A Beloved Stage Hit Returns for a Fourth Run
The Japanese stage comedy “A Lovely Coming Out” is coming back for its fourth production in November 2025, this time with a refreshed cast and a renewed emotional punch. Originally debuting in 2019, the play has been a fan-favorite for blending heartfelt drama with laugh-out-loud moments—all centered around one family’s hilariously unexpected reunion.
What’s This Play About?
The story kicks off when the Tomabeyachi family, long estranged after the death of their mother, reunites at a hotel lounge to meet their father’s new fiancée. Just when things couldn’t get any more awkward, Dad drops a bombshell: he’s gay. Cue the chaos, tears, slapstick misunderstandings—and ultimately, healing.
The single-location comedy cleverly uses humor to explore how real love often hides behind clumsy confessions and long-held secrets.
A K-pop Twist: Lee Woo-gon Steps In
In a casting surprise sure to thrill fans, Lee Woo-gon—known for his powerhouse vocals with K-pop group TRITOPS*—will play Park Jun, the father’s new partner. No stranger to the Japanese stage, Lee brings emotional depth (and a fanbase) to this already buzzy production.
“I’ve always enjoyed roles that challenge perceptions,” says Lee. “Park Jun is a character full of warmth and quiet strength—he’s someone who helps this chaotic family rediscover each other.”
The Star-Studded Lineup
- Miura Kairi as the neurotic second son, Jiro
- Moro Morooka, the legendary character actor, plays the introspective father, Toshihiko
- Shun Shioya—of “Patchi!” fame—takes the role of eldest son Michihiko
- Jun Sato as the spirited youngest son, Shigehiko
- Other cast members include Rihito Saki as the mysterious concierge, and Nonoka Yokoyama as Jiro’s fiancée
Behind the Scenes: New Blood, Familiar Heart
Screenwriter Daisuke Tanaka returns with his knack for balancing comedy and candid storytelling. Stepping into the director’s chair is Akihiro Tsuboi, who previously assisted on productions like “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” and “Billy Elliot.”
“This script made me laugh—and then made me think,” Tsuboi shared. “It’s about the strange things we do to protect the ones we love, even if it means lying to them.”
Performance Details
“A Lovely Coming Out 2025” runs from November 21 to 24, 2025, at the Asakusa Hana Theater in Tokyo. If you’re planning to go more than once, the fan perks are real: from cast photo giveaways to selfies on stage in full costume.
Ticket Info:
- Price: ¥9,300 (plus ¥600 drink fee)
- Advance sales start October 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM (JST)
Why You Should Watch
If you love your family but don’t always understand them—this play is for you. “A Lovely Coming Out” reminds us that laughter really is the best (and sometimes only) way to survive awkward family dinners.
As one line in the show says: “Are you happy?” After this ride, you just might be.
Dates: November 21–24, 2025
Location: Asakusa Hana Theater, Tokyo
