Yu Todoroki (轟悠 ''Todoroki Yū'') is a current member of

Takarazuka Revue The is a Japanese all-female musical theatre troupe based in Takarazuka, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. Women play all roles in lavish, Broadway-style productions of Western-style musicals and stories adapted from films, novels, manga, and Japane ...

, where she plays an otokoyaku. She joined the Revue in 1985, became the top star of Snow Troupe in 1997, transferred to Superior Members in 2002 (upon the resignation of her top star partner Hitomi Tsukikage) and became the youngest member to serve on the company's board of directors in 2003. Todoroki stepped down from her position as member of the board of directors on July 18th 2020 and functions now as a special advisor. She is from Hitoyoshi,

Kumamoto Prefecture is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyūshū. Kumamoto Prefecture has a population of 1,748,134 () and has a geographic area of . Kumamoto Prefecture borders Fukuoka Prefecture to the north, Ōita Prefecture to ...

and her birthday is August 11. Todoroki usually plays morally grey, charismatic men, who often have a historic background or are actual historical figures. Notable roles include:

Luigi Lucheni Luigi Lucheni (April 22, 1873 – October 19, 1910) was an Italian anarchist and the assassin of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Early life Luigi Lucheni was born Louis Luccheni in Paris on April 22, 1873. His father, unknown, and his mother ...

( Elisabeth), Ravic ( Arch of Triumph), Rhett Butler (

Gone with the Wind Gone with the Wind most often refers to: * ''Gone with the Wind'' (novel), a 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell * ''Gone with the Wind'' (film), the 1939 adaptation of the novel Gone with the Wind may also refer to: Music * ''Gone with the Wind'' ...

Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln ( ; February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was an American lawyer, politician, and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Lincoln led the nation thro ...

(For The People) and

Ernesto "Che" Guevara Ernesto Che Guevara (; 14 June 1928The date of birth recorded on /upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/Ernesto_Guevara_Acta_de_Nacimiento.jpg his birth certificatewas 14 June 1928, although one tertiary source, (Julia Constenla, quoted ...

(Che Guevara). Her nicknames are Tom and Ishi-san.

Troupe history

*Moon Troupe: 1985–1988 *Snow Troupe: 1988–2002 *Superior Member: 2002–present

General information

Currently referred to as "Top of the Tops" in the Revue, she is considered to be one of the greatest Takarazuka actresses in this generation and has many fans. When Hitomi Tsukikage, her second top star partner in Snow Troupe, resigned from the company, she considered resigning as well since she had reached the height of her career in the company. However, Yachiyo Kasugano, Todoroki's teacher (member of the theater since 1929; with the company until her death in 2012), persuaded her to stay and she became the second top star in the company's history to resign from top star status but remain in the company (

Yuri Haruna Yuri may refer to: People and fictional characters Given name *Yuri (Slavic name), the Slavic masculine form of the given name George, including a list of people with the given name Yuri, Yury, etc. *Yuri (Japanese name), also Yūri, feminine Jap ...

is the first case). In 2003, also upon the invitation of Yachiyo Kasugano, she became a member of the directors of the company, the youngest ever to serve the board of directors in the company's history. Todoroki Yu's ability to portray men in a realistic fashion, as opposed to the "ideal man" approach otokoyaku usually take, has been the key to her success. This manliness is also the reason, why even off-stage Todoroki's gender has caused some confusion.

Michael Kunze Michael Rolf Kunze (born 9 November 1943, in Prague) is a foremost German musical theater lyricist and librettist. He is best known for the hit musicals '' Elisabeth'' (1992), '' Dance of the Vampires'' (1996), ''Mozart!'' (1999), ''Marie Antoine ...

and his wife, the dog of a fellow actress, as well as some French men reportedly perceived Todoroki Yu as male. Debuting in Moon Troupe in 1985, her career began blossoming when she was transferred to Snow Troupe in 1988. Like her juniors who went on to become top stars, such as

Yōka Wao is a Japanese performing artist and a former member of the Takarazuka Revue, where she specialized in playing male characters (''Otokoyaku''). She joined the revue in 1988 and resigned in 2006. Her nicknames are Takako (from her real name: Tak ...

and

Jun Sena , is a Japanese actress and former top star of the Takarazuka Revue's Moon Troupe, a Japanese theatre organization in which women portray all parts. She was born April 1, 1974, and grew up in Suginami, Tokyo. During her time in the Revue, she was ...

