Honoring the 25th anniversary of its Japanese premiere, the acclaimed musical Mozart! will return to the stage with performances in Tokyo, Fukuoka, Aichi, and Osaka beginning in February 2027. SixTONES member Taiga Kyomoto, Shotaro Arisawa, and Asahi Ito have been announced as the production’s three leading stars, marking the first time the Japanese production will feature a triple cast in the title role.
Created by the celebrated duo of Michael Kunze (book and lyrics) and Sylvester Levay (music and orchestration), “Mozart!” has captivated Japanese musical theatre audiences since its 2002 premiere with its unforgettable score and compelling exploration of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart‘s life. Centered on the profound question, “Does talent reside in the body or the soul?”, the musical offers a layered portrayal of the composer’s 35-year journey, balancing his extraordinary genius with his humanity.
For the first time in the Japanese production’s history, the role of Wolfgang Mozart will be shared by three actors. Taiga, who made his debut in the title role in the 2024 production at the Imperial Theatre—a performance that was also reviewed by Dumpling Box—returns for a second run after continuing to build an impressive stage career through productions such as “Elisabeth” and “Newsies,” alongside his work in television and film.
Joining him is Shotaro Arisawa, whose powerful vocals have earned acclaim in productions including Jersey Boys, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood, and Lady Bess. Mozart! will mark his first appearance in a Vienna-born musical by Kunze and Levay.
Completing the triple cast is Asahi Ito, one of Japan’s rising musical theatre talents. Having appeared in popular productions such as Romeo & Juliet, 1789: Lovers of the Bastille, and Elisabeth, Ito now takes on one of the genre’s most demanding leading roles.
The musical follows Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a man blessed—and burdened—by extraordinary genius, whose life was shaped by both the gift and the curse of music. Through its iconic melodies and emotionally charged storytelling, Mozart! brings the legendary composer’s turbulent life back to the stage once again.
The production will open at Tokyo’s Nissay Theatre from February to March 2027, before touring to Hakataza Theatre in Fukuoka in April, the Aichi Prefectural Art Theater in April and May, and Osaka’s Umeda Arts Theater Main Hall in May.
COMMENTS BY TAIGA KYOMOTO
“I’m truly delighted that Mozart! will be returning about two and a half years after the previous production. Although I will only be appearing in the Tokyo performances, I’m sincerely grateful to have been invited back. I hope to rediscover what it means to take on this role once again by reexamining both Wolfgang and myself, and rebuilding the character from the ground up. The entire company looks forward to welcoming everyone to the theatre.”
