Jun Sena
Encyclopedia
, 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 an otokoyaku, an actress who specializes in male roles. After two years of intensive training at the Takarazuka Music School, she joined the revue in 1992 and reached top star status in 2005. Her nicknames are Asa and Asako. The first otokoyaku from her class of 1992 to reach top star status, she resigned her position as top star and retired in December 2009 after the run of Last Play / Heat on Beat and is now pursuing an acting career outside of the Revue.
Sena entered the Takarazuka Music School in 1990 and graduated in 1992. Upon graduation, she was placed in the Revue's Flower Troupe. During her time in Flower Troupe, she had one shinjinkouen (performance for junior troupe members) lead, and also had the lead role in two performances at Takarazuka Bow Hall. In 2002, she had her first lead role as a female character when she performed as Scarlett O'Hara opposite Yu Todoroki
's Rhett Butler in an adaptation of Gone with the Wind
.
As part of the Revue's 90th anniversary celebration in 2004, Sena made a special appearance in a Moon Troupe performance. She was also selected to portray the title role in the 2005 Moon Troupe production of Elisabeth
. Although Sena was never officially transferred into Moon Troupe for these two performances and appeared only as a special guest, she was named the next top star of the troupe in 2005. From that point on until her retirement from the Revue in 2009, Sena would remain a member of Moon Troupe.
. Her doctor suggested certain exercises were necessary for her recovery, so her mother enrolled her in ballet
lessons.
Her stage name, Jun Sena, is a combination of ideas from her parents: Sena comes from Ayrton Senna
, her father's favourite Formula One
racing driver. "Jun" comes from Jun Ariake, a former vice troupe leader of Takarazuka's Moon Troupe, with whom her mother went to high school.
After attending Takarazuka Music School, she was one of the promising young stars promoted by the company in 1999, with Sumire Haruno
, the former top star of Flower Troupe, and Hikaru Asami
the former top star of Snow Troupe. Before she was promoted to top star status, she was considered as one of top-stars-in-waiting, with such other former Cosmos Troupe top stars Kei Takashiro and Yūga Yamato
, former top star of Star Troupe Kei Aran
, and former top star of Snow Troupe Natsuki Mizu
.
In 2001, she had her first leading role in the Bow Hall production Manon
. Her co-star in that production, Kanami Ayano
, later became her top star partner. With the resignation of Mire Aika and Hibiki Takumi as top stars, Sena became a prominent figure in Flower Troupe. When Sumire Haruno
became the top star of the troupe in 2003, Sena became the second man for Haruno.
Sena received much acclaim for two roles in 2003: Luigi Lucheni
, from Flower Troupe's production of Elisabeth
and Sydney Carton
from A Tale of Two Cities
.
In 2004, Sena and classmate Kei Takashiro, who was then a member of Snow Troupe, were invited into the cast of Moon Troupe's production of The Glow of Sunset in Asuka. The pair, with classmate Yūhi Ōzora, had prominent roles in the show. From that time on, Sena was unofficially transferred to Moon Troupe, though officially she was still a member of Flower Troupe. She is the third top star for Moon Troupe that is originally from Flower Troupe and one of two stars that portrayed a female role before becoming an otokoyaku top star.
With the resignation of Nao Ayaki in 2005, Sena became the top star of Moon Troupe with Kanami Ayano
as her partner. Their debut performance was Ernest in Love
, and their début at the Grand Theater was in Jazzy Fairies.
, Sydney Carton
and Jack Worthing. However, she also received praise for her female roles, such as Scarlett O'Hara
in the Flower Troupe production of Gone with the Wind
in 2002 and Elisabeth of Bavaria
in the Moon Troupe production of Elisabeth
in 2005.
Although an otokoyaku usually has a deep voice, her voice is versatile enough to allow her to sing in both the male and the female ranges without any difficulties.
Takarazuka Revue
The Takarazuka Revue is a Japanese all-female musical theater troupe based in Takarazuka, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. Women play all roles in lavish, Broadway-style productions of Western-style musicals, and sometimes stories adapted from shōjo manga and Japanese folktales. The troupe takes its name...
'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
Suginami, Tokyo
is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. In English, it calls itself Suginami City.As of April 1, 2011, the ward has an estimated population of 538,703, with 301,277 households, and a density of 15,834.39 persons per km². The total area is 34.02 km².-Geography:Suginami occupies the...
