:Mari Hanafusa

{{Short description|Japanese actress}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| background = person

| name = Hanafusa Mari

| native_name = 花總 まり

| native_name_lang = ja

| image =

| caption =

| image_size =

| birth_name = Daigo Mariko (醍醐まり子)

| alias = Hana, Fusa, Dai-chan

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|2|28}}

| origin = Tokyo, Japan

| instrument = {{flatlist|

  • Violin
  • Piano

}}

| genre = Musical theatre

| occupation = {{flatlist|

  • Singer
  • Actress

}}

| years_active = 1991–present

| website = {{URL|https://www.blooming-net.com/blooming-agency/hanafusa-mari/}}

}}

{{nihongo|Mari Hanafusa|花總 まり|Hanafusa Mari}} (born February 28, 1973) is a Japanese actress and former member of the Takarazuka Revue. She held the position of Top Musumeyaku (lead female-role) in both the Snow and Cosmos troupes, holding the longest tenure in Takarazuka history at 12 years and 3 months. She’s best known for playing Empress Elisabeth of Austria in the Japan premiere of the musical Elisabeth and is currently active under Blooming Agency.

Troupe membership history

  • Star Troupe: 1991–1993
  • Snow Troupe: 1993–1998
  • Cosmos Troupe: 1998–2006

Personal information

Mari Hanafusa quickly gained audience attention during her early years with the Star Troupe. Only three years after her debut in 1991, she was appointed as the Top Musumeyaku (lead female-role) star of the Snow Troupe in 1994. During her career, Hanafusa partnered with five different Top Otokoyaku stars—Maki Ichiro, Fubuki Takane, Yū Todoroki, Asato Shizuki, and notably, Yōka Wao, her longest-running partner. Her tenure remains the longest in Takarazuka history for a musumeyaku, with 12-year and 3-month.

In 1994, she became the first musumeyaku ever to achieve Top billing during a newcomer performance as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind. Traditionally, such billing had exclusively belonged to male-role actors (otokoyaku), marking her performance as a notable exception.{{Cite web |title=Mari Hanafusa |url=https://www.blooming-net.com/blooming-agency/hanafusa-mari/ |website=Blooming Group|language=ja}}

Hanafusa’s portrayal of Elisabeth in the Japanese premiere of the musical Elisabeth in 1996 became one of her signature performances. She subsequently continued to take on numerous significant roles, such as Carmen in Passion: José and Carmen, Marie Antoinette in The Rose of Versailles, and Christine in the Japanese premiere of Phantom. {{Cite web |title=Mari Hanafusa |url=https://www.blooming-net.com/blooming-agency/hanafusa-mari/ |website=Blooming Group|language=ja}}

In 1998, she transferred to the newly established Cosmos Troupe, becoming one of the few musumeyaku—alongside Hitomi Tsukikage (Star and Snow troupes), Rei Dan (Moon and Star troupes), Yuri Shirahane (Star and Snow troupes) and Madoka Hoshikaze (Cosmos and Flower troupes) — to serve as top star in two different troupes.

Hanafusa retired from Takarazuka in 2006 alongside Yōka Wao after the production Never Say Goodbye. She returned shortly afterward, co-founding Wao Enterprise with Wao in February 2007, serving as Wao's representative and frequent co-star until 2011.{{cite web |url=https://ticket-news.pia.jp/pia/news.do?newsCd=201107250005 | title=和央ようか「血を吸うのはクセになりそう」。ドラキュラ伯爵を女性が演じるミュージカル | チケットぴあ[演劇 ミュージカル・ショー] }}

After leaving Wao Enterprise, Hanafusa resumed her stage career with From First Production in 2012, later joining Blooming Agency. She continues performing in musicals, with notable main roles in The Count of Monte Cristo, [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Bess Lady Bess] (in its world premiere, she became the cover feature of a German magazine), Mozart!, Elisabeth, 1789: Les Amants de la Bastille, Romale, Marie Antoinette, The Odd Couple, Galaxy Express 999, Sunny, and Beethoven. In addition to her stage career, she has appeared in television dramas such as NHK's historical drama (Taiga) Onna Joshu Naotora, Berabou, and Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit.{{Cite web |title=Mari Hanafusa |url=https://www.blooming-net.com/blooming-agency/hanafusa-mari/ |website=Blooming Group|language=ja}}

Her distinguished career has earned numerous awards, including the Yomiuri Theater Award (2015), the Kazuo Kikuta Theater Award Grand Prize (2016), an Austrian national honor (2019), and the Matsuo Entertainment Theater Excellence Award (2021).{{Cite web |title=Mari Hanafusa |url=https://www.blooming-net.com/blooming-agency/hanafusa-mari/ |website=Blooming Group|language=ja}}

