2010.12.22 TICKET
The Korea National Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” through Saturday at the Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater. It is one of three “Nutcrackers” to be performed this year. Another will be presented by Universal Ballet Company at its theater through Dec. 31. See THEATER, below. [NEWSIS]
MUSIC
2000-2010 KUMHO ART HALL HIGHLIGHT
Kumho Art Hall
Tomorrow: To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Kumho Art Hall is presenting previous performers, including the Kumho Asiana Soloists.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 8,000 won ($6.92) to 30,000 won.
Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 7
(02) 6303-7700, www.kumhoarthall.com
HARPIST JUNG KWAK
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
Sunday: Jung Kwak headlines a benefit concert for the United Help for International Children organization, which funds surgery for disadvantaged children.
The two-part program includes Schumann’s “Traumerei,” Elgar’s “Salut d’Amor” and a rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World.”
The Mostly Philharmonic Orchestra and flutist Lee So-young are the featured guests.
Doors open at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 100,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 780-5054, www.sac.or.kr
OPERA GALA CONCERT
Seoul Arts Center, Opera Theater
Dec. 29 to 30: The Korean National Opera presents encore performances from the previous season and previews of pieces from the company’s upcoming season.
From the previous season, there are arias from Mozart’s “Idomeneo,” Alban Berg’s “Lulu,” Gaetano Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoo,” Verdi’s “Macbeth” and Christoph Willibald Gluck’s “Orfeo ed Euridice.” The preview of the coming season includes arias from Wagner’s “The Flying Dutchman” and Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra.”
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 50,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 592-5728, www.sac.or.kr
SEOUL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA SUBSCRIPTION CONCERT
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
Dec. 30: Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 will be performed by conductor Chung Myung-whun and mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill.
Chung made his debut in 1974 as the first Korean to take the award for piano in the Tchaikovsky Competition. Cargill is recognized around the world and is the winner of the 2002 Kathleen Ferrier Award.
The Seoul Philharmonic will be joined by several special guests, including the National Chorus of Korea, Nara Opera Choir and World Vision Korea Children’s Choir.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 100,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 592-5728, www.sac.or.kr
RYUICHI SAKAMOTO
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
Jan. 9: Ryuichi Sakamoto returns for his first appearance in Korea since 2000. The concert features two pianos - Sakamoto will play one and the other will play recordings of Sakamoto’s songs. The concert features songs from Sakamoto’s recent albums “Playing the Piano” and “Out of Noise,” both from 2009.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 50,000 won to 160,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 555-5743, www.sac.or.kr
THEATER
THE NUTCRACKER
Seoul Arts Center, Opera Theater
To Saturday: The Korea National Ballet’s production of the holiday classic strictly follows the choreography of the legendary Yuri Grigorovich, who led Russia’s Bolshoi Ballet for 33 years. His version had its world premiere in 1966.
All of the mimed movements have been changed to dances, which means that the dances are technically challenging, the KNB said.
Performances start at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Tickets range from 5,000 won to 90,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
(02) 530-1300 or 1588-7890, www.sac.or.kr
THE NUTCRACKER
Universal Arts Center
Today to Dec. 31: The Universal Ballet Company’s production of “The Nutcracker” uses the original 1892 choreography created by Lev Ivanov and designed for the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. In this version, the children’s roles are performed by real children. In other versions the children are played by adults.
“Mother Ginger and her children,” a dance from Act 2, is the most fun for kids, given that 10 child dancers come out from under the gigantic skirt of Mother Ginger,” according to a UBC press release.
There will be two performances a day at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. The Dec. 26 performances are at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and on Dec. 27 there is one performance at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets range from 10,000 won to 80,000 won.
Achasan Station, line No. 5, exit 4
(070) 7124-1740, visit www.ubcballet.co.kr
THE MARRIAGE OF FIAGARO
Arko Arts Theater, Main Hall
To Sunday: This production celebrates the 50th anniversary of Shilhum Theater.
The play aims to show the difference between the social status of France in the 18th century and how it is still portrayed in the present.
It stars renowned theater actors Suh In-suk and Lee Young-bum.
Ku Tae-hwan directs.
This performance is only for ages 13 and up.
Performances are at 3 and 8 p.m. today, at 8 p.m. on Thursday, at 3 p.m. on Friday, at 3 and 7 p.m. on Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets range from 25,000 won to 70,000 won.
Hyehwa Station, line No. 4, exit 2
(02) 889-3561~2, www.hanpac.or.kr
ANNIE
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Grand Theatre
To Dec. 28: The Seoul Metropolitan Musical Theater presents an encore production of “Annie,” three years after it was first shown in Korea.