. During her time in the Revue, she was an otokoyaku, an actress who specializes in male roles. After two years of intensive training at the Takarazuka Music School, she joined the revue in 1992 and reached top star status in 2005. Her nicknames are Asa and Asako. The first otokoyaku from her class of 1992 to reach top star status, she resigned her position as top star and retired in December 2009 after the run of Last Play / Heat on Beat and is now pursuing an acting career outside of the Revue.
Troupe History
Yu Todoroki
Yu Todoroki is a current member of Takarazuka Revue, 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 and became the youngest member to serve on the company's board of directors in 2003...
's Rhett Butler in an adaptation of Gone with the Wind
Gone with the Wind
The slaves depicted in Gone with the Wind are primarily loyal house servants, such as Mammy, Pork and Uncle Peter, and these slaves stay on with their masters even after the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 sets them free...
.
As part of the Revue's 90th anniversary celebration in 2004, Sena made a special appearance in a Moon Troupe performance. She was also selected to portray the title role in the 2005 Moon Troupe production of Elisabeth
Elisabeth (musical)
Elisabeth is a Viennese, German-language musical commissioned by the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien , with book/lyrics by Michael Kunze and music by Sylvester Levay. It portrays the life and death of the Empress consort of Austria, Elisabeth of Bavaria, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I...
. Although Sena was never officially transferred into Moon Troupe for these two performances and appeared only as a special guest, she was named the next top star of the troupe in 2005. From that point on until her retirement from the Revue in 2009, Sena would remain a member of Moon Troupe.
Biography
As a three-year-old, Sena was in a car accident during which she tore her Achilles tendonAchilles tendon
The Achilles tendon , also known as the calcaneal tendon or the tendo calcaneus, is a tendon of the posterior leg. It serves to attach the plantaris, gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to the calcaneus bone.- Anatomy :The Achilles is the tendonous extension of 3 muscles in the lower leg:...
. Her doctor suggested certain exercises were necessary for her recovery, so her mother enrolled her in ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
lessons.
Her stage name, Jun Sena, is a combination of ideas from her parents: Sena comes from Ayrton Senna
Ayrton Senna
Ayrton Senna da Silva was a Brazilian racing driver. A three-time Formula One world champion, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time...
, her father's favourite Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
racing driver. "Jun" comes from Jun Ariake, a former vice troupe leader of Takarazuka's Moon Troupe, with whom her mother went to high school.
After attending Takarazuka Music School, she was one of the promising young stars promoted by the company in 1999, with Sumire Haruno
Sumire Haruno
is a former member of Takarazuka Revue, specializing in otokoyaku. She joined the revue in 1991, became the top star in 2002 and resigned from the company in 2007...
, the former top star of Flower Troupe, and Hikaru Asami
Hikaru Asami
Hikaru Asami is a Japanese performing artist and a former member of the Takarazuka Revue, where she specialized in playing male characters . She joined the revue in 1991 and resigned in 2006...
the former top star of Snow Troupe. Before she was promoted to top star status, she was considered as one of top-stars-in-waiting, with such other former Cosmos Troupe top stars Kei Takashiro and Yūga Yamato
Yuga Yamato
is a former top star 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 the first otokoyaku to be top in her class...
, former top star of Star Troupe Kei Aran
Kei Aran
, , is a Japanese actress and former top star otokoyaku of the Japanese Takarazuka Revue's Star Troupe. She joined the revue in 1991 and became the top star in 2007, five years after her fellow classmates Sumire Haruno and Hikaru Asami became top stars...
, and former top star of Snow Troupe Natsuki Mizu
Natsuki Mizu
Natsuki Mizu is the former top star for Snow Troupe of Takarazuka Revue from 12/24/06 to 09/12/10. She joined the company in 1993 and became the top star in December 2006 upon the resignation of Hikaru Asami...
.
In 2001, she had her first leading role in the Bow Hall production Manon
Manon
Manon is an opéra comique in five acts by Jules Massenet to a French libretto by Henri Meilhac and Philippe Gille, based on the 1731 novel L’histoire du chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut by the Abbé Prévost...
. Her co-star in that production, Kanami Ayano
Kanami Ayano
Kanami Ayano is a former top star for Moon Troupe of Takarazuka Revue. She joined the revue company in 1997 and became the top star along with Jun Sena, a former troupe mate from Flower Troupe...