Performances and roles

=Takarazuka era=

Sources:{{cite book |title=Yume o egaite hanayaka ni: Takarazuka Kageki 80-nenshi: 80-shūnen Takarazuka Kageki |date=1994 |publisher=Takarazuka Kagekidan |location=Hyōgo-ken Takarazuka-shi |isbn=4-924333-11-5 |edition=Teiho dai 2-han}}

{{cite book |title=すみれ花歳月を重ねて―宝塚歌劇90年史― |date=2004 |publisher=宝塚歌劇団 |location=Hyōgo-ken Takarazuka-shi |isbn=4-484-04601-6}}{{cite book |title=Hundred years' history of Takarazuka revue: 虹の橋渡りつづけて |date=2014 |publisher=阪急コミュニケーションズ |location=東京 |isbn=978-4-484-14600-3}}

==Debut==

class="wikitable"

!!style=width:20em | Year !!style=width:300em | Performance !!style=width:20em | Troupe !!style=width:20em | Theater !!style=width:200em | Role!!style=width:200em | Note

1991Rose of Versailles ~Oscar~Moon

|style="background-color: #faecc8"| Grand Theater

==Troupe rotation==

class="wikitable"

!!style=width:20em | Year !!style=width:300em | Performance !!style=width:20em | Troupe !!style=width:20em | Theater !!style=width:200em | Role!!style=width:200em | Note

1991The Great Gatsby / Lovers' ConcertoSnow

|style="background-color: lightgreen"| Grand Theater

1991The Emblem of Venezia / Junction 24Flower

|style="background-color: #F2CEE0"| Tokyo Theater

==Star Troupe era==

class="wikitable"

!!style=width:20em | Year !!style=width:250em | Performance !!style=width:20em | Troupe !!style=width:20em | Theater !!style=width:150em | Role!!style=width:150em| New Actor Show Role!!style=width:200em |Note

|1992Sunset of the Forbidden CityStar

| style="background-color: lightblue"| Tokyo Theater

1992Legend of the Midnight Sun / One Night MirageStar

| style="background-color: lightblue"| Grand Theater

Mimir
1992Hello, George!StarBow HallElizabeth
1993Houjushou / Parfum de ParisStar

| style="background-color: lightblue"| Grand Theater

Dancing Lady S / Lover / Parisienne (HY: Shiraki Ayaka)
1993Hello, George!StarNippon SeinenkanElizabeth
1993Mayerling / PaparagiStar

| style="background-color: lightblue"| Grand Theater

Millie StübelMarie Vetsera (HY: Shiraki Ayaka)First New Actor Show Lead Musumeyaku

==Snow Troupe era==

class="wikitable"

!!style=width:20em | Year !!style=width:250em | Performance !!style=width:20em | Troupe !!style=width:20em | Theater !!style=width:150em | Role!!style=width:150em| New Actor Show Role!! style=width:200em |Note

|1993-4Seal of the Bourbons / La Cote d'AzurSnow

| style="background-color: lightgreen"| Grand Theater

Mariel
1994A Battlefield for the Two of UsSnowBow Hall / Nippon SeinenkanLylaFirst Small Theater Lead Musumeyaku
1994Gone with the windSnow

| style="background-color:lightgreen"| Grand Theater

Carreen O'HaraScarlett O'Hara (HY: Ichiro Maki) First New Actor Show Lead

==Snow Troupe Top Musumeyaku era==

class="wikitable"

!!style=width:20em | Year !!style=width:300em | Performance !!style=width:20em | Troupe !!style=width:20em | Theater !!style=width:200em | Role!!style=width:200em | Note

1994A Battlefield for the Two of UsSnowAichi Annuity HallLylaPre-Top Musumeyaku Debut
|1994-5An Actor’s Revenge / SagittariusSnow

| style="background-color: lightgreen"| Grand Theater

NamijiTop Musumeyaku Debut
|1995JFK / 1001 Baroque NightsSnow

| style="background-color: lightgreen"| Grand Theater

Jacqueline Kennedy
| 1995Aria Dream SongSnowDrama CityMary
|1995Love Blooms Out on the Murasakino / Ma Belle EtoileSnow

| style="background-color: lightgreen"| Grand Theater

Nukata no Ookimi
|1996ElisabethSnow

| style="background-color: lightgreen"| Grand Theater

Elisabeth
| 1996Love Blooms Out on the Murasakino / Ma Belle EtoileSnowNational TourNukata no Ookimi
|1996Natasha of the Rainbow / La Jeunesse!Snow

| style="background-color: lightgreen"| Grand Theater

Natasha
| 1996On a Clear Day You Can See ForeverSnowBow HallDaisy Gamble
|1997Romanesque Mask / Golden Days!Snow

| style="background-color: lightgreen"| Grand Theater

Marquise de Merteuil
|1997On a Clear Day You Can See ForeverSnowNippon Seinenkan / AichiDaisy Gamble
|1997Ghost at Midnight / Les CherubimSnow

| style="background-color: lightgreen"| Grand Theater

MarieFinal show as Snow Troupe Top Musumeyaku

==Cosmos Troupe era==

class="wikitable"

