Danica Davidson
February 20, 2025 
Duncan Sheik of Spring Awakening is writing the music and lyrics for a musical stage play adaptation of the award-winning manga Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen. The manga was created by Moyoco Anno.
Musicals based on manga are nothing new in Japan, and some of them, like the Attack on Titan musical, might even briefly stop in America. What makes Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen different is that this is the first time Americans have picked up a manga to adapt into a play.
The play’s direction and choreography are both being handled by Rob Ashford of Frozen and Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. Meanwhile, Or Matias is taking on music direction, conducting, and vocal and incidental music arrangement. The musical’s book was written by Leah Nananko Winkler.
Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen is having its first performance today, but only people in the industry or individuals who were invited can come. An opening date for the general public has not been announced.
CORK licensed the manga in English. Amazon gave this description for the story:
Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen Plot
France, Paris — Beginning of the 20th century.
Colette works in a brothel and entertains clients with “perverted” desires. She is leading a life without prospects. Her only happiness consists of the secret meetings with gigolo Leon, whom she feels helplessly attracted to. Even though he is visiting other women…
“Perverts are people who have explored and put a shape to their desires. Just like a blind man using both hands to carefully trace the contours of a vase of flowers…”
Who are these perverts Moyoco Anno brings to life in Paris, the city of flowers?
This is the first new series by Moyoco Anno in eight years! After “Sakuran” and “Buffalo 5 Girls” comes another story about the strong lives of prostitutes.
Source: Deadline
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
