As part of their annual Studio Ghibli Fest events for 2023, publisher GKIDS has announced they will be hosting limited screenings of the Japan-exclusive Spirited Away theatrical production in cinemas, recorded during the show’s 2022 season at Tokyo’s Imperial Theatre.
Across two weeks, fans will get to enjoy the production with two different leads in the role of Chihiro. On 23 and 25 April 2023, the screened version will feature Kanna Hashimoto, while on 27 April and 2 May the recorded version will feature Mone Kamishiraishi.
For ticketing information, click HERE.
Spirited Away: Live on Stage is the theatrical adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki’s acclaimed film, which has only been produced for Japanese audiences as of writing. This production was adapted and directed by Tony Award-winner John Caird (Les Misérables), and features two alternate casts based on the leading actor.
The cast includes:
Chihiro: Kanna Hashimoto / Mone Kamishiraishi
Haku: Kotaro Daigo / Hiroki Miura
No Face: Koharu Sugawara / Tomohiko Tsujimoto
Lin/Chihiro’s Mother: Miyu Sakihi / Fu Hinami
Kamajî: Tomorowo Taguchi / Satoshi Hashimoto
Yubaba/Zeniba: Mari Natsuki / Romi Park
Aniyaku/Chihiro’s Father: Kenya Osumi
Chichiyaku: Sunao Yoshimura
Aogaeru: Obata no Oniisan
This is in addition to a large ensemble cast who included:
Maria Abe, Kaito Arai, Yuya Igarashi, Yoko Ose, Wataru Oshige, Motoko Orii, Hiroko Kachi, Saori Kouzuki, Toshihiko Jo, Mayu Suetomi, Keiichi Tagawa, Hayato Takehiro, Saya Chinen, Hanano Teshirogi, Ayame Nakagami, Rei Hanashima, Teppen Matsunoki, Eiji Mizuno, Mayu Musha, Yuna Yasuno, Yuki Yahiro, YAMATO, Hikaru Yamano
Spirited Away: Live on Stage features an original score by Joe Hisaishi with musical supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Brad Haak. It also features sets designed by Jon Bausor, puppetry design by Toby Olié, choreography by Shigehiro Ide, lighting by Jiro Katsushiba, sound by Koichi Yamamoto, costume designs by Sachiko Nakahara, music direction by Erika Fukasawa among an extensive creative team.
While currently exclusive to North America, here’s hoping that this receives an eventual worldwide cinematic release, if not an official Blu-ray release. To say this is an exciting license by GKIDS, would be quite the understatement.