! style=width:20em | Year

! style=width:300em | Performance

! style=width:20em | Troupe

! style=width:20em | Theater

! style=width:200em | Role

! style=width:200em | Note

1998

| Mugen Houjushou / This is TAKARAZUKA!

| Cosmos

| Hong Kong tour

|

| Cosmos Troupe Pre-Top Musumeyaku Debut

1998

| Excalibur / Citrus Breeze

| Cosmos

| style="background-color: #D4CEF2" | Grand Theater

| Rosaline

|Cosmos Troupe Top Musumeyaku Debut

1998

| Bow Voyage!

| Cosmos

| Bow Hall

|

|

1998-9

| Elisabeth

| Cosmos

| style="background-color: #D4CEF2" | Grand Theater

| Elisabeth

|

1999

| Excalibur / Citrus Breeze

| Cosmos

| National Tour

| Rosaline

|

1999

| Passion: Jose and Carmen / The Revue '99

| Cosmos

| style="background-color: #D4CEF2" | Grand Theater

| Carmen

|

2000

| Black Rose of the Desert / Glorious

| Cosmos

| style="background-color: #D4CEF2" | Grand Theater

| Marianna

|

2000

| Mayerling / Glorious

!

| Cosmos

| National Tour

| Marie Vetsera

|

2000

| Nostalgia Across the Sea / Millennium Challenger!

| Cosmos

| style="background-color: #D4CEF2" | Grand Theater

| Princess Yu, Catherine the Great

|

2001

| Nostalgia Across the Sea / Millennium Challenger!

| Cosmos

| National Tour

| Princess Yu, Catherine the Great

|

2001

| Rose of Versailles: Fersen and Marie Antoinette

| Cosmos

| style="background-color: #D4CEF2" | Grand Theater

| Marie Antoinette

|

2001-2

| Castel Mirage / Dancing Spirit!

| Cosmos

| style="background-color: #D4CEF2" | Grand Theater

| Eva-Marie

|

2002

| Castel Mirage / Dancing Spirit!

| Cosmos

| National Tour

|Eva-Marie

|

2002

| Legend of the Phoenix -Calaf & Turandot- / The Showstopper

| Cosmos

| style="background-color: #D4CEF2" | Grand Theater

| Turandot

|

2002-3

| Miracle of the Holy Star

| Cosmos

| Drama City / Akasaka ACT

| Lydia

|

2003

| Pierre the Mercenary / The Star Dust Party

| Cosmos

|style="background-color: #D4CEF2" | Grand Theater

| Joan of Arc

|

2003

| Legend of the Phoenix -Calaf & Turandot- / The Showstopper

| Cosmos

| Drama City / Akasaka ACT

| Turandot

|

2003-4

| Lightning in the Daytime / Temptation!

| Cosmos

|style="background-color: #D4CEF2" | Grand Theater

| Vivianne de Pauvert

|

2004

| BOXMAN

| Cosmos

| Nippon Seinenkan / Drama City

| Dolly Page

|

2004

| PHANTOM

| Cosmos

|style="background-color: #D4CEF2" | Grand Theater

| Christine Daaé

|

2004

| Gone with the wind

| Cosmos

| National Tour

| Scarlett O'Hara

|

2005

| Hotel Stella Maris / The Legend of the Revue

| Cosmos

|style="background-color: #D4CEF2" | Grand Theater

| Stacy Lancaster

|

2005

| Hotel Stella Maris / The Legend of the Revue

| Cosmos

| National Tour

| Stacy Lancaster

|

2005

| A Kiss to the Flames / Neo Voyage

| Cosmos

|style="background-color: #D4CEF2" | Grand Theater

| Leonora

|

2005

| W-WING-

| Cosmos

| Drama City

|

|

2006

| Never Say Goodbye

| Cosmos

|style="background-color: #D4CEF2" | Grand Theater

| Katherine McGregor/Peggy McGregor

| Last musical with Takarazuka

=Performance after Takarazuka=

Source:{{Cite web |title=Mari Hanafusa |url=https://www.blooming-net.com/blooming-agency/hanafusa-mari/ |website=Blooming Group|language=ja}}