, later became her top star partner. With the resignation of Mire Aika and Hibiki Takumi as top stars, Sena became a prominent figure in Flower Troupe. When Sumire Haruno
Sumire Haruno
is a former member of Takarazuka Revue, specializing in otokoyaku. She joined the revue in 1991, became the top star in 2002 and resigned from the company in 2007...
became the top star of the troupe in 2003, Sena became the second man for Haruno.
Sena received much acclaim for two roles in 2003: Luigi Lucheni
Luigi Lucheni
Luigi Lucheni was an Italian anarchist who assassinated the Austrian Empress, Elisabeth of Bavaria , in 1898...
, from Flower Troupe's production of Elisabeth
Elisabeth (musical)
Elisabeth is a Viennese, German-language musical commissioned by the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien , with book/lyrics by Michael Kunze and music by Sylvester Levay. It portrays the life and death of the Empress consort of Austria, Elisabeth of Bavaria, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I...
and Sydney Carton
Sydney Carton
Sydney Carton is the central character in the novel A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. He is a shrewd young Englishman and sometime junior to his fellow barrister C.J. Stryver. In the novel, he is seen to be a drunkard, self-indulgent and self-pitying because of his wasted life...
from A Tale of Two Cities
A Tale of Two Cities
A Tale of Two Cities is a novel by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. With well over 200 million copies sold, it ranks among the most famous works in the history of fictional literature....
.
In 2004, Sena and classmate Kei Takashiro, who was then a member of Snow Troupe, were invited into the cast of Moon Troupe's production of The Glow of Sunset in Asuka. The pair, with classmate Yūhi Ōzora, had prominent roles in the show. From that time on, Sena was unofficially transferred to Moon Troupe, though officially she was still a member of Flower Troupe. She is the third top star for Moon Troupe that is originally from Flower Troupe and one of two stars that portrayed a female role before becoming an otokoyaku top star.
With the resignation of Nao Ayaki in 2005, Sena became the top star of Moon Troupe with Kanami Ayano
Kanami Ayano
Kanami Ayano is a former top star for Moon Troupe of Takarazuka Revue. She joined the revue company in 1997 and became the top star along with Jun Sena, a former troupe mate from Flower Troupe...
as her partner. Their debut performance was Ernest in Love
Ernest in Love
Ernest in Love is a musical with a book and lyrics by Anne Croswell and music by Lee Pockriss. It is based on The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde's classic comedy of manners.-Background:...
, and their début at the Grand Theater was in Jazzy Fairies.
Versatility
Sena is famous for her portrayal of a series of such strong male characters as Luigi LucheniLuigi Lucheni
Luigi Lucheni was an Italian anarchist who assassinated the Austrian Empress, Elisabeth of Bavaria , in 1898...
, Sydney Carton
Sydney Carton
Sydney Carton is the central character in the novel A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. He is a shrewd young Englishman and sometime junior to his fellow barrister C.J. Stryver. In the novel, he is seen to be a drunkard, self-indulgent and self-pitying because of his wasted life...
and Jack Worthing. However, she also received praise for her female roles, such as Scarlett O'Hara
Scarlett O'Hara
Scarlett O' Hara is the protagonist in Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel Gone with the Wind and in the later film of the same name...
in the Flower Troupe production of Gone with the Wind
Gone With The Wind (musical)
Gone with the Wind is a musical based on the Margaret Mitchell's novel of the same name and its 1939 film adaptation, with music and lyrics by Margaret Martin, and a book by Martin, adapted by Sir Trevor Nunn....
in 2002 and Elisabeth of Bavaria
Elisabeth of Bavaria
Elisabeth of Austria was the spouse of Franz Joseph I, and therefore both Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary. She also held the titles of Queen of Bohemia and Croatia, among others...
in the Moon Troupe production of Elisabeth
Elisabeth (musical)
Elisabeth is a Viennese, German-language musical commissioned by the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien , with book/lyrics by Michael Kunze and music by Sylvester Levay. It portrays the life and death of the Empress consort of Austria, Elisabeth of Bavaria, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I...
in 2005.
Although an otokoyaku usually has a deep voice, her voice is versatile enough to allow her to sing in both the male and the female ranges without any difficulties.
Flower Troupe appearances
- Speakeasy - Macheath (New Actor Show lead)
- Manon - Rodrigo (first leading performance at Takarazuka Bow Hall)
- Gone with the Wind - Scarlett O'HaraScarlett O'HaraScarlett O' Hara is the protagonist in Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel Gone with the Wind and in the later film of the same name...
