[MUSICAL/DVD] AKB Kagekidan [∞・Infinity] 09/10/30-11/8

[Sorceress628]

Holy sh*t.

Thank you Sayaka-sama! And I'm glad that you were able to successfully reach Takamina's neck and lips! *fangirl screams*

Please DVD! DVD! DVD!

[Nao]

A W E S O M E Thanks for these pictures

I need too a DVD................

[BunnyKaisui]

OH GOD! I died...

I really want a DVD release of this musical!!!

[Cristafari]

Saw both shows today, once with each cast. Awesome! i will post a review when i am not so exhausted. But suffice it to say Sayaka was incredible! and Wasamin is a star!!!! And when you see Nakayan and Tanamin in those maid costumes with the blond wigs...ZOMG!

[Adam Sensei]

Wasn't sure if here or the "Experiences" thread was the place to post, but here it goes:

FINAL SHOW of AKB歌劇団「∞・Infinity」, Sunday, November 8, 13:30.

I'll keep it as short as possible and focus on my opinions and what was different with this show. Anyways, my initial impression as the show kicked off was "Who the f*ck are these people!?!?!". I've been out of the loop for some time now, and given I was in a seat close to the back, I had no idea who several of these girls were. It felt like the cosplay event outside had spilled into the theatre.

As the show progressed I wasn't really into it. For the price of the ticket, the production values were poor, the story was turning out to be shoujo-manga rubbish, and the songs were kinda shoe-horned in. After a few songs, I was happy find myself warming to it. Mostly this is due to decent song selection, and the fact they were all performed live. Sayaka and Takamina are brilliantly cast, and make each song their own. Hearing Sayaka sing my 3 favourite team K songs (Pegasus, Maria, Blue Rose) SOLO was outstanding, and she really shined whenever they did the "Infinity" theme, or whatever it's called. It was a phenomenal showcase for her talent, likewise Takamina, though I can imagine how Yukirin may suit the role better. Unfortunately, I honestly can't imagine how Sae would've done it.

In terms of other favourites, the maids were fantastic, and it was nice to see Nacchi utilised well. Nakayan particularly impressed me. Also, props to the four men in the cast. They did a little 3-man manzai-like routine at one point which was a highlight. I've never seen that kind of thing live, but have always wanted to, so that was a bonus for me. Also, the guy playing the vampire hunter had an impressive opera voice, which was another pleasant surprise.

Anyway, today was the last show, so they did some special things. Once the show was over there was, of course, a curtain call, so everyone came out and waved and thanked the audience yet again. Only this time, Takamina and Sayaka were missing. One of the girls stopped the applause and said "Let's call Maria and Ruka~!", so all the girls do and who should appear..........??? YUKIRIN AND SAE in costume~!!! Surprise of the night! Big cheers from the crowd as they lapped up the applause and bowed and waved and so on. Takamina and Sayaka follwed soon after, and all 4 leads bowed and waved. TAKAMINA CRIED PROFUSELY. You could hear her sobbing from her mic, and the other girls kinda comforted her whilst giggling at her.

After each girl did a quick self-intro, Sayaka made a great, heartfelt thank you speech, which sent everyone but herself into tears. They bowed and waved one more time as confetti and streamers fired out over the stage, to their surprise. The curtains closed again, but the applause led them to open one last time. Takamina and Sayaka were on the main stage in an embrace, whilst Yukirin and Sae were doing the same on the stairs to the lower level. NOW THIS IS FUNNY: Sayaka seized the moment and went in for a sexy kiss, which the audience LOVED. Sae noticed and started to laugh, then got Yukirin, who was busy waving, to take a look. Everyone laughed, so Sae also went in for a kiss with Yukirin, but theirs was just cute. Anyway, there was a lot more waving and running around and waving. Sayaka ran up to the gangway/balcony level and posed and waved. Everyone just screwed around for a couple of minutes, and then it was over.

