Musicals to watch in 2023
The cast members of the upcoming musical, “The Phantom of Opera” / Courtesy of S&Co.
From 'The Phantom of Opera' to 'Les Miserables,' many theatrical shows in pipeline for 2023
By Dong Sun-hwa
The Korean musical scene is enjoying a golden moment currently, with ticket sales during the first half of 2022 standing at 182.6 billion won ($143.8 million) ― more than a twofold jump from 2021 ― according to the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System (KOPIS). It is highly likely to continue its winning streak in 2023, with a wide variety of theatrical shows, ranging from Korean renditions of world-renowned musicals to original productions, hitting the stage next year.
One of the most attention-grabbing shows is “The Phantom of the Opera,” which will be presented in Busan from March 30 to June 18 and in Seoul from July 14 to Nov. 17. It is the first time in 13 years for this musical to be performed in Korean language. In previous years, it was only available in English.
“The Phantom of the Opera” premiered on Broadway in New York in 1988 and is currently the longest-running show in Broadway history. It had its first run in Korea in 2001, attracting some 240,000 theatergoers. In 2009, its second run garnered 330,000 audience members, becoming the first single musical production in Korea to surpass the 300,000 mark.
Famed for its world-famous numbers such as “The Phantom of the Opera,” “All I Ask of You” and “Think of Me,” the upcoming show is based on the 1910 French novel of the same name that revolves around soprano Christine Daae and the Phantom, a masked musical genius living in the watery labyrinth beneath the Paris Opera House, who falls for Daae.
Prominent actors including Jo Seung-woo, Jeon Dong-suk and Choi Jae-rim will alternate the role of the Phantom.
The poster for the upcoming musical, “Les Miserables” / Courtesy of Les Miserables Korea
“Les Miserables” is also slated to hit the stage in October next year in Busan, Seoul and Daegu, about eight years after its last run. The names of the cast members have been kept under wraps, but its production company, Les Miserable Korea, hinted that “an unprecedented number of people” participated in its audition.
The show, which premiered in Paris in 1980, has been running in London since 1985, becoming the longest-running musical in the West End. It had its first and second runs in Korea in 2012 and 2015, respectively. Reputed for its beautiful music, “Les Miserables” took five awards at the Musical Awards and four trophies at the Korea Musical Awards in 2013. Some of its most well-known numbers include “I Dreamed a Dream” and “Lovely Ladies.”
Based on Victor Hugo's 1862 novel of the same name, the musical follows Jean Valjean, who serves a 19-year prison term for stealing a loaf of bread for his sister's child. It sheds light on the tragic life of French peasants during the 19th century.
The cast members of upcoming musical, “Beethoven” / Courtesy of EMK Musical
Numerous original productions are in the pipeline for 2023, too. One of them is “Beethoven,” a show about German composer/pianist Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) that will be staged in January at the Seoul Arts Center.
Created by Korean musical production company EMK Musical, “Beethoven” will unfold the story of the legendary composer and the people surrounding him. EMK revealed that it will put emphasis on his life as a musician and how he gets to discover his inner self.
SEENSEE Company will also showcase its original production, “Sisters” ― a jukebox musical introducing the smash hits of Korean girl groups who were active from the 1920s to 1970s. Helmed by acclaimed music director Kolleen Park, “Sisters” is set to premiere in September next year.
The musical version of the popular Japanese comic, “The Rose of Versailles,” will have its world premiere in Korea in December next year. It centers on four main characters: Queen Marie Antoinette (1755-1793), Swedish nobleman Hans Axel von Fersen (1755-1810) and two fictional characters, Oscar Francois de Jarjayes, a palace guard who was born as a girl but raised as a boy, and her companion, Andre Grandier.