, she was a solid "second man" to

Fubuki Takane Yuki Asada (born 4 December 1965), better known by her stage name , is a Japanese actress and a former member of the Takarazuka Revue, where she specialized in playing male characters (Otokoyaku). She joined the revue in 1983 and resigned in 19 ...

, her top star superior. Upon the resignation of Takane, she rose to the top of her career on the Takarazuka stage. Currently as a member of Senka (Superior Members), she sometimes makes special appearances in the Grand Theater performances of other troupes. She also stars in smaller-theater productions with other troupes. She was the third top star to be partnered with legendary top musumeyaku

Mari Hanafusa (born February 28, 1973) is a former member of the Takarazuka Revue, in which she specialized in female roles (''Musumeyaku''). She is from Tokyo and joined the revue in 1991 and retired in 2006. She is the first and the only musumeyaku of her clas ...

, but their time together was short due to the formation of the Cosmos Troupe in 1998, when both Hanafusa and Todoroki's "second man"

were transferred to the new troupe. After a year without any performances at the Grand Theater, she joined Cosmos Troupe (Top Stars:

Yūga Yamato (born August 4, 1977) is a former '' otokoyaku'' (a female playing a male part) for Cosmos Troupe of Takarazuka Revue. She joined the company in 1995 and became the top star in February 2007 upon the resignation of Kei Takashiro, which made her ...

and

Hana Hizuki Hana or HANA may refer to: Places Europe * Haná, an ethnic region in Moravia, Czech Republic * Traianoupoli, Greece, called Hana during the Ottoman period * Hana, Norway, a borough in the city of Sandnes, Norway West Asia * Hana, Iran, a city ...

) for the musical ''Dawn Wind'', based on the life of Jiro Shirasu, started in February 2008. This was the first time she had appeared in a Cosmos production since the troupe's establishment in 1998 and made her one of the few actresses who has participated the productions of all five troupes within the company. Over the years Todoroki Yu's acting on stage has received quite a lot of praise and earned her a series of awards. Furthermore, the Cuban embassy commended her portrayal of

Ernesto Guevara Ernesto Che Guevara (; 14 June 1928The date of birth recorded on /upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/Ernesto_Guevara_Acta_de_Nacimiento.jpg his birth certificatewas 14 June 1928, although one tertiary source, (Julia Constenla, quoted ...

in the musical ''Che Guevara''. She enjoys painting and has held exhibitions for her works 6 times. Todoroki Yu has held two concerts so far. ''Stylish!'' (Aoyama Theater) in 2002 and ''Lavender Monologue'' (Takarazuka Bow Hall, Nippon Seinenkan Hall) in 2007. Todoroki was a special supporter of the

2019 World Women's Handball Championship The 2019 IHF World Women's Handball Championship, the 24th event hosted by the International Handball Federation, was held in Japan from 30 November to 15 December 2019. The Netherlands won their first title after defeating Spain in the final. ...

and sang Japan's national anthem at the opening ceremony. Announcement
24th IHF Women's Handball World Championship Official Website

Notable performances and roles

Moon new actor era

*'' Me and My Girl'' (1987-88) - Gerald Bolingbroke

Snow new actor era

*''

Rose of Versailles , also known as ''Lady Oscar'' and ''La Rose de Versailles'', is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Riyoko Ikeda. It was originally serialized in the manga magazine ''Margaret'' from 1972 to 1973, while a revival of the ser ...

