Musicals
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
There are quite a few musicals to choose from these days, but for the holidays, why not watch the blow. Venues that are host to these productions will be fully open during the holidays, with the exceptions of ``42nd Street,'' which will not go on stage on Thursday, the Lunar New Year day and ``Love'' on Wednesday.
Notre Dame De Paris
The latest Korean production of the French musical ``Notre Dame de Paris,'' first seen in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province in October and Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province in December, is being on stage in Seoul.
Choi Sung-hee (better known as Bada) takes the role of Esmeralda, a gypsy woman who lives in front of the cathedral of Notre Dame with other gypsies.
With lyrics by Luc Plamondon and music composed by Richard Cocciante, the show is renowned for its beautiful and heartbreaking musical numbers, which are performed without dialogue. The choreography spans various dance styles from ballet, contemporary dance, apparatus gymnastics to break-dancing.
The musical will run at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul until Feb. 28. Tickets cost from 40,000 to 130,000 won. For ticket reservations, call 1544-1555 or visit www.interpark.com.
Nine
The musical, ``Nine'' starring actor Hwang Jung-min is based on an Italian play by Mario Fratti inspired by Federico Fellini's autobiographical film ``8 1/2'' and focuses on the film director Guido Contini.
The first Korean rendition deals with Guido's struggles at the age of 40, which thrusts him into an emotional tailspin that threatens to destroy his personal and professional life.
It focuses on Guido's midlife crisis, which blocks his creativity, entangling him in a web of romantic difficulties in early-1960s Venice.
In the Korean production of the musical, award-winning actress Kim Sun-young will play the part of Luisa, Guido's wife. Kang Pil-suk will alternate playing the role of Guido with Hwang.
The musical will run through March 2 at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul. Tickets cost from 30,000 won to 120,000 won. For more information, call 1588-5212.
42nd Street
Broadway musical comedy and multi-Tony Award winner ``42nd Street'' will be shown until Feb. 28. The show is renowned for its flamboyant tap dancing, exuberant costumes, speedy stage changes and its memorable musical scores.
The story is a typical Cinderella type story depicting how an unknown actress later becomes a famous musical star. But it gives the audience a hopeful message as it shows how the characters make it through the difficulties and bring their dreams into reality.
The show will tour Daegu and Daejeon after the Seoul show. The musical will be held at the National Theater of Korea until Feb. 28. No performance Thursday during the holidays. Tickets cost from 40,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 742-9005.
Love
The musical ``Love'' features Chun Yang-ja and a cast with an average age of 61, targeting an older audience.
The first Korean rendition is the humorous love story, which is originally created by the Icelandic director Gisli Orn Gartharsson and his company Vesturport. Gartharsson is a director who has recently come into the spotlight in the West End.
This show is the story about old people and love, which changes their lonely and insipid daily lives.
The musical features old pop songs such as ``Que Sera sera,'' ``Obladi Oblada,'' ``Let it Be,'' ``Thank you for the Music,'' and ``Only Love.''
The musical will continue to run at M Theater of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul until Feb. 24. No performance Wednesday.
Singles
``Singles,'' based on the local film of the same name opens its second season following its premiere last year.
The musical stars singer-turned-actor Son Ho-young, a former member of the Korean boyband g.o.d. with a huge female fan base. The show is about two unmarried women, turning 30 and their love and friendship.
``Singles'' is a musical adaptation of the 2003 Korean movie, starring Jang Jin-yeung, Eom Jeong-hwa and Lee Bum-soo.
The musical won three awards at 2007 Korean Musical Awards. It runs at Hoam Art Hall in Seoul through Feb. 24. Tickets cost from 35,000 won. For more, call (02) 1577-5266.