  • 2010: Dietrich – Edith Piaf
  • 2011: Dracula, the MusicalMina MurrayHeroine
  • 2011: LOVE LETTERS 2011 21st Anniversary – Melissa
  • 2011: MODEA Winter Live 2011 – Guest vocals
  • 2012: Elisabeth Special Gala Concert
  • 2013: No Words, No Time
  • 2013: Eien Monogatari – Yoshioka YoshikoHeroine
  • 2013: Broadway Musical Live
  • 2013: The Count of Monte CristoMercédèsHeroine
  • 2014, 2017: Lady BessElizabeth ILead role
  • 2014: Mozart! – Nannerl
  • 2015, 2016, 2019, 2023: ElisabethElisabethLead role
  • 2016: 1789Marie Antoinette
  • 2018: Romale – CarmenLead role
  • 2018: The Secret GardenLily CravenHeroine
  • 2018, 2021: Marie Antoinette – Marie AntoinetteLead role
  • 2020, 2023: The Odd CoupleFlorence UngerDouble Lead with Daichi Mao
  • 2021: [https://www.meijiza.co.jp/lineup/2021/11/ Closed today] – TerukoLead role
  • 2022: The Little PrinceThe Rose
  • 2022: Galaxy Express 999 THE MUSICAL – – MaetelHeroine
  • 2023: SUNNY – NamiLead role (based on Korean movie SUNNY)
  • 2023: Beethoven SecretAntonie "Toni" BrentanoHeroine
  • 2024: The Tiny WifeStaceyLead role
  • 2024: Ōten no Mon - Shouki - Special appearance

==Concert==

  • 2012, 1016: Elisabeth Special Gala Concert
  • 2016: 25th Anniversary Hanafusa Mari First Concert ~ Especially For You ~
  • 2020: Premium Symphonic Concert ~ Hanafusa Mari: Stories of the Queens
  • 2020: Premium Symphonic Concert ~ Hanafusa Mari: Stories of the Queens ~ Xmas version
  • 2022: Premium Symphonic Concert ~ Mari Hanafusa: Stories of the Queens Vol.2 {{cite web |title=花總まりが誘う音楽絵巻『プレミアムシンフォニックコンサート ~花總まり・女王たちの物語~ Vol.2』開催 ゲストに田代万里生 {{!}} SPICE - エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス |url=https://spice.eplus.jp/articles/302999 |website=SPICE(スパイス)|エンタメ特化型情報メディア スパイス |language=ja}}
  • 2025: Imperial Theatre Concert - THE BEST New HISTORY COMING

==Television drama==

  • 2017: Naotora: The Lady Warlord – Sana{{Cite web |url= https://haiyaku.web.fc2.com/17-taiga.html|title= おんな城主直虎|access-date= 27 August 2024|work= Haiyaku Jiten}}
  • 2017: Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit – Yuuka
  • 2021: Meiji Kaika: Shinjuro Tanteicho – Kanou Atsuko – Episode 1 (guest)
  • 2024: Black Forceps Season 2 – Toshima Kazuko – Episode 4, 5 (guest) {{cite web | url=https://topics.tbs.co.jp/article/detail/?id=20570 | title=日曜劇場『ブラックペアン シーズン2』第4話に加藤浩次、花總まり、池田鉄洋の出演が決定!|Tbsテレビ }}
  • 2025: Unbound – Hōren-in{{Cite web |url= https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2341868/full/|title= 来年大河『べらぼう』新キャスト11人を一挙発表 横浜流星を囲む豪華な顔ぶれ【キャラクター紹介あり】|access-date= 27 August 2024|work= Oricon}}
  • 2025: News Anchor - Odonera Motoko {{cite news |last1=Inc |first1=Natasha |title=TBS日曜劇場「キャスター」で花總まりが大学教授に、のん・井之脇海・利重剛とゲスト出演(コメントあり) |url=https://natalie.mu/stage/news/620762 |work=ステージナタリー |language=ja}}

''Elisabeth'' trivia

Hanafusa was the first star to perform as Elisabeth of Bavaria in the musical Elisabeth and the only one to do so twice: first in a 1996 Snow production and then in a 1998 Cosmos production. Thus she was an Elisabeth who was haunted by two deaths (Maki Ichiro and Asato Shizuki), married to two Franz Josephs (Fubuki Takane and Yōka Wao), assassinated by two Luigi Luchenis (Yū Todoroki and Wataru Kozuki). She crowned four Prince Rudolfs (Tatsuki Kōju, Yōka Wao, Hikaru Asami and Sakiho Juri) because Kōju and Asami changed troupes before the Tokyo performance and were substituted by Wao and Juri.

Most of the actresses playing Franz Josephs, Rudolfs and Luigis became stars later on, except Juri, who was moved to Senka.

References

{{Reflist}}