The 2007 production received the Best Foreign Musical Award at the Korea Musical Awards.
Performances are at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 50,000 won.
Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 1 or 8
(02) 399-1772, www.sejongpac.or.kr
THE SNOWMAN
Hoam Art Hall
To Dec. 31: The Korean language version of “The Snowman,” a musical based on the children’s book of the same name by English author Raymond Briggs, returns for an encore performance after its premiere here in March 2009. The musical is a classic tale about the adventures of a boy and his snowman. Created in 1986 in London, the musical has been a popular holiday favorite ever since.
Performances are at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, at 1 and 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets range from 35,000 won to 55,000 won.
City Hall Station, line No. 1 or 2, exit 9
(02) 751-9607~10, www.hoamarthall.org
TAKE CARE OF MOM
Theater Yong, National Museum of Korea
To Dec. 31: This play, performed by an all-Korean cast, attempts to give new meaning to motherhood.
The play is based the novel of the same name by Shin Kyung-sook. Shin’s book has sold more than 1.2 million copies and topped the best-seller list for much of 2008 and 2009.
The novel is about a family searching for their mother and the heartaches of motherhood.
Performances are at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, and at 2 and 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. There are no performances on Mondays.
Tickets range from 40,000 to 60,000 won.
Ichon Station, lines No. 1 and 4, exit 2
1544-1555, http://ticket.interpark.com.
HERO
The National Theater of Korea, Main Hall Hae
To Jan. 15: Winner in six categories at the 4th Musical Awards and the 16th Korea Musical Awards, this original musical about colonial-era resistance fighter Ahn Jung-geun returns to the stage once again. This year’s production features new high-tech effects such as 3-D images and a real train that rises into the air.
The role of Ahn Jung-geun is played alternately by Jeong Seong-hwa, Yang Jun-mo and Sin Seong-rok.
Performances are at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and at 2 and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays. On Dec. 24, performances are at 3:30 and 8 p.m., and on Dec. 31 there is one performance at 3:30 p.m.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 110,000 won.
Dongkuk University Station, line No. 3, exit 2
Take a shuttle in front of Taegeukdang.
(02) 2290-5900, www.ntok.go.kr
THE THREE MUSKETEERS
Chungmu Art Hall, Grand Theater
To Jan. 30: The legendary story of the three musketeers Athos, Porthos and Aramis returns to Korea, following sold out houses the last time it was presented here.
Based on the 1884 novel by Alexandre Dumas, the play tells the story of d’Artagnan and his friends, the three musketeers.
Performances are at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; at 4 and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and at 3 and 7 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 120,000 won.
Sindang Station, line No. 2, exit 1
Walk 150 meters (about 500 feet) toward Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station.
(02) 2230-6624, www.musicalthreemusketeers.com
AIDA
Seongnam Arts Center, Opera House
To Mar. 27: Aida returns to Korea after a five-year absence. The story of Ethiopian princess Aida is one of forbidden love. Aida is captured and sold into slavery in Egypt, where Egyptian military commander Radames falls in love with her. As the military commander of Egypt, Radames is forbidden to love a woman from a different country and he struggles to choose between her and his service to the Pharaoh. To make matters worse, the Pharaoh’s daughter Amneris is in love with him. Will Radames chose love or success?
The role of Aida is played by Ock Joo-hyun, a former member of girl group Fin.K.L.
Performances are at 8 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and at 2 and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 120,000 won.
Imae Station, Bundang line, exit 1
(02) 1544-1555, www.snart.or.kr
BILLY ELLIOT
LG Arts Center
Open run: Based on the movie of the same name, and with music by Elton John, this musical has been a mega-hit worldwide. This is the first non-English language production of the show, which was previously produced in Britain, Australia and the United States. Four men will alternate in the title role, including Im Sun-woo, who is the youngest person ever to play the character. It was nominated in 15 categories at the 2009 Tony Awards and ended up winning 10 of the major awards, including best musical.
Performances are at 8 p.m. from Tuesdays to Fridays and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Tickets range from 50,000 won to 130,000 won.
Yeoksam Station, line No. 2, exit 7
(02) 3446-9630, www.musicalbillyelliot.co.kr
FESTIVALS
CHRISTMAS IN BUSAN FESTIVAL
Gwangbokro Streeet, Busan
To Jan. 17: Gigantic Christmas trees and a variety of lights will decorate the streets of downtown Busan at night from Nov. 30 to Jan. 17. About 90 trees have been installed along a one-kilometer section from the entrance of Gwangbokro to Chamseon Samgeori. The facades of large buildings are also decorated with Christmas trees.
(051) 759-7144, www.btcf.kr
*Event information is culled from the Korea Tourism Organization and other online sources.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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