2020. 10. 20 Ticket

Ticket

Published: 20 Oct. 2020, 15:31 Updated: 20 Oct. 2020, 15:37

2020. 10. 20 Ticket

A FATHER’S PATH
National Theater of Korea, Daloreum Theater

Oct. 30 – Nov. 8: The National Changgeuk Company of Korea presents “A Father’s Path,” a traditional Korean opera loosely based on the death of King Danjong (1452-1455).

Danjong was one of the doomed kings of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). He took the throne at the age of 11 but was exiled after a coup staged by his uncle.

Set in the turbulent time of the Joseon Dynasty, the changgeuk (Korean traditional opera) sheds light on Wag Bang-yeon, a government official, who is ordered to deliver poison to King Danjong. Wang, a loyal retainer, doesn’t want to obey the order, but he has no choice but to follow it because his only daughter is about to get married.

Feeling guilty for his actions, Wang decides to take his own life after the marriage. But on the day of the wedding, Wang’s son-in-law is suddenly kidnapped by people who are involved in the coup.

The changgeuk explores paternal love through the story of Wang and his daughter.

The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays. It starts at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. There are no shows on Mondays.

Tickets range from 20,000 won ($18) to 50,000 won.

Dongguk University Station, line No. 3, exit 6.

KINKY BOOTS
Blue Square, Interpark Hall

Through Nov. 1: Charlie Price takes over the family business from his father and begins to run a shoe factory, but he soon realizes he is on the verge of bankruptcy. In a bid to find a breakthrough, the businessman unwillingly teams up with a drag performer named Lola to produce a line of high-heeled boots for other drag queens called "kinky boots."

Through the relationship between the unlikely pair, the musical spotlights how people from different backgrounds can come to understand each other.

Lee Seok-hoon from the K-pop trio SG Wannabe and Kim Sung-kyu from the K-pop boy group Infinite alternate in the role of Charlie while three musical actors — Park Eun-tae, Choi Jae-lim and Kang Hong-seok — are triple cast for the role of Lola.

The musical starts at 8 p.m. from Tuesdays to Fridays, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends and national holidays. There are no shows on Mondays.

Ticket prices range from 60,000 to 140,000 won.

Hangangjin Station, line No. 6, exit 2 or 3.

This year's Seoul Dance Festival kicks off on Nov. 4 at the Arko Art Center in central Seoul. All the performances will also be streamed online for free. [HANFILM]

SEOUL DANCE FESTIVAL
Arko Art Center

Nov. 4 – 20: For 17 days from Nov. 4 to 20, about 11 performances, including traditional and contemporary, will be staged at the Arko Art Center in central Seoul, leaving half of the seats empty and also streaming the shows online for free through YouTube and Naver TV, a streaming platform operated by the portal giant.

The festival kicks off with opening performance “Amazing Maestros” on Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. by traditional dancers who are registered as the holders of intangible cultural assets such as Yang Seong-ok, Yang Gil-soon, Park Jae-hee and Chae Sang-mook.

There are performances by young dancers as well, such as the “Passionate Dance Floor” on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m., and the young choreographers’ competition stages at 8 p.m. every night from Nov. 11 to 18.

Ticket prices vary depending on the show, while online streaming is provided for free via the festival’s official YouTube channel.

For more information, visit sdf1979.koreadanceassociation.org

Hyehwa Station, line No. 4, exit 2.

LE CORSAIRE
Seoul Arts Center, Opera Theater

Nov. 4 – 8: The Korean National Ballet (KNB) presents “Le Corsaire,” which was originally set to take place in June.

The exotic “Le Corsaire” is based on “The Pirates,” an epic poem by Lord Byron.

It is the first time for the national ballet troupe to reinterpret “Le Corsaire” in 15 years.

When the ballet company performed “Le Corsaire” years ago on home soil, it was based on the original choreography by French dancer and choreographer Marius Petipa, but the troupe has added its own flavor this time with choreography by young ballet dancer Song Jung-bin. Song has been presenting works through the KNB Movement Series, which is designed to nurture choreographers within the Korean National Ballet.

“Le Corsaire” depicts the journey of a pirate ship steered by Conrad the captain, in search of his love Medora, who has been captured by slave trader Lankendem.

The ballet performance starts at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and 3 p.m. on weekends.

Tickets range from 5,000 won to 80,000 won.

Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5.

Musical Gwangju will run through to Nov. 8 at the Hongik Daehangno Art Center in central Seoul. [SHON COMPANY]

MUSICAL GWANGJU
Hongik Daehangno Art Center, Grand Theater

Through Nov. 8: Musical Gwangju is an original musical created to mark the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Democratization Movement that took place in Gwangju in 1980.

Taking motifs from the famous songs that were chanted by those who fought for the democracy of the country, director Koh Sun-woong takes the audience members back to the protest scene 40 years ago, telling the stories of the people of Gwangju who sing of hope despite the horrendous situation they are in.

