Founded in 1953 by Keita Asari, the Shiki Theater Company is one of the largest
theater companies in the world, with approximately 1,700 actors and staff
members. Since the 1970s, the company has actively presented Broadway and Disney
musicals and other shows. When the company was first established, it was a
student theater group formed by 10 members led by Asari, specializing in
straight plays, but it gradually expanded its activities. CATS," which premiered
in 1983, ran for 13 months. In 1998, "The Lion King" began its indefinite long
run of more than 20 years, surpassing "CATS...