Sang-il Lee's 2006 film "Hula Girls" is making its return as a stage play. The movie, which follows the plight of several women training to be hula dancers as part of a plan to revitalize a coal mining town, won several awards and was highly praised by critics.

The stage version stars Nana Katase as the dance instructor Madoka, originally played by Yasuko Matsuyuki, while Saki Fukuda co-stars as the young Kimiko, originally played by Yu Aoi. This is Fukuda's first time in a theater production.

Daisuke Habara, who had writing credits for the movie, will handle the script. Kazuya Yamada is directing, and choreography will be done by hula teacher Kaleinani Hayakawa, who was the model for Madoka's character.

Performances will run at the Akasaka ACT Theater in Tokyo from July 18 to August 3.