Renowned composer Choi Woo-jeong collaborated with Koh once again to write the numbers for the musical.

Actors Min Woo-hyuk, Tei and Seo Eun-kwang alternate the lead role of Park Han-soo, a special forces soldier, while actors Min Young-ki and Kim Chan-ho alternate the role of Yoon Yi-geon, a teacher who takes the lead in organizing citizen militia.

The musical begins at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays; and at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on weekends and public holidays. There are no shows on Mondays.

Tickets range from 66,000 won to 110,000 won.

Hyehwa Station, line No. 4, exit 3.

THE MUSICAL CATS
Charlotte Theater

Through Nov. 8: One of the most well-known musicals across the globe, “Cats,” is making its way back to Korean soil to commemorate the 40th anniversary of its debut.

The original production team, which came to Korea in 2017, will return but with updated props, costumes and more powerful choreography.

“Cats” was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and produced by Cameron Mackintosh, based on the “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T.S. Eliot, and tells the story of a tribe of cats called the Jellicles who must make the "Jellicle choice" to decide which of them will ascend to the Heaviside Layer to be reborn.

Details about the cast are yet to be revealed.

The musical starts at 8 p.m. during weekdays. Two shows are available at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends and national holidays. There are no shows on Mondays.

Tickets range from 60,000 won to 160,000 won.

Jamsil Station, lines No. 2 and No. 8, exit 3.

DISNEY IN CONCERT: A DREAM IS A WISH
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts

Nov. 21 - 22: Disney fans should keep their fingers crossed as the popular “Disney in Concert” is planning to go ahead as planned in November. The concert, which tours across the world, comes to Seoul twice a year, but its May concert was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, disappointing its younger and older fans alike.

Since the concert’s Korean premiere in 2014, the show has been gaining popularity every year. Children attend the concerts dressed in their favorite Disney character’s costumes, making it an annual ritual. For the upcoming concert, Disney classics, “Ariel,” “Cinderella,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Lion King” as well as “Frozen” and “Frozen 2” will be performed accompanied by the Ditto Orchestra.

Admission is not allowed for children below 48 months.

The concert starts at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets range from 40,000 won to 120,000 won.

Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 8.

“ONE PIECE” MUSIC SYMPHONY FILM CONCERT
Lotte Concert Hall

Dec. 12 – 13: Fans of Japanese comic books would say that their sacred “One Piece” needs no introduction. But for those who have never heard of it, it’s the most popular Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda.

As of April 2020, the manga had over 470 million copies in circulation in 43 countries worldwide, making it the best-selling manga series in history. It’s been serialized since 1997 and compiled into 97 volumes as of September 2020. Due to its immense popularity, the manga has been adapted into both film and TV cartoon series as well.

The soundtracks of the “One Piece” film also proved a hit. Accordingly, a film concert showcasing soundtracks of the “One Piece” film has been developed, holding sell-out shows where ever it goes including France, Britain, Denmark, China and Hong Kong.

Local classical music concert organizer Stomp Music decided to bring the popular concert to Korea for the local fans this year. For two days on Dec. 12 and 13 at the Lotte Concert Hall, soundtracks of the “One Piece” film will be performed by the Arts Symphony Orchestra. According to Stomp Music, the original production team as well as a French maestro will visit Korea for the concerts. The scenes of the film will be screened as the orchestra play the numbers as well.

Tickets range from 60,000 won to 120,000 won.

The concert starts at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Jamsil Station, lines No. 2 and 8, exit 1 or 2.

MUSICAL GHOST
D-Cube Arts Center

Through March 14: Based on the 1990 hit romantic fantasy film “Ghost,” the undying love story between Sam and Molly returns to home soil as a musical for the first time in seven years.

Sam is attacked by an unidentified man on his way home one day and eventually dies. But he can’t move to the next world after his death and hovers around Molly. He eventually visits a psychic named Oda Mae to ask for help and endeavors to find ways to reach out to his girlfriend.

The musical version of the story premiered on the West End in 2011 and came to Korea in 2013.

It is directed by British director and playwright Matthew Warchus who won numerous awards with musicals like “The Norman Conquests” and “Matilda the Musical.”

Actor Joo Won and two musical actors, Kim Woo-hyung and Kim Jin-wook, are triple cast for the role of Sam while singer-turned-actor Ivy, and musical actor Park Ji-yeon alternate for the role of Molly.

Two veteran actors, Choi Jung-won and Park Jun-myun, are set to spice up the story by playing the role of Oda Mae.

The musical starts at 8 p.m. during weekdays. Two shows are available at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on weekends. There are no shows on Mondays.

Tickets range from 60,000 won to 140,000 won.

Sindorim Station, lines No. 1 and 2, exit 1 or 5.

*Most tickets are available at ticket.interpark.com/global or by calling 1544-1555.