'Dear Evan Hansen,' 'Chicago' and other shows, concerts to check out Seoul

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Published: 20 Jun. 2024, 15:34 Updated: 20 Jun. 2024, 16:35

'Dear Evan Hansen,' 'Chicago' and other shows, concerts to check out Seoul

DEAR EVAN HANSEN
Chungmu Arts Center

The Korean production of the Broadway hit musical "Dear Evan Hansen” is currently underway at the Chungmu Art Center in central Seoul. [S&CO]

Through June 23: The Korean production of the Broadway hit musical "Dear Evan Hansen” is currently underway at the Chungmu Arts Center in central Seoul. The musical follows the titular Evan, an anxious high school student who gets caught up in a snowballing lie while trying to console the grieving family of a classmate who committed suicide.

Three actors alternate the role of Evan: Park Kang-hyun, Lim Kyu-hyung and Kim Sung-kyu.

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and at 3 p.m. on Sundays. There are no shows on Mondays.

Tickets range from 70,000 won ($50) to 160,000 won.

Sindang Station, line No. 6, exit 9

HEDWIG
Charlotte Theater

Through June 23: A dynamic mix of rock music and monologue, this eight-time Tony-nominated musical follows the life of a band called The Angry Inch. The Korean production of the musical premiered in 2005.

The story revolves around a boy named Hansel living in East Germany in 1988.

One day, a U.S. lieutenant proposes to marry Hansel if he changes his gender to female. Hansel eventually decides to adopt the name Hedwig and undergoes a sex change operation, but it fails. He flies to Kansas only to find that he has been dumped.
Undeterred, Hedwig starts wearing wigs and makeup, forms a band called The Angry Inch and becomes a rock star.

The Korean production of this musical features musical performers Jo Jung-suk, Yu Yeon-seok and Jeon Dong-seok, who alternate the main role.

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays; at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on weekends; and at 3 p.m. on public holidays. There are no shows on Mondays.

Tickets range from 80,000 won to 150,000 won.

Jamsil Station, line No. 2, exit 3

PAPER SHAMAN
National Theater of Korea, Haeoreum Grand Theater

The National Changgeuk Company is premiering a new changgeuk (traditional Korean opera) piece titled “Paper Shaman" at the National Theater of Korea in central Seoul on June 26. [NATIONAL THEATER OF KOREA]

June 26 – 30: The National Changgeuk Company is premiering a new changgeuk (traditional Korean opera) piece titled “Paper Shaman.” The work deals with Korean shamanism and the culture around it. The story revolves around a girl who is destined to become a Shaman and receives naerimgut, an initiation ceremony in Korean shamanism. After becoming a shaman, the girl encounters various forms of tragedies and pains throughout her journey, attempting to heal through different rituals. Kolleen Park, who has been active in directing musicals, is spearheading the work as director, co-writer of the script and music director.

The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and at 3 p.m. on weekends.

Tickets range from 20,000 won to 80,000 won.

Dongguk University Station, line No. 3, exit 6

HANS ZIMMER FILM MUSIC ENCORE CONCERT
Lotte Concert Hall

June 30: German film composer and music producer Hans Zimmer’s renowned film scores will be performed by maestro Kim Jae-won and the WE Philharmonic Orchestra. This upcoming concert is an encore, following the success of the same concert that was performed in January.

Some of Zimmer’s most famous pieces will be performed, including “First Step” from “Interstellar”; “Time” from “Inception”; the main theme from “The Dark Knight”; “Circle of Life” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from “The Lion King”; “Maestro” from “The Holiday”; and “Tennessee” and “There You’ll Be” from “Pearl Harbor,” and others.

The performance begins at 5 p.m.

Tickets range from 50,000 won to 130,000 won.

Jamsil Station, line No. 2, exit 1 or 2

JANOS STARKER 100th ANNIVERSARY CELLO FESTIVAL
Lotte Concert Hall

July 3 – 5: The Lotte Cultural Foundation will host a festival commemorating the 100th anniversary of Janos Starker's birth, together with the Japan Cello Association and Suntory Hall. Starker, born in Budapest, was one of the 20th century’s most renowned cellists. The New York Times’ obituary of him in 2013 described him as a cellist “whose restrained onstage elegance was amply matched by the cyclone of scotch, cigarettes and opinion that animated his offstage life.”

This festival, which will take place both in Korea and Japan, is a collaborative work between Starker’s students Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, a world renowned Japanese cellist and the president of the Suntory Hall, and Korean cellist Yang Sung-won.

On July 3, Bach’s “Complete Cello Suites” will be played by Tsuyoshi and Yang, as well as cellists Martina Schucan, Mark Kosower, Marc Coppey and Ole Akahoshi.

July 4 will be the day of the “Sonatas and Cello Ensemble,” which will fill the program with pieces including Popper’s “Suite for Two Cellos, Op. 16,” Beethoven’s “Cello Sonata No. 4 in C Major, Op. 102-1” and Brahms’ “Hungarian dances” No. 1, 3 and 5. On July 5, a gala concert will be organized, with pieces including Haydn’s “Cello Concerto No. 2 in D Major” and Schumann’s “Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129.”

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. on all three days.

Tickets range from 30,000 won to 150,000 won.

Jamsil Station, line No. 2, exit 1 or 2

CHICAGO
D-Cube Arts Center

Actors IVY, left, playing Roxie Hart, and Yoon Gong-joo, playing Velma Kelly, perform during a press showcase of the Korean Production of a hit musical "Chicago" at the D-Cube Arts Center in western Seoul, on June 11. [YONHAP]

Through Sept. 29: Broadway’s hit musical “Chicago” is now one of the most sought-after musicals for Koreans as well. Last year, Koreans got to see the Broadway production of the show here and this year, the Korean production is making a return.

The musical is based on the 1926 play of the same name by journalist Maurine Dallas Watkins about the actual criminals and crimes she reported on in Chicago.

The musical revolves around Roxie Hart, an ambitious chorus girl, who murders her lover.

Actors Choi Jung-won, Yoon Gong-joo and Jeong Sun-ah will alternate Velma Kelly, while IVY, Tiffany Young and Min Kyung-ah play Roxie Hart. Actors Park Gun-hyung and Choi Jae-rim will alternate Billy Flynn.

Tickets range from 80,000 won to 160,000 won.

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on weekends. There are no shows on Mondays.

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

INMO YANG & BERLINER BAROCK SOLISTEN
Lotte Concert Hall

Sept. 25: Violinist Yang In-mo, who became the first Korean to win the first place prize at the prestigious XII International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition in Helsinki, Finland, in 2022, will be accompanying Berliner Barock Solisten, or the Berlin Baroque Soloists, at Lotte Concert Hall in southern Seoul.

Founded in 1995 by prominent members of the Berliner Philharmoniker, Berliner Barock Solisten attempts to create a unique approach to the musical works of the 1600s and 1700s.

The program with Yang includes Bach’s “Violin concerto in E Major, BWV 1042,” as well as Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons.”

Tickets range from 30,000 won to 200,000 won.

The concert begins at 8 p.m.

Jamsil Station, line No. 2, exit 1 or 2

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

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