As the lights went up, I saw Kaorin (was that her name? she graduated not long ago) and some friends be escorted from the audience and down to the stage into the backstage area. One of her friends was definitely also an AKB girl, but she went by too quick to recognize. If I had to guess, I'd say it was Imai Yu, but I'm only 15-20% sure of that, so don't quote me. It really was too quick.

I lined up for Takamina's line to get her picture. I just said, "Thank you very much! It was great! 楽しいかった!". Nothing special.

So that's it. Whilst I still think it was overpriced, the performances were great and the show had enough variety to keep me entertained. I do think that the next time they'll need better production values, or a better story, or bigger stars in the cast to get me to go back. It was just enough to satisfy, but it didn't really leave me wanting more, which isn't good for business. The special ending given it was the final show was great, but I think that without that little cherry on top, my review conclude with more of a "so so", rather than a solid "good", which is how I feel about it at this time. Anyway, as I've said in other reviews before, if you're in town, it's worth checking out things like this for the curiosity value alone. Here's hoping they do it again, and put a little more polish into it.

And with that, I disappear into the interwebs for several months yet again. Peace.

[Cristafari]

thanks for the review Adam! I thought of heading over there for the last show, but was still exhausted from yesterday. i'm glad they did something special for the finale.

[yunagi_47]

NOW THIS IS FUNNY: Sayaka seized the moment and went in for a sexy kiss, which the audience LOVED. Sae noticed and started to laugh, then got Yukirin, who was busy waving, to take a look. Everyone laughed, so Sae also went in for a kiss with Yukirin, but theirs was just cute.

Thanks for the review Adam Sensei!!! And omg I wish I could've seen that... Sayaka ROCKS Did I ever mention how lucky Takamina is? And Sae.. awww

I want a dvd so badddd!!!

[ChobiMM3]

FINAL SHOW of AKB歌劇団「∞・Infinity」, Sunday, November 8, 13:30.

Aww, it's over already? It feels like it just started!
But anyways, thanks for the great review! LOL Sayaka never ceases to amaze me

DVD now!!

[Jasey]

As the lights went up, I saw Kaorin (was that her name? she graduated not long ago) and some friends be escorted from the audience and down to the stage into the backstage area. One of her friends was definitely also an AKB girl, but she went by too quick to recognize. If I had to guess, I'd say it was Imai Yu, but I'm only 15-20% sure of that, so don't quote me. It really was too quick.

Imai Yu and Oshima Yuko were there

http://ameblo.jp/oshima-y/entry-10383957812.html

[Perfume_Lover]

I want a DVD, too
but I don't like Sayaka's makeup a lot

[dudu]

i really hope that extra bit of *sayaka action* is in the DVD!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ChobiMM3]

NOW THIS IS FUNNY: Sayaka seized the moment and went in for a sexy kiss, which the audience LOVED.

LOL I wonder if Sayaka informed Takamina that she was going to do that I can just imagine Takamina's shocked face and her thinking "But Sayaka, the play is over!"

[churrochi]

^ Oh no, Takamina....the play was just the beginning.

Great review, Adam Sensei; looking forward to the DVDs/swag that's bound to come in the future.

[winner]

I only went to the 7th Nov 13:30 one with Sae and Yukirin.
Sorry cos I don't know many of the songs and members.
Here's a bit from my trip:-

I watched the 13:30 show with Sae and Yukirin as the main.
When I got there, the musical had already started.
Lucky I got there just before the thugs started picking on Yukirin. So I just got to see Sae use his wicked vampire-psyche powers on 'em to save the damsel.

For songs, Sae did Blue Rose and Yuki did 109 with some of the girls. Both songs I already liked.
How they made a beach scene into a vampire story just baffles me.
The maid songs were great.
Sae and Yukirin's solos near the end were also really good.
And cos I haven't seen real plays before, seeing the transformation of the stage was fun.

