[Niyusu]

Seeing and hearing human bodies turned into living musical instruments has an originality about it that is breathtaking. This body-slapping is the signature routine of the Japanese produced "Muscle Musical," a Cirque du Soleil-esque revue of acrobatic performances by former Japanese athletes, including an ex-Olympian and two world champions.

Featuring popular Japanese athletes like Olympic medalist Miho Takeda, the group is immensely popular and last month moved from its home base in Yokohama to a specially built theater in Tokyo's Shibuya area with a new show titled "Jungle,".

The current Muscle Musical performances contain no spoken Japanese dialogue. Removing the language barrier has paved the way for "Muscle Musical" to sign a two-year contract to perform a show in Las Vegas starting on May 29 -- the first Japanese show to run on a long-term basis overseas, according to "Muscle Musical" officials.

Source: Muscle Musical Gains International Following | Japan Times

Official Site: Muscle Musical - English Site