Shirota Yu to star as Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet” musical
This summer, actor Shirota Yu (25) will take on his first lead role in a stage musical. He will play Romeo in an original Japanese version of “Romeo and Juliet,” directed by Koike Shuichiro.
Shirota has acted in several musicals before, but he drew even more attention last year with his supporting role in “Elisabeth,” which earned him a newcomer award from the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
Shirota is being double cast in the part along with Yamazaki Ikusaburo (25). No other cast members have been officially announced yet.
The musical will be staged at the Akasaka ACT Theater in Tokyo from September 7 to October 2, and at the Umeda Arts Theater in Osaka from October 8 to October 20.
Backstreet Boys’ Howie D collaborate with Shirota Yu
It’s been reported that Backstreet Boys member Howie D will collaborate with singer/actor Shirota Yu (aka ‘U‘) for a song called, “If I Say feat. U“.
The song will be included as a bonus track in the Japanese edition of Howie’s solo debut album, “BACK TO ME“, which will be released on November 9th. It will also be released as a digital single on October 12th prior to the album’s release. Moreover, “If I Say feat. U” will be the end credit song for the Japanese dubbed version of “1911“, which is Jackie Chan’s 100th movie in his career. The movie was selected to open the ‘24th Tokyo International Film Festival‘.
Reportedly, Howie was looking for a Japanese artist who has an international identity. Shirota was proposed as a candidate, and Howie agreed that he had a charm the world would accept.
Shirota commented, “‘If I Say feat. U’ is a pure love song, and it is a warm song. We will have to let you judge the finished work, but we are both coming to feel that it’s been wonderfully done.”
Howie D will be holding an event at Odaiba Venus Fort in Tokyo on November 12th.
Post time 15-4-2011 08:41 AM