- In the Amber-Hued Rain - Michel de Plaire (Grand Theater) / Louis Valentin (Tokyo)
- ElisabethElisabeth (musical)Elisabeth is a Viennese, German-language musical commissioned by the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien , with book/lyrics by Michael Kunze and music by Sylvester Levay. It portrays the life and death of the Empress consort of Austria, Elisabeth of Bavaria, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I...
- Luigi LucheniLuigi LucheniLuigi Lucheni was an Italian anarchist who assassinated the Austrian Empress, Elisabeth of Bavaria , in 1898... - Immortal Thorns - Albert
- A Tale of Two CitiesA Tale of Two CitiesA Tale of Two Cities is a novel by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. With well over 200 million copies sold, it ranks among the most famous works in the history of fictional literature....
- Sydney CartonSydney CartonSydney Carton is the central character in the novel A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. He is a shrewd young Englishman and sometime junior to his fellow barrister C.J. Stryver. In the novel, he is seen to be a drunkard, self-indulgent and self-pitying because of his wasted life... - Akanesasu Murasakino Hana - Prince ŌamaEmperor Temmuwas the 40th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Temmu's reign lasted from 672 until his death in 686.-Traditional narrative:...
Flower-Moon performances
- The Glow of Sunset in Asuka - Nakatomi no Kamatari/Prince Karu
- ElisabethElisabeth (musical)Elisabeth is a Viennese, German-language musical commissioned by the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien , with book/lyrics by Michael Kunze and music by Sylvester Levay. It portrays the life and death of the Empress consort of Austria, Elisabeth of Bavaria, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I...
- ElisabethElisabeth of BavariaElisabeth of Austria was the spouse of Franz Joseph I, and therefore both Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary. She also held the titles of Queen of Bohemia and Croatia, among others...
Moon Troupe Top Star performances
- Ernest in LoveErnest in LoveErnest in Love is a musical with a book and lyrics by Anne Croswell and music by Lee Pockriss. It is based on The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde's classic comedy of manners.-Background:...
- Jack Worthing (Top Star debut) - Jazzy Fairy - Patrick Gale (Top Star debut at Grand Theater)
- Rose of Versailles (special appearance in Snow Troupe performance) - Andre
- Rome at Dawn - Marcus Junius BrutusMarcus Junius BrutusMarcus Junius Brutus , often referred to as Brutus, was a politician of the late Roman Republic. After being adopted by his uncle he used the name Quintus Servilius Caepio Brutus, but eventually returned to using his original name...
(with special guest star Yū TodorokiYu TodorokiYu Todoroki is a current member of Takarazuka Revue, 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 and became the youngest member to serve on the company's board of directors in 2003...
) - Akanesasu Murasakino Hana - Prince ŌamaEmperor Temmuwas the 40th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Temmu's reign lasted from 672 until his death in 686.-Traditional narrative:...
- Higher Than the Sky of Paris - Armand Jacquet
- Love at Dal Lake - Hachiman
- The Magician's Melancholy - Champsdor
- A-“R”ex - Alexander the Great
- Me and My GirlMe and My GirlMe and My Girl is a musical with book and lyrics by Douglas Furber and L. Arthur Rose and music by Noel Gay. It takes place in the late 1930s in Hampshire, Mayfair, and Lambeth....
- Bill - ElisabethElisabeth (musical)Elisabeth is a Viennese, German-language musical commissioned by the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien , with book/lyrics by Michael Kunze and music by Sylvester Levay. It portrays the life and death of the Empress consort of Austria, Elisabeth of Bavaria, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I...
- Der Tod - Last Play - Alistair
After Takarazuka
- ElisabethElisabeth (musical)Elisabeth is a Viennese, German-language musical commissioned by the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien , with book/lyrics by Michael Kunze and music by Sylvester Levay. It portrays the life and death of the Empress consort of Austria, Elisabeth of Bavaria, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I...
- ElisabethElisabeth of BavariaElisabeth of Austria was the spouse of Franz Joseph I, and therefore both Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary. She also held the titles of Queen of Bohemia and Croatia, among others...
(2010 TohoTohois a Japanese film, theater production, and distribution company. It is headquartered in Yūrakuchō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, and is one of the core companies of the Hankyu Hanshin Toho Group...
production)