Actress Ryoko Yonekura to Return to Ballet Stage After 30 Years

Japanese actress Ryoko Yonekura, 50, will return to the ballet stage for the first time in 30 years, performing in the Tanaka Tomoko Ballet Company's new production of "Cinderella" at the New National Theatre in Tokyo from August 9 to 11. Yonekura, who began classical ballet training at age five and continued for 15 years, shared her surprise at receiving the offer, saying she never expected such an opportunity after stepping away from ballet in her early 20s to pursue modeling and acting. She will play the role of the Great Butterfly (Mother Butterfly), the deceased mother of Cinderella, described as a symbol of regeneration and resurrection. The role will be performed in a double cast with Ayumi Nagahashi.

Yonekura, a former member of the ballet company's advanced class, studied under the late Tomoko Tanaka, who founded the company and served as its general director until her passing at age 94 in 2015. The production's artistic director, Naoko Takabe, who collaborated with Yonekura on the 1994 production of "Lisette," extended the invitation. Takabe explained that Yonekura came to mind because she had received direct training from Tanaka and understood the company's motto of "dancing with the heart." Takabe also noted Yonekura's physical abilities, honed through stage performances including four lead roles in the Broadway musical "Chicago."

Yonekura admitted to initial hesitation, taking three weeks to decide. She recounted finding a telephone card given to her by Tanaka on the day of the offer, which she interpreted as encouragement to accept. "I thought, 'She's telling me to do it,' so I made up my mind and decided to give it my all," Yonekura said. She expressed determination to perform the Great Butterfly without tarnishing the company's reputation and to deliver a role that guides Cinderella in her own style.

This production marks the company's first new work in approximately a decade. Yonekura is scheduled to perform on select dates during the three-day run.