'' (1989) - Andre *''

The Great Gatsby ''The Great Gatsby'' is a 1925 novel by American writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. Set in the Jazz Age on Long Island, near New York City, the novel depicts First-person narrative, first-person narrator Nick Carraway's interactions with mysterious mil ...

'' (1991-92) - Biloxi, Jay Gatsby (shinjinkoen performance) *''Myth of Lovers'' (1992) - (First leading performance at Takarazuka Bow Hall)

Snow era

*''

'' (1994) -

Rhett Butler Rhett Butler (Born in 1828) is a fictional character in the 1936 novel ''Gone with the Wind'' by Margaret Mitchell and in the 1939 film adaptation of the same name. It is one of Clark Gable's most recognizable and significant roles. Role Rhe ...

(Takarazuka Cast); Rhett Butler and

Ashley Wilkes George Ashley Wilkes is a fictional character in Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel ''Gone with the Wind (novel), Gone with the Wind'' and the 1939 Gone with the Wind (film), film of the same name. The character also appears in the 1991 book ''Scarl ...

(Tokyo Cast) *''Akanesasu Murasaki no Hana'' (1995, 1996) - Prince Naka no Ōe *''JFK'' (1995) - Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister and activist, one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968 ...

*'' Elisabeth'' (1996) - Luigi Lucheni *''Natasha of the Rainbow'' (1996, 1997) - Takeshi Kurisaki *'' Kamen no Romanesque'' (1997) - Chevelier de Danceney

Snow top star era

*''Ghost at Midnight'' (Top Star Debut, 1997) - Charles *''Shun'ou Fu'' (1997-1998) - Jana Ryuuzan *''THE FICTION'' (1998) - One-Man Show based on the life of

Giacomo Casanova Giacomo Girolamo Casanova (, ; 2 April 1725 – 4 June 1798) was an Italian adventurer and author from the Republic of Venice. His autobiography, (''Story of My Life''), is regarded as one of the most authentic sources of information about the c ...

*''

'' (1998) -

*''The Man Called Bacchus'' (1999, 2000) - Julian Grandgeorges *'' Arch of Triumph'' (2000) - Ravic *''In Search of El Dorado'' (2001) - Yataro Iwasaki *''Flaming Love'' - Fuchai, King of Wu (final performance as the top star of Snow Troupe, 2001-02)

Senka era

With Flower Troupe

*''

'' (Nissay Theater, 2002) - Rhett Butler *''A Flute Named Wind'' (2003) - Matsudaira Tadateru Kazusanosuke (first Takarazuka Grand Theater performance as a Senka member) *''

The Odd Couple Odd Couple may refer to: Neil Simon play and its adaptations * ''The Odd Couple'' (play), a 1965 stage play by Neil Simon ** ''The Odd Couple'' (film), a 1968 film based on the play *** ''The Odd Couple'' (1970 TV series), a 1970–1975 televisi ...

'' (2012) - Oscar Madison *''For The People'' (2016) -

With Moon Troupe

*'' Rome at Dawn'' (Takarazuka Grand Theater, 2006) -

Julius Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar (; ; 12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC), was a Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in a civil war, and ...

*''

Oklahoma! ''Oklahoma!'' is the first musical theater, musical written by the duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, ''Green Grow the Lilacs (play), Green Grow the Lilacs''. Set in farm country outside the town of ...

'' (Nissay Theater, 2006) - Curly McLain *''

'' (2014, 2015) - Rhett Butler *''

Oedipus Rex ''Oedipus Rex'', also known by its Greek title, ''Oedipus Tyrannus'' ( grc, Οἰδίπους Τύραννος, ), or ''Oedipus the King'', is an Athenian tragedy by Sophocles that was first performed around 429 BC. Originally, to the ancient Gr ...

