Musical "Star Crown Academy Pilgrimage Record" to be Performed in August, Adding New Initiatives to Gekidan Tohsho's 77th Anniversary "The Little Mermaid" (July, Mitsukoshi Theater)

The "TS NEXTα100 Project," which involves companies such as Am-bitioN Inc. and NEXst Inc., and the Gekidan Tohsho (Tokyo), celebrating its 77th anniversary since its founding in 1949, will launch a new original musical, "Star Crown Academy Pilgrimage Record," this summer.

This production is a completely original work featuring next-generation cast members (Alpha generation), primarily elementary to high school students, and is a youth fantasy musical themed around "dreams," "individuality," and "bonds with friends."

The TS NEXTα100 Project is a project to support the Alpha generation, involving GMPstudio, NEXst Inc., Am-bitioN Inc., ADDex Inc., UCM Inc., and Gekidan Tohsho, aiming for Gekidan Tohsho's 100th anniversary.

Performance Outline, Ticket Information, Cast Information

Performance Image

Concurrently, the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Theater will stage the annual summer vacation family musical "The Little Mermaid," and furthermore, will fully launch the social contribution activity "Children's Dream Seat Project" aimed at eliminating disparities in opportunities to experience culture and arts. In addition to the historic family musical, two initiatives will be developed: "nurturing future performers" and "nurturing future audiences."

New IP "Star Crown Academy Pilgrimage Record" Launched

"Star Crown Academy Pilgrimage Record" is a youth fantasy musical set in an academy where magic and music exist, depicting the growth of children from all over the country through encounters with friends.

The theme of the work is:

"Each person shines because they are different. They shine precisely because they are incomplete."

This time, as "Season 1: Transfer Student Reincarnation! Magical Idol!", it depicts children with different regions, personalities, and values finding their own unique brilliance. Composed of original songs, in addition to singing, dancing, and acting, the work aims to be not only entertaining but also to allow audiences to naturally feel diversity and self-affirmation.

Kayo, a second-term graduate of Kin-chan Theater Company, active in stage and drama, and who has appeared in many Gekidan Tohsho performances, will play the role of the Headmaster. Ayumi Orii, who was active in AKB48 and has a wide range of activities including stage, drama, and anime voice acting, and has experience starring in Gekidan Tohsho performances, will play the role of a teacher. Alongside experienced actors, diverse Alpha generation performers, including YouTubers such as First Penguin and Milk Summer, will be dynamic.

Tickets can be purchased from the sales site here (sales begin July 3rd at 5:00 PM).

https://tsnexta100project.corich.co/TSnext-starcrownvol1/common

*Please be sure to write the name of the cast member you are supporting in the remarks section of the application form on the sales site.

*For cast details and performance information, please check this X.

"Star Crown Academy Pilgrimage Record" Official X

New Initiatives Born from Gekidan Tohsho's 77-Year History

Since its founding in 1949, Gekidan Tohsho has performed numerous family musicals such as "Cinderella," "Snow White," "Sleeping Beauty," and "The Little Mermaid," and has been loved by generations.

Based on this history, "Star Crown Academy Pilgrimage Record" was born as an original work starring children who will carry the future (Alpha generation).

While inheriting tradition, we challenge ourselves to create entertainment for a new era.

"The Little Mermaid" to be Performed at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Theater

From July 18th to 21st, 2026, the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Theater will stage the family musical "The Little Mermaid," an annual summer event and this year's commemorative performance for Gekidan Tohsho's 77th anniversary. Haruka Komiyama, who is active as an actress and MC after graduating from AKB48, will play the lead role of Marina, the Little Mermaid. Kazuki Watanabe, active in musicals such as "Nintama Rantaro" and who has appeared in many Gekidan Tohsho performances, will play the Prince. Miyu Sorano, who was active as a "musume-yaku" (young female role) in the Takarazuka Revue and has been active in various stage productions since her graduation, and has appeared in many Gekidan Tohsho performances, will play the Princess of the neighboring country. In addition, a diverse cast of various ages will appear, including Akira Sugawara, who has been with Gekidan Tohsho for over 50 years, and child actors enrolled in the Gekidan Tohsho Entertainment Academy (TSEA).

This is a representative work of Gekidan Tohsho, depicting Andersen's fairy tale, loved for many years, with beautiful music, dance, and spectacular stage direction.

It is also popular as a first theater experience for young children and welcomes many visitors as a work that can be enjoyed by three generations of parents and children.

