Tokio Confidential: A New Musical [CD]
Tokio Confidential is the story of Isabella, an adventurous young American Civil War widow who in 1879 sails for Japan, where she meets Horiyoshi, the most renowned Japanese tattoo artist of his time. When Isabella decides to have Horiyoshi engrave her entire body and turn her into a living work of art, their intimate and (for her) intensely painful tattoo sessions lead to a passionate love affair. Ultimately, Isabella’s transformation into a stunningly beautiful canvas places her in mortal danger, something the two lovers could never have predicted when they embarked on their artistic journey together.
Jill Paice (An American in Paris, Matilda) recreates her luminous Off-Broadway performance as Isabella and Jose Llana (Here Lies Love, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) plays Horiyoshi. Jeff Kready (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Billy Elliot the Musical), Telly Leung (Godspell, Pacific Overtures; TV: "Glee"), Bruce Warren and Manna Nichols round out the cast for the recording of Eric Schorr’s critically acclaimed original musical.
“Tokio Confidential has plenty to recommend it, not least a plush and inviting score” – The New York Times
“This lovely chamber musical about a Civil War widow whose life’s transformed by a tattoo artist reveals Eric Schorr, its composer/librettist, as a talent to watch. The romance between the central characters is touchingly etched. Running through it all are Schorr’s elegant score and graceful lyrics.” – The New York Post
“Tokio Confidential just may be the most beautiful show I’ve ever seen. Emerging from this musical is an understanding of the vast chasm between being truly a part of art, and standing apart in judgment of art. It takes courage to be inside it, as it took courage to produce and create this show. An exquisitely beautiful show with a surprising story well worth the trip downtown.” – Tim Childs, iblogBroadway.com
A Center Stage Records Release