JQ Magazine: JQ&A with Masumi Iwai on ‘Disney’s Beauty and the Beast’ National Tour

“It is such a privilege to travel, especially in a country I didn’t grow up in, and to do the job that I love to do. It’s a dream job.”

By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02). Justin has written about Japanese arts and entertainment for JETAA since 2005. For more of his articles, click here. 

A native of Japan, Masumi Iwai moved to America when she was 23 years old to pursue her dream to be a musical theater actress. Her favorite credits include Funny Girl on Broadway and the national tour of The King and I. Currently, Iwai is part of the national tour ensemble in the 30th anniversary production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, now playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago through August 2. In this exclusive interview, Iwai shares her favorite musical memories, the best part of rehearsals, and what Japanese stories she’d most like to see on Broadway. 

Many of our readers have spent time in Japan. What places there do you enjoy the most and why?

I love going to Shima Spain Village–it’s a local theme park located in Mie Prefecture. If you stay at the Japanese traditional hotel ryokan, you can enjoy onsen as well as a traditional meal called kaiseki with fresh seafood. Every summer we went as a family and I have such a core memory there. 

How did you discover musical theater growing up, and what were some of your favorites?

I grew up watching and dreaming of working with Shiki Theatre Company. The first show I saw was The Lion King when I was 10 years old–I got cast in a local musical show and wanted to see what musical theater is. I sat in the furthest corner in the mezzanine, and I still remember vividly that I got sucked into the energy and power from the stage. Since then I was that weird kid always singing a song from musicals in the hallway. And musical theater isn’t as common in Japan, so no one knew what I was singing. My first love was Aida. 

What was the spark that made you want to become a dance professional, and how did you accomplish this dream to perform all over the world?

Somehow not to dance was never an option for me; I hated to even think about it. My mom always said “you can quit if you don’t want to” just to light a fire, and I remember getting so upset, and thought it was the meanest thing anyone can say. To have been able to keep pursuing my dream and have a life here is simply because of the great support from my parents.

Your Instagram page has shots of some of your memorable performances in New York, like Funny Girl on Broadway and George and Ira Gershwin's Strike Up the Band at Carnegie Hall. What stories can you share about your time with these shows?

My favorite part was meeting the audiences at the stage door. So many people, especially Asian American, Japanese people visiting NYC, my fellow immigrants who moved here to pursue their dream to be on Broadway. I got to talk to so many people who I never would have met without Funny Girl, and some I still keep in touch with. It meant so much to me because I once was there, waiting to meet performers at the stage door. A moment like this is something I will cherish.

You are currently in the national touring company of Beauty and the Beast. How did you originally discover the Disney movie and the original Broadway production?

I actually wasn't a Disney girl growing up. I didn’t watch too many Disney movies, and never begged my parents to take me to Tokyo Disneyland. But I started to watch them after I got the job [laughs]! I think the Disney movie has such a pure heart to dream a miracle that we tend to forget living the real world with lots of complications, and being a dreamer, I can surprisingly relate so much to the “Disney Princess.”

Who is your favorite character in the show and why?

Cogsworth. He’s funny.

For those who are unfamiliar with the preparation for shows like this, what are the rehearsals like? What are your favorite (and not-so-favorite) parts about the rehearsals to make things absolutely perfect for the audience?

Rehearsals are usually six days a week, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s nonstop perfecting what I learned and learning something new. My favorite part is absolutely the first run-through; we all bring what we learned so far and try our best, and that's when all the small parts become a story. I love that moment so much.

In the last decade, modern Japanese productions have come to America. In New York, the all-female Takarazuka Revue performed at Lincoln Center, and "2.5D" musical adaptations of anime like Attack on Titan and Sailor Moon saw sold-out crowds. What are some other Japanese IPs that you would like to see gain wider recognition to inspire American audiences?

Studio Ghibli productions! I know some productions such as My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away have opened in [London’s] West End, and there are so many more great stories I grew up watching. I cannot wait for those productions to come to Broadway!

Finally, what are you most looking forward to doing in your free time in Chicago?

I love traveling to new cities and to just walk around. If there’s a river that I can run along, that’s a win, and finding a good restaurant is always fun. It is such a privilege to travel, especially in a country I didn’t grow up in, and to do the job that I love to do. It’s a dream job.

For more information and tickets to upcoming performances of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, click here. For more JQ articles, click here.