Entertainment Apr. 30, 2008 - 07:10AM JST ( 0 )

TOKYO —

Idol agent Johnny’s has announced that pop group Shonentai will withdraw from the annual musical “PLAYZONE,” in favor of younger idols next year.

“PLAYZONE” has been performed by Kazukiyo Nishikiori, 43, Katsuhide Uekusa, 42 and Noriyuki Higashiyama, 42, since 1986 when it was first organized by the agent’s president, Johnny Kitagawa. The final performances by Shonentai will be held in July in Tokyo and August in Osaka.