Children’s theater for summer break

Arts & Design

Published: 01 Aug. 2013, 20:32

Children’s theater for summer break

A scene from “Peter Pan.” Provided by the organizer

Summer break is in full swing for school-aged children. You don’t want them rotting their brains in front of the television all summer, but you can’t just stick them in a hagwon, or private cram school,? for the whole break, either. If you want your children to get a little cultural stimulation, what’s a parent to do? Fortunately, there are a number of performances going on this summer, made specifically with children in mind. Here’s an overview of some of the most promising options that young people and their parents can enjoy.

Musical, “Peter Pan”

This version of “Peter Pan” has flown in from Las Vegas, with staging by the renowned ZFX team. Playing every day at the Kepco Art Center until Aug. 18, this story of a mischievous boy who refused to grow up and the villainous Captain Hook is always a favorite with the young.

“Peter Pan” plays everyday at 2:30 p.m., with an additional show on Saturdays at 11 a.m. Tickets range from 35,000 won to 60,000 won ($31.15-$53.40). However, children accompanied by their fathers are eligible for a 50 percent discount. For more information, call (02) 3141-3025.

There are a number of performances for children to enjoy this summer holiday season. From top to bottomt: Teddy Bear Theater’s ballet “Swan Lake”; the opera “Turandot” and play “Get on the Bus, No. 497.” Provided by organizers

Teddy Bear’s Ballet, “Swan Lake”

Even for some adults, ballet performances can be a hard to sit through. But Teddy Bear Theater’s version of “Swan Lake,” will grab children’s attention for its full 70 minutes, promises Seol & Company, the organizer.

That’s because this version features ballet dancers dressed in animal costumes, such as teddy bears, foxes, rabbits and, of course, swans.

Recommended for children older than 2 years, this version of “Swan Lake” features Dudu the bear, who takes a girl who wishes to be a ballerina on a magical journey, but a wicked witch turns the girl into a swan.

The performances will run through Aug. 18 at the Naru Art Center in eastern Seoul. Shows begin on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m.; on Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; and on Wednesdays, weekends, and holidays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. There are no performances on Mondays. Tickets range from 40,000 won to 50,000 won.

Play, “Get on the Bus, No. 497”

For elementary school and middle school students, the play, “Get on the Bus, No. 497,” may help them develop sympathy for multicultural families in Korea. Sponsored by Save the Children, the theater company Sadari and the Seoul Arts Center, the title of this play in Korea translates to “The friend my mother doesn’t know.”

Regardless of what you call it, “Bus” deals with a wide range of issues that face multicultural families, such as relationships with friends, school and finding their own identity.

During its first production in 2011, more than 10,000 elementary school students and parents watched the play, according to the organizers.

The play kicked off at the Jayu Small Theater of the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul yesterday and runs to Aug. 25. The performances start weekdays at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and weekends at 1 and 4 p.m. There are no performances on Mondays. Tickets cost between 20,000 won and 30,000 won. Tickets are available at www.sacticket.co.kr.

Concert, “Peter and the Wolf”

The much-loved concert, based on music and a story by Prokofiev, is playing this summer until Sept. 1.

As with most versions of “Peter,” this is a great way for young people to understand the various instruments of the orchestra better, as the music and story combine in a delightful tale.

Playing at Yundang Art Hall in Apgujeong, southern Seoul, until Sept. 1. Tickets cost 20,000 won and 30,000 won. Show start Tuesdays to Fridays at 2 p.m.; Saturdays and holidays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and Sundays at 1:30 p.m.

Opera, “Turandot”

Much like ballet, the opera can often be tough for young people to enjoy. And often operas are full of sex and tragedy - not really the best material for young people.

Puccini’s “Turandot,” though, is a much more fun and wholesome tale. The story of a prince totally in love with Princess Turandot, he must answer three difficult riddles to marry the lovely princess.

“Turandot” runs Aug. 9 to 17 at the CJ Towol Theater of the Seoul Arts Center. Performances start Tuesday and Thursday at 3 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 3 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets range from 30,000 won to 70,000 won. Tickets available at www.sacticket.co.kr.

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [sharon@joongang.co.kr]