2016.5.19 THEATER Ticket
Choreographer Matthew Bourne is coming back to Korea with his dance musical “Sleeping Beauty.” Everything about the classical ballet piece is being transformed except for Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music: A vampire love story is being added, and Princess Aurora is a more active character who struggles to find her own love. See THEATER, below. [JOHAN PERSSO]
LG Arts Center
June 22 to July 3: Choreographer Matthew Bourne is back with his ground-breaking dance musical “Sleeping Beauty.” Composed by Tchaikovsky, it is originally a classical ballet piece that is one of his most famous works, along with “The Nutcracker” and “Swan Lake.”
Bourne reinterprets classic ballet pieces - for example, he surprised the audience with muscular male dancers as swans, which contradicts the image of classical ballet. For this piece, he mixes in a vampire story and makes Princess Aurora active and vigorous, unlike in the original story.
The show starts at 8 p.m. on weekdays; and 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on weekends. There are no shows on Mondays.
Tickets range from 40,000 won to 130,000 won.
Yeoksam Station, line No. 2, exit 7
Charlotte Theater
To June 4: The Korean production of this megahit musical is returning to the Charlotte Theater. Sophie is about to get married and wants her father to give her away, but the problem is she doesn’t know who her father is.
After taking a peek in her mother’s diary, she discovers he could be one of three candidates, so she tricks them all into attending her wedding.
The cast includes veteran musical actresses Choi Jung-won and Shin Young-sook as Donna, and Girls’ Generation member Seohyun and Kim Geum-nah as Sophie.
The show starts at 8 p.m. on weekdays; and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends. There are no shows on Mondays.
Tickets range from 60,000 won to 140,000 won.
Jamsil Station, line No. 2 and No. 8, exit 3.
MATA HARI
Blue Square Samsung Card Hall
To June 12: This musical is about the life of a dancer, Mata Hari, at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. It is based on the story of a real person who was killed by the French government during World War I for being a German spy. The musical tells the story of Mata Hari’s devoted yet tragic love for a German colonel. Ock Joo-hyun, a musical actress who was once a member of the K-pop girl group Fin.K.L, and Kim So-hyang are playing the lead role.
The show starts at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays; and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends. There are no shows on Mondays.
Tickets range from 60,000 won to 140,000 won.
Hangangjin Station, line No. 6, exit 2.
THE THREE MUSKETEERS
D Cube Art Center
To June 26: With a star-studded cast, this production of the classic musical features K-pop idols Park Hyung-sik, Sandeul and Shinwoo, as well as crossover artist Kai, sharing the lead role of d’Artagnan.
Based on the 1844 Alexandre Dumas novel, the musical tells of the adventures of a young man and his three friends Athos, Porthos and Aramis.
As the musical was also a hit in Japan, the show is returning to Korea for what is set to be another strong run.
The performance starts at 8 p.m. on weekdays; 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays; and 3 p.m. on Sundays. There are no shows on Mondays.
Tickets range from 60,000 won to 110,000 won.
Sindorim Station, lines No. 1 and No. 2, exit 1 and 5.
EDGAR ALLAN POE
BBCH Hall, Kwanglim Arts Center
May 26 to July 24: The musical features the life of American poet and writer Edgar Allan Poe. “The Black Cat,” “The Fall of the House of Usher” and “The Raven” are among his representative works.
Poe had a gloomy and lonely childhood, as his parents died when he was 3. His literary talent lets him make a name for himself, and he marries Virginia, but soon, she dies. Meanwhile, his rival Griswold tries to ruin his reputation out of jealousy.
The musical has a fantastic cast, with actor Michael Lee, K-pop star Kim Dong-wan and Choi Jae-lim playing the lead role. Michael Lee has also performed on Broadway and starred in “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
The show starts at 8 p.m. on weekdays; 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays; and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.
Tickets range from 60,000 won to 110,000 won.
Apgujeong Station, line No. 3, exit 4.
SIMCHEONG
Opera House, Seoul Arts Center
June 10-18: This cultural mash-up blends the genre of ballet with a traditional Korean tale about a girl named Simcheong, who sacrifices herself to make her blind father see.
She decides to jump into the sea but doesn’t die and becomes the queen of an underwater kingdom. She and her father meet again and live happily ever after.
Although this story emphasizes the concept of hyo, a word that describes the deep love and sense of duty felt by children toward their parents, which is influenced by Confucianism, the piece gained international recognition after its world premiere in 1986 for its beautiful choreography and stage design.
Hwang Hye-min, the principal dancer of Universal Ballet, will take the lead role.
The show starts at 8 p.m. on weekdays; and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends.
Tickets range from 10,000 won to 100,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5.
SWEENEY TODD
Charlotte Theater
June 21 to Oct. 3: People in Korea often go see horror movies to escape the hot weather, but how about trying musical theater this summer? This show tells the story of barber Sweeney Todd, who is out to get revenge on Judge Turpin after being put in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. He comes back with a new identity and starts to carry out his plot, along with the help of Mrs. Lovett.
The musical gained popularity on Broadway after its world premiere in 1979 and has been remade over the years, winning multiple Tony Awards.
The star cast of the Korean production includes Jo Seung-woo and Yang Jun-mo as Todd, and Ock Joo-hyun and Jeon Mi-do as Mrs. Lovett.
The show starts at 8 p.m. on weekdays; 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays; and 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. There are no shows on Mondays.
Tickets range from 60,000 won to 140,000 won.
Jamsil Station, lines No. 2 and No. 8, exit 3.
WICKED
Opera House, Seoul Arts Center
July 12 to Aug. 28: The blockbuster Broadway musical “Wicked” is coming to Korea with an exciting cast for ardent theatergoers. Cha Ji-yeon and Park Hye-na will play Elphaba, and Jung Sun-ah and Ivy will play Glinda. The four divas will make the show extra special.
The musical gained a strong following after its premiere in Korea in 2012, and the show ran for 11 months in 2013. This year, the musical is also going to Daegu for five weeks.
The performance starts at 8 p.m. on weekdays; and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays. There are no shows on Mondays.
Tickets range from 60,000 won to 140,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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