In August, there are a lot of activities in Nogizaka. Live, promotion activities for new singles, autumn sports games, dubbing for movie roles, and handshake meetings scheduled on the schedule, all the activities are filling the holidays for the members, most of whom are still students.
In addition, there is an unknown musical waiting for everyone at the end of the month. Only a few members of the group had participated in formal musicals before joining the group. Many people are unsure, especially after watching videos of classic musicals such as "Annie", "Les Misérables" and "Phantom of the Opera" at Erika Ikuta's suggestion.
Generally speaking, for a formal musical, not counting the preparation of the script, costumes, props, stage design and other elements, the rehearsal alone will take the actors at least a few weeks to a few months.
Nogizaka needs to complete rehearsals and start official performances before September 1st, and there is not much time left for them. It’s hard to imagine whether the content and difficulty level of this musical will allow the members to quickly master it.
Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long for the secret to be revealed. Less than a week after the release of the third single, rehearsals for the performance finally began.
"The original musical for this performance is called "16 Protagonists."" At the Shibuya PARCO Theater, Nango Yui stood on the stage and glanced at the members sitting in the audience.
Hearing this name, Amamiya Shiori frowned.
16, is exactly the number of members selected. 16 people are the protagonists, and the remaining people are destined to be supporting roles. If it is too much, it may not even be appropriate.
"Yes, just as everyone thought," Nanxiang Yui saw the changes in the members' expressions and understood in her heart. “Not everyone can be in a musical.”
Many members have already lowered their brows.
"This musical is divided into two acts. The first act is for the purpose of selection and consists of the team's singing and dancing review and self-introduction. Afterwards, the audience will act as examiners to vote on the spot using their mobile phones, and the top 16 will be the second act. The performers of the musical. The roles performed are also determined based on the number of votes." Yui Nango introduced the general aspects of the musical.
This is the first time for the members to personally experience this kind of voting to determine the order, but everyone is familiar with it, and it is easy to think of the controversial large-scale event next door-the general election.
The self-introduction in the first act is similar to the "general election political opinions" expressed by the candidates before the general election. They mention their personal strengths and shining points, describe their future goals, and win the support of fans. The audience's on-site voting corresponds to AKB fans' voting by buying single CDs. The announcement of the vote results corresponded to the opening of the general election, and did not even include the speech.
Isn't the division of roles based on votes in the second act the same as the division of positions based on votes in the general selection? It turns out that the "position determined by voting" mentioned by Yasushi Akimoto at the beginning of the group's establishment is reflected here.
"In other words, among the members participating this time, regardless of selection or under, they may play a certain role." Nango Yui said, "Performing for 9 consecutive days, there will be changes in personnel and roles in the second act every time. "
The starting point of the operation is also to train the members' abilities. Although this is said, it can be foreseen that the result of the first selection will definitely be based on the usual popularity. Members with low popularity have fewer scenes themselves, making it even more difficult to be selected.
After introducing the schedule, the training started non-stop.
The first thing the members got was the musical script. In the first act, in addition to the self-introduction part that requires members to express themselves freely, there are also group dances and intermission scenes. The second act is a musical based on "Alice in Wonderland".
It can be said that it is a musical, but the plot of the second act is too simple, or there is basically no plot, and it is just an element that connects several song performances.
Songs to be performed in the second act include "Riding on the White Clouds", "Impatient Snail" and "Run!" Bicycle" "Beginner" "The Courage of the Left Breast". Except for "Beginner", which was AKB's first million-selling single, the others are all Nogizaka's own songs.
The roles in the second act are equivalent to the positions. Alice No. 1 is in the center, No. 2 Queen and No. 3 White Rabbit are in the first row, followed by No. 4 Cheshire Cat, No. 5 Hat House, and No. 6 March Rabbit, number 7 dodo. The remaining poker characters are equivalent to the third row.
Because the members who will appear in the second act are not sure every time, everyone needs to memorize all the characters' lines and dance moves.
On the basis of ensuring proficiency, the self-introduction in the first act is more important. A distinctive self-introduction is the key to standing out from the members.
The self-introductions of more than thirty people took up most of the performance, and everyone had to show themselves within one or two minutes.
In what form should it be introduced? What characteristics should you show? Will this leave an impression on the audience? In addition to morning and evening training these days, the members have been thinking about these issues in their free time.
"Try harder! Be emotionally involved!" the dance teacher in the audience shouted loudly, and the members on the stage danced hard. Scenes like this are staged every day at the PARCO Theater.
Unprecedented pressure has fallen on the members, not only heavy dance practices, but also deep uneasiness.
During lunch time, although everyone was still smiling while eating and chatting, the tiredness in their eyes could no longer be concealed.
When the photographers from the "Where's Nogizaka" crew came backstage to shoot footage, the members also expressed to varying degrees the hard work of rehearsals.
Time comes on the 31st, the final rehearsal.
In just a few days, many members have been injured due to overtraining, and many members have secretly cried because of too hard work.
"Tonight's rehearsal, although not a formal performance, is our victory day. There will be dozens of staff outside the venue to vote for everyone to decide the performer of the second act." Nango Yui said, "Tomorrow is the weekend , there will be two consecutive performances. Tonight’s selection is for everyone to be mentally prepared. Regardless of whether you are selected or not, please take a positive view.”
Nango Yui glanced at the director in charge of the musical.
The director understood. "Well, everyone, get ready, let's begin. Lights, music."
"wo~wo~wo~wo~wo~wo~wo~wo~" accompanied by the melody of "Poetry of Nogizaka", the performance began.
The members wore various private clothes and entered from the left and right of the stage.
Then as the music progressed, everyone finally put on their number plates and lined up in order.
"good morning everyone!"
"Good morning!" Members bowed in greeting.
"Next, the selection of the 16 characters who will appear in the second act performance will begin. The review includes dance and self-expression. We look forward to your performance."
"Hi!"
"First is the dance review, everyone disperse."
Following the instructions of the narration, "five six five six seven eight," the members danced enthusiastically, as if they wanted to incorporate vigorous vitality and high fighting spirit into every movement. Although it was not neat, everyone tried to integrate their feelings into the dance during these days of practice.
"Work harder! Be more energetic!"
Hearing this, the members became even more energetic.
"Okay, now we are divided into three teams, Team A from No. 1 to 10, Team B from No. 11 to 20, and Team C from No. 21 to 32. Let's start showing ourselves!" The narrator gave an order, and the members sorted according to the order of fifties followed the prearranged arrangement. Good position grouping.
