GKIDS Has Acquired The North American Audiovisual Distribution Rights For “SPIRITED AWAY: Live On Stage”

GKIDS Has Acquired The North American Audiovisual Distribution Rights For “SPIRITED AWAY: Live On Stage”

February 9th, 2023

Lauren Ashton

NEW YORK CITY- the celebrated producer and distributor of family-friendly animation, GKIDS, has announced its acquisition of the North American audiovisual distribution rights for “SPIRITED AWAY: Live On Stage”.The production was recorded during its 2022 run in the famed Imperial Theatre in Tokyo, Japan. Based on Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award®-winning animated feature, the show was adapted and directed for live theater by Tony Award®-winner John Caird: the Honorary Associate Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Caird previously earned worldwide recognition for adapting and directing the world premiere of “Les Misérables”.

Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi are double-cast as Chihiro, the film’s lead. Therefore, GKIDS plans to release two different prerecorded performances of the show. Mari Natsuki, the character actor who originally voiced the sorceress Yubaba and her twin sister Zeniba in the film, reprises her role and is joined by voice actor Romi Park. The production features a cast of some of Japan’s finest actors.

“SPIRITED AWAY: Live On Stage” was produced in association with Studio Ghibli, and presented by Toho Co., Ltd. The deal for this project was made between GKIDS and Toho.

The filmed staged production is set to be released theatrically by GKIDS this Spring.

“We are thrilled to offer this unique opportunity for Studio Ghibli fans in America to experience the stage production that wowed Japanese press and audiences last year,” stated David Jesteadt, President of GKIDS’. “This imaginative stage adaptation by the legendary John Caird, featuring two wonderful performances by lead actors Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi, helps bring to life one of the greatest films of all time in a dazzling new way.”

Based on “Spirited Away” and directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Adapted and Directed by John Caird

Co-adapted by Maoko Imai

Original Score by Joe Hisaishi

Musical Supervision, Orchestrations, and Arrangements by Brad Haak

Associate Music Supervision, Orchestrations, and Ableton Programming by Conor Keelan

Set Designed by Jon Bausor

Puppetry Design and Direction by Toby Olié

Choreographer/Staging by Shigehiro Ide

Lighting Design by Jiro Katsushiba

Sound Design by Koichi Yamamoto

Costume Design by Sachiko Nakahara

Hair and Makeup Design by Hiroaki Miyauchi

Projection Design by Satoshi Kuriyama

Music Directec/Conducted by Erika Fukasawa

Stage Managed by Takashi Hojo

Supporting Direction by Maoko Imai

Assistant Direction by Makoto Nagai/Ryusei Onuki

Produced by Haruka Ogi

In association with Studio Ghibli and presented by Toho Co., Ltd.

Cast

Chihiro: Kanna Hashimoto/Mone Kamishiraishi

Haku: Kotaro Daigo /Hiroki Miura

No Face: Koharu Sugawara/Tomohiko Tsujimoto

Lin/Chihiro’s Mother: Miyu Sakihi/Fu Hinami

Kamaji: Tomorowo Taguchi/Satoshi Hashimoto

Yubaba/Zeniba: Mari Natsuki/Romi Park

Aniyaku/Chihiro’s Father: Kenya Osumi

Chichiyaku: Sunao Yoshimura

Aogaeru: Obata no Oniisan

Author
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Lauren Ashton

Lauren Ashton is a Los Angeles-based writer. She has also taught stop-motion animation and film history since 2020, and holds a BFA in Acting from The California Institute of the Arts. Lauren has previously worked with Walt Disney Imagineering, and since graduating from CalArts, she has worked at Spellbound Inc. (a YouTube Production Company), Gnomon School of Animation, and written plays and sketch comedy for various theaters.