[caption id="attachment_131595" align="aligncenter" width="432" caption="Abe Natsumi as "Lucy Westenra""][/caption]

Dream Morning Musume member,�Abe Natsumi will be participating in an upcoming production of the musical "Dracula," and took part in an interview discussing her new role as Lucy, Dracula's victim.

Check out her lengthy interview beneath the cut!

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Interviewer: "Congratulations on appearing in 'Dracula.' How did talks come around (for this role)?"

Abe: "Actually, right before this musical, I was standing on another stage. I was Catherine in 'Arashigaoka' (Wuthering Heights). Since I had such a crowded schedule, I was nervous about (being in 'Dracula'), but it's a really charming work. I accepted (the role) because right now, I want to stand on as many stages as I possibly can."

[I]: "Have you seen the new, revised version of 'Dracula' that was performed in Austria?"

[A]: "I watched it on DVD. Since I didn't really understand the words, I was looking (through all the characters, wondering), 'Is that my role?' (lol)"

[I]: "This time you'll be playing Lucy, the heroine's female friend who becomes a vampire as Dracula sucks up her blood."

[A]: "Noooo, that sounds so intense (lol). It may be the most showy out of all the characters in the musical... I wear fangs because of her transformation into a vampire. And, in that awful scene when she is exterminated by her friend (Mina), her heart suffers as well (lol). I still can't imagine how to express her view of the world on stage, but it's a role well worth doing to me, so look forward to how much I change myself (for this character)."

[I]: "Is continuing to appear in musicals and plays something that appeals to you?"

[A]: "I often say (I do) these productions in my free time, but I've changed so much because of the trifling excitement of it all. Above all, when I'm performing, I feel as if I'm living out the life of that role because I'm entering the world (of that work). I find that interesting, and something worth doing."

[I]: "After this, what kind of genres do you want to try acting in?"

[A]: "Since I feel as if I'm being studied right now, I want to try doing different kinds of roles. Actually, for the past several years I've done quite a variety of characters. They're something I'm grateful for, but challenges arise and walls block my way each time (I begin a new kind of role). When I knock them down, I feel like new walls are made. I feel that I want the entertainment gods to tell me, 'You're all grown up now!'"

[I]: "Do you have a message for your fans, and those of us who are interested in this (production of) 'Dracula'?"

[A]: "This time I'll be playing Lucy, a pretty and ordinary girl who becomes a vampire. It's an extremely huge role. After this I'll be working on my performance, but this time especially, I'd like to show you guys a completely different me. Please look forward to it because I want to show you all what I look like as someone who's finished growing up. I'll do my best! This will be my first work as I become thirty!"

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This production of the famous musical will open its doors in Tokyo from August 20th until September 11th, and again in Osaka on September 16th, 17th and 18th. Tickets can already be purchased online for any of the performances in Tokyo.

Source: Lawson Ticket