (Mac's man)	Haruno Sumire	Ranka Rea
Alfred (Mac's man)	Mayuka Reo	Shiran Masumi
Curtis (Mac's man)	Asazono Miki	Muko Ayumi
Douglas (Mac's man)	Sena Jun	Matake Suguru
Edwin (Mac's man)	Mizu Natsuki	Sou Kazuho
Frederick (Mac's man)	Ranju Tomu	Aine Harei
Rebecca (prostitute)	Futaba Karen	Kouno Marika
Cynthia (prostitute)	Misono Erika	Nazuki Mika
Janet (prostitute)	Suzukake Miyuki	Maikaze Rira
Kathy (prostitute)	Sakuragi Emi	Yumeji Honoka
Patricia (prostitute)	Ootori Rei	Hayase Ayu
Dolly (prostitute)	Sawaki Kurumi	Ayakaze Ran
Gregory (marriage swindler)	Ootomo Reika	Saki Nozomi
Herbert (insurance swindler)	Kizuki Ayumu	Natsuho Akira
Irving (counterfeiter)	Sagami Rei	Ouka Reiya
Jacob (gambling cheat)	Masaki Kazusa	Kino Kotose
Mrs. Todolli (mother/daughter swindler)	Ichihara Kei	Utahana Yumi
Molly (Todolli's daughter)	Maikaze Rira	Fuzuki Miyo
Kenneth (jailor)	Kazato Yuma	Yuuma Rin
Rev. Walker	Isono Chihiro	Ayukawa Natsuki
Little Suzie Lee	Ayano Kanami	Mihiro Seisa
Queen	Shiran Masumi	*
Matthew (policeman)	Yabuki Shou	Masaki Kazusa
Norman (policeman)	Ranka Rea	Mihiro Seisa
O'Brien	Masaoka Nao	Sou Kazuho
Patrick	Mayuzuki Kou	Aine Harei
Mrs. Simpson	Shou Tsukasa	Momoka Sari
Mrs. Lawrence	Sachimi Anna	Nanami Sara
Mrs. Galland	Utahana Yumi	Mimori Sayaka
Mrs. Lamonte	Eri Chiaki	Hosaki Rinna
Jailor	Sou Kazuho	Kazeo Ibuki
Raymond	Matake Suguru	*

Other Cast: Suzuha Ranno, Hanaki Yuina, Takami Ryou, Shima Arata, Renjou Runa

WARNING!! MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!!

The setting is Chicago during the Prohibition Era. Macheath, or "Mack the Knife", the king of the underworld, has been accused of a countless number of crimes and is waiting for his execution the next day. In his prison cell, he begins to tell Randy, a writer of musicals, the true story of "Mack the Knife".

The story begins with his first encounter with Polly. At the pep rally for the Chief of Police Larry Rockit, who will be running for Governor of the state of Illinois, Macheath falls in love at first sight with Polly, who is attending with her mother Celia. Macheath acts immediately. He tells Polly, "You'll be my wife by tomorrow." At first she is stunned by his audacity, but although she is the daughter of a swindler, it does not take much time for her to become a captive of Macheath's love.

Jonathan Peachum, the boss of the Chicago Swindler Cooperative Society, is shocked to learn that the man his daughter has fallen for is the atrocious "Mack the Knife". Jonathan's principle is to use artistic means to make money, and he despises Macheath, who resorts to violence. But Polly goes so far as to marry Macheath without permission. Jonathan, furious, comes up with a way to tear Polly and Macheath apart and also make some money, i.e. to send Macheath to his death. He puts his plans to action with his wife Celia and the members of the Society.

Polly points out that it would be impossible to arrest Macheath because he and the Chief of Police Rockit are war buddies, and all evidence of Macheath's crimes has been eliminated from the Chicago Police. But Jonathan, with his pride as the boss of swindlers, storms that he will start a full-scale war between the gang and swindlers, dragging in the Police as well. First, Jonathan threatens Rockit, saying that he will interfere with the election by gathering every swindler in Chicago. Rockit, who is no longer able to protect Macheath, warns Polly that Macheath should hide somewhere for a while.

Macheath, who is cornered, entrusts his business to Polly during his absence and disappears. Meanwhile, Celia Peachum visits Macheath's mistress Jenny and asks for her assistance. She tells Jenny to call the police immediately if Macheath appears. Macheath, who comes to the Speakeasy (underground pub) where Jenny works as usual, is sold by her and is captured by the police. Jenny has become tired of his freewheeling love.