'' (2015) - Oedipus *''Shigure Hill Road in Nagasaki'' (2017) - Isaji *''Che Guevara'' (2019) -

With Snow Troupe

*''

'' (Nissay Theater, 2002) - Rhett Butler *''Hanakuyou - Commemoration of the Buddha's Birthday'' (Nissay Theater, 2004) -

Emperor Go-Mizunoo was the 108th Emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Go-Mizunoo's reign spanned the years from 1611 through 1629, and was the first emperor to reign entirely during the Edo period. This 17th-century sovereign was n ...

*'' Evgeni Onegin'' (2010) - Evgeni Onegin *'' Arch of Triumph'' (Takarazuka Grand Theater, 2018) - Ravic

With Star Troupe

*''Shigure Hill Road in Nagasaki'' (Takarazuka Grand Theater, 2005) - Isaji *''

Kean Kean may refer to: * Kean (name) * Kean (play), ''Kean'' (play), 1838 play by Alexandre Dumas père based on the life of the actor Edmund Kean, and its adaptations: ** Kean (1921 film), ''Kean'' (1921 film), a German silent historical film ** Kean ...

'' (Nissay Theater, 2007) -

Edmund Kean Edmund Kean (4 November 178715 May 1833) was a celebrated British Shakespearean stage actor born in England, who performed, among other places, in London, Belfast, New York, Quebec, and Paris. He was known for his short stature, tumultuo ...

*''

'' (2011) - Oscar Madison *'' Chapter Two'' (2013-14) - George Schneider *'' South Pacific'' (2013) - Emile de Becque *'' The Lost Glory'' (Grand Theater, 2014) - Otto Goldstein *''

Doctor Zhivago ''Doctor Zhivago'' is the title of a novel by Boris Pasternak and its various adaptations. Description The story, in all of its forms, describes the life of the fictional Russian physician and poet Yuri Zhivago Yuri Andreievich Zhivago is the ...

'' (2018) - Yuri Zhivago *''

Cyrano de Bergerac Savinien de Cyrano de Bergerac ( , ; 6 March 1619 – 28 July 1655) was a French novelist, playwright, epistolarian, and duelist. A bold and innovative author, his work was part of the libertine literature of the first half of the 17th cen ...

'' (2020) - Cyrano de Bergerac

With Cosmos Troupe

*''A Morning Breeze: The Challenge of Jiro Shirasu, the Samurai Gentleman'' (Takarazuka Grand Theater, 2008) - Jiro Shirasu *''

The Eagle with Two Heads ''The Eagle with Two Heads'' (French title ''L'Aigle à deux têtes'') is a French film directed by Jean Cocteau released in 1948. It was adapted from his own play ''L'Aigle à deux têtes'' which was first staged in 1946, and it retained the pri ...

'' (2016) - Stanislas

Dinner Shows and Concerts

*''L'hortensia de Juin'' (Dinner Show, 1997) *''Les Jours d'Amour'' (Dinner Show, 1999) *''Stylish!'' (Concert, 2002) *''Alpha - 20ans FACE OF YU'' (20th Anniversary Dinner Show, 2005) *''Lavender Monologue'' (Concert, 2007) *''Eternal Way With Yu'' (30th Anniversary Dinner Show, 2015) *''Yu 35, A New World'' (35th Anniversary Dinner Show, 2019) (Since 1997 Todoroki Yu has the tradition to hold a dinner show every year.)

Awards

*2000 - 55th ACA National Arts Festival, award of excellence (theater): ''Ravic'' (Arch of Triumph) *2002 - 28th Kikuta Kazuo Theater Awards: ''Rhett Butler'' (Gone with the Wind) *2002 - 12th Japanese Movie Critics Awards, (musical): ''Rhett Butler'' (Gone with the Wind) *2017 - 24th Yomiuri Theater Awards, award of excellence (actress): ''

'' (For the People)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Todoroki, Yu Japanese actresses Takarazuka Revue Living people People from Kumamoto Prefecture People from Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto Takarazuka otokoyaku Year of birth missing (living people)