Often found at theaters and museums, Kwon Mee-yoo has covered a wide range of cultural fields from K-pop and dramas to theater and fine art for over a decade. Now as K-Culture Desk editor, she tries to connect Korean culture with global readers through fresh perspectives.
US playwright captures local musical fans
DiPietro's 'Falling for Eve,' 'The Toxic Avenger' staged here
By Kwon Mee-yoo
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Playwright Joe DiPietro is one of the most beloved Broadway writers in Korea. His musicals like the 1996 love story “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” and 2005’s “All Shook Up,” a jukebox musical featuring Elvis Presley music, have been a huge success here.
DiPietro’s two new musicals are currently playing in town — “Falling for Eve” premiered in July and “The Toxic Avenger” returned following last year’s success.
In “Falling for Eve,” Adam refuses to eat the forbidden fruit and it causes an unexpected parting of the lovers. Even God is taken aback by Adam’s choice and thinks of what to do with Adam and Eve.
The musical came from DiPietro’s longtime wish to stage a Bible story. “The composing team of Bret Simmons and David Howard brought me this idea. I immediately liked their songs and the story, so I said yes,” the playwright said in an email interview with The Korea Times.
The musical depicts the first love of human beings in the Garden of Eden. Among the characters of the musical, DiPietro showed affection toward Adam.
“I always like all my characters, or I wouldn’t be able to write them. I do, though, have a special fondness for Adam, since he starts the show as a happy innocent and makes the difficult decision to abandon his innocence for messy human love,” he said.
Another DiPietro work in town, “The Toxic Avenger,” is a B-grade comedy musical based on the 1985 film of the same name.
The protagonist, Melvin, is deformed after becoming contaminated by toxic waste. He later tries to save the earth from environmental pollution.
The playwright said he likes to write shows that are different from what he had written before. “My ideas come from a variety of places,” he said. “It could be from a newspaper article or a situation I’m encountering in my life, or sometimes I simply get obsessed with a subject and I have to write about it.”
DiPietro’s works are not only popular on Broadway but successful worldwide. “I try to write stories that are human, funny and entertaining. I find that if I can successfully combine those traits in a show, then I can reach an audience half a world away,” he said.
However, a good musical cannot be created only by a good writer, and DiPietro emphasized cooperation with other creative staff.
“You have to enjoy collaborating with other people. Musical books must be succinct and fast-paced, and the writer must be willing to allow a song or a dance to convey the big emotional moments of the show,” he said.
The writer’s well of ideas never seems to dry up. “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” a new musical using George and Ira Gershwin’s music and featuring Matthew Broderick, will open next spring. He is also working on “Chasing the Song,” a musical about songwriters in the early 1960s, with “Memphis” collaborator David Bryan.
He also hinted that a Korean production of the Tony Award-winning “Memphis” may happen soon, as local producers have already approached him for the license.
“Falling for Eve” runs through Sept. 11 at M Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. Tickets range between 30,000 and 70,000 won. Call (02) 399-1111 for more information.
“The Toxic Avenger” is open until Oct. 16 at Art One Theater in Daehangno. Tickets prices range from 50,000 to 65,000 won. For detailed information, call (02) 3485-8700.