Wealth speaks in prison as well. Macheath's prison life is free from worldly cares. Then Lucy, Rockit's daughter, comes to see him. She was also Macheath's mistress. She is furious about his marriage to Polly and while he is calming her, Polly appears. But he manages to bear out the battle between the two women in silence. Polly leaves in tears. Macheath uses Lucy and talks her into getting him the key to the cell from the guard, and easily makes his escape. He does not go to Polly, but to his wife in Chinatown, Little Suzie Lee. When Jonathan hears of this, he immediately sets Rockit to the task and drags Macheath back to prison.

The day of the execution arrives. A crowd has gathered in front of the prison to witness the end of "Mack the Knife". Macheath steps forward to receive his sentence, after giving a few words according to his aesthetics. People call out his name repeatedly. Amid their chanting, he comes back. "Now you all know," Macheath says, "that we can find compassion in dramas rather than in the law. I'll stick to my way of doing things to the very end no matter what."

Everyone is elated, and the story ends happily, and leads to a merry finale.

---

There is an arch made of lights in the shape of a rifle onstage. Sniper 1 (Male) appears from within a set in the shape of a scope. When he fires a machine gun at random, dancers appear. With the Female Snipers, they all sing and dance sharply to the theme song.

Sniper (Male) 1 ~ Maya Miki
Sniper (Female) 1 ~ Sen Hosachi
Sniper (Male) 2 ~ Aika Mire




This section is a short revue of the life story of a figure called Harimao, also known as the "Tiger of Malai", who although a Japanese played an important part in Southeast Asia's gaining of independence after the Second World War.

After Harimao's song, the curtain opens to show a set of the jungle of Southeast Asia (Malaysia). The women of the village sing and dance. Suddenly, drunken soldiers of the occupation army appear and attempt to kidnap Village Woman 1. Then, Harimao appears with his men, who are good thieves, and saves the woman and the village. The battle dance.

Village Woman 1 ~ Sen Hosachi
Harimao ~ Aika Mire
Occupation Army Solder ~ Takumi Hibiki




Gigolo 1 in a tuxedo appears, and sings, "Life is a gamble / By the way, why do all the woman fall for me?" The set changes into a casino, and he finds himself being seduced by the girlfriend of the boss of the mafia. So he fights it out with the boss at the slot machine. Gigolo 1 wins brilliantly. This is a fun scene like a musical, with appearances by the spirit of coins and other such figures.

Gigolo 1 ~ Maya Miki
Boss's Girl ~ Shino Yuka
The Boss ~ Yabuki Shou




The Wright Brothers and children sing "Dreaming of the Vast Sky". A scene with ballet-like dance and a chorus.

Wilbur Wright ~ Takumi Hibiki
Orville Wright ~ Iori Naoka




The central part of the show, with the airport as the stage. Maintenance men, pilots and pursers appear and sing and dance about the yearning for sky travel. Travellers join in. This is the airport in Rio. When the women wearing outfits for the Carnival in Rio appear to welcome the travellers, the music changes to a Latin beat and everyone begins to dance.

Singing Pilot 1 ~ Maya Miki
Singing Purser 1 ~ Sen Hosachi
Man of Rio 1 ~ Aika Mire
Singing Pilot 2 ~ Takumi Hibiki, Iori Naoka
Woman of the Carnival 1 ~ Shino Yuka




A show-scene in the form of a comedy, featuring celebrities and the paparazzi and reporters who pursue them. Kelly, a famous actress, and Michael, a star, secretly go to a restaurant together but are discovered, and the restaurant is thrown into a commotion. Reporters gather and an impromptu press conference is held. Michael becomes furious, and attempts to escape with Kelly.

Michael ~ Maya Miki
Kelly ~ Sen Hosachi
Paparazzi ~ Aika Mire




In the ghetto area where the Jewish people were forced to live, a wedding is being held. Although the people are discriminated against and are poor, they feel a momentary happiness. Then, the Gestapo and the German soldiers appear, and the Jewish people are placed in a freight car. The lovers are torn apart despite their strong resistance.

The scene changes to the concentration camp in Auschwitz. The sky is hanging heavy and dark. The lovers are reunited in the concentration camp. The young man attempts to escape ...

The scene is in the image of heaven. The spirits of the lovers are united forever in the heavens.

Jewish Young Man 1 ~ Maya Miki
Jewish Young Woman 1 ~ Sen Hosachi




A modern and extravagant finale. In the end, an overwhelming parade by all members is featured.

Man in Parade 1 ~ Maya Miki
Woman in Parade 1 ~ Sen Hosachi
Man in Parade 2 ~ Aika Mire

• The Takarazuka run was the final performance for Nanami Sara, who retired between shows.
• The Tokyo run was the final performance for top stars Maya Miki and Sen Hosachi, as well as Shino Yuka, Sakuragi Emi and Natsuho Akira

• Fans of the Sena Jun/Ayano Kanami top combination will be delighted to note that in the shinjin koen for this production, Mihoko played Lucy to Asako's Macheath.

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