Gekidan Tohsho will be performing "The Little Mermaid" and "Sleeping Beauty" as regional performances, starting with "The Little Mermaid" at the Mitsukoshi Theater in July, until around September this summer.

Mitsukoshi Theater "The Little Mermaid"

Performance and Cast Details

"Children's Dream Seat Project" Launched

Gekidan Tohsho is launching a new project, the "Children's Dream Seat Project," aimed at eliminating disparities in opportunities to experience culture and arts.

In its first year, the "Children's Dream Seat Project 2026" will begin with an initiative to donate DVDs of the musical "The Little Mermaid" to children's homes and other facilities.

Through the ongoing crowdfunding campaign (until July 10th), the project will expand its activities to include:

Expanding the number of facilities receiving DVD donations, inviting children from children's homes and other facilities to the theater.

These will be implemented in stages.

"Watching a stage performance can lead to a child's dream."

With such a future in mind, Gekidan Tohsho will also engage in social contribution activities through culture and arts.

Details of the ongoing crowdfunding campaign (until July 10th)

https://readyfor.jp/projects/tohshou-dreamseat

This Summer's Initiatives

This summer, Gekidan Tohsho's initiatives will focus on three pillars:

"The Little Mermaid" at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Theater and regional performances, "Sleeping Beauty" regional performances.

Children's Dream Seat Project 2026

New IP "Star Crown Academy Pilgrimage Record"

In addition to historic family musicals, we will promote activities to nurture "future performers" and "future audiences."

Please pay attention to our new challenge of connecting performing arts to the future.

[Performance Outline]

1. "Star Crown Academy Pilgrimage Record"

Venue: Itabashi Ward Hall Small Hall (51-1 Oyama Higashi-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo)

Dates: August 13, 2026 (Thu) 1 Starts at 1:00 PM 2 Starts at 5:00 PM

August 14, 2026 (Fri) 1 Starts at 11:00 AM 2 Starts at 3:00 PM

*Doors open 60 minutes before curtain time, *Approximate running time: 90 minutes

Staff

Script: TS NEXTα100 Project, Director: Misa Maeda, Director Supervisor: Gen Ki (Gekidan Tohsho), Music: TS NEXTα100 Project, Arrangement: Hideyoshi Saijika, Score: Hikaru Fuseguro, Choreography: Misa Maeda, Choreography Assistant: Takashi Odabe (Tacos’Dance), Ai Ihara (Kids Dance Rabbit), Vocal Coach: Yuka Takimakura, Stage Manager: Hikaru Fuseguro, Lighting: Jimei Goto, Sound: Haru Kogure, In-show Video: Hikaru Fuseguro, Pamphlet Design: Manae Uchida, Pamphlet and Other Photography: Daisuke Shiraishi, Performance Video Filming and Editing: Itaru Ito, Hair and Makeup: Reona Shimura, Production: Miharu Yomogida, Producer: Yusuke Yamada, Executive Producer: Hideki Nakagawa, Organizer: TS NEXTα100 Project (GMPstudio, NEXst Inc., Am-bitioN Inc., ADDex Inc., UCM Inc., Gekidan Tohsho), Sponsor: Gekidan Tohsho

2. Gekidan Tohsho Musical "The Little Mermaid"

Venue: Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Theater

Dates: July 18, 2026 (Sat) - July 21, 2026 (Tue)

3. Children's Dream Seat Project

Crowdfunding in progress (until July 10th)

https://readyfor.jp/projects/tohshou-dreamseat

☆Gekidan Tohsho

Gekidan Tohsho is a historic family musical theater company celebrating its 77th anniversary. It has performed extensively, including at the Mitsukoshi Theater, delivering works loved by generations such as "Cinderella," "Snow White," "The Little Mermaid," and "Sleeping Beauty." It is renowned for its stage productions that balance high entertainment value with educational content, ensuring they can be enjoyed safely by parents and children. It continues to support the culture of family musicals in Japan.

https://www.tohshou.jp/

☆Am-bitioN Inc.

Established in December 2015, located in Minato-ku, Tokyo. The company's entertainment business is collectively known as "LIVE☆STARS." Since 2016, it has cast 2.5D stage actors, idols, and others, and has produced over 10 stage and event performances. In 2020, the company held its first idol audition, resulting in the formation of the idol group "Last Note" from approximately 1400 applicants. In 2021, a second audition was held, leading to the formation of "Stellarion" in 2022.

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