The play itself was easy enough to understand even with my 0% japanese language understanding. I enjoyed it.

The songs were a little weird placed between spots, singing all hyper just after waking up from bed feels... supernatural. yet, entertaining at the same time.

I think it really would've been better if a few more AKB members were in it though. Maybe not the most popular ones, but a few that even basic fans like me could recognise. For the existing group, I could only recognise 1-2 of the remaining cast.
With the success of this though, I hope they can put more resources into the next musical. And more goods for the musical.

When it ended, that was when I found out it was Sae and Yukirin's last showing of Infinity. I didn't know that beforehand, so it was kinda suprising when they said it.
I also didn't know they had stuff after the musical, so I was caught off guard when we had to line up. I, of course used the safest route and went to the longest line. I was assured after seeing the guy in front of me use his mobile and seeing the pic was Yukirin.

So Sae and Yuki came out from the back and started gaving out extra pics for their line (Yuki's was her schoolgirl pic).
I know it's kinda breaking rules to talk and stop the line, but since I might not have such a chance ever I wouldn't mind breaking the rules a little.
After I got the pic from Yuki. I told her I was from HK, and I got her suprised look. That was priceless.
I also said that I really liked Temo Demo no Namida while the staff was pushing me off (glad I got that off my chest). She said "Thank You". And "Bye Bye!" while waving goodbye with that cute shiny smile she has. awww~

Musical pamphlet. These are some of the best AKB pics I've ever seen. EVER!:

[RocketStarLauncher]

Tonight's karaoke event included Katayama and Iwasa singing '吸血鬼と愛の真実'. It says it's from Infinity. What? I'm guessing it's a duet between the lead duo, considering what tonight's girls wore.

non-AKB music in Infinity
-Infinity
-吸血鬼と愛の真実

[haruna_hamasaki]

I just read rui's review and OMG, I was surprised that the musical turned to be extremely awesome. The DVD is a must-get item..

[Kana]

I consider buying it, too Will there be both versions on the DVD? Or will they be released seperately?

[htmfan]

what is "吸血鬼と愛の真実"? can someone romanji it and translate it ??

[twilightkappa]

^
If I'm not wrong,
Kyuuketsuki to Ai no Shinjitsu = The truth of Love and Vampire/ The truth behind loving a vampire? Can't phrase it right in english

[lordfa]

I read casts and I have some questions.
See,

Hone Hone Waltz → Maids and Hone Hone Dancers
109 → Maria and passers

Who are "passers" and "Hone Hone Dancers"? Can you call they names?

I cann't understand what "beach hut" does mean. Beach hut is beach cafe or beach shop or somthing else?

Kyuuketsuki to Ai no Shinjitsu is a song from musical begining while Ruka and Maria lives 250 years ago, isn't it?

non-AKB music in Infinity
-Infinity
-吸血鬼と愛の真実

Can you say who sing this songs and who wrote lyrics and melody? When this songs sing in musical?

[Cristafari]

^ Honehone dancers were Haachan, Nonaka, Chisato and Uchida, they were dressed in the traditional Honehone costumes while Nakayan and Tanamin stayed in character as the maids

"Passers" were essentially all of the girls, but they were dressed to be different characters in the scene, instead of the main characters they played

Beach Hut: In the Beach scene some of the male characters were standing behind what I guess was supposed to be a hut (it looked like a table with a bunch of tropical decorations), while Natsuki helped them sell their food/product/whatever

The Infinity Theme is sung throughout the play, mainly by the two leads (if my memory serves me)

[makistar]

Announced in today's AKBINGO!
AKB歌劇団「∞・Infinity」 DVD
Release date: 2010-03-06

[RocketStarLauncher]

YES! Thanks for the heads-up, Makistar!

I'm now going to scout out for more information.

[twilightkappa]

It's OUT!! Thanks for the info Maki

[tokaikko_x]

YES! SO EXCITED!