Kids Performances for Summer Vacation
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
Vacation is always a blessing for children. But it creates big stress for their parents who have to do something special for their children during this time.
However, a wise choice by picking out a good performance will provide children with both entertainment and education.
Here are a variety of kids' performances targeting children and family members this summer.
AGA-BOOM
AGA-BOOM is a theatrical event that defies description _ it will have you laughing, smiling and feeling a level of exhilaration increasingly rare in the live performance experience.
Based on a unique style of a theatrical clowning, the performance combines the unbridled silliness of slapstick and the humor of physical comedy with theatrical expressionism, poetry and the European avant-garde.
The troupe members come from Cirque du Soleil's ``Alegria'' and ``O'' and The Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus.
AGA-BOOM directed by Dimitri Bogatirev premiered in Hollywood in 2002 and was a sold-out performance until 2005.
The act magically blends the best elements of circus, comedy and experimental theater in a manner that has yet to be seen on stage.
The show is for all ages and for entire families.
The performance was nominated for the Ovation Award, in the category of best touring show, along with ``The Producers,'' ``42nd Street,'' ``Lily Tomlin'' and ``Elaine Stritch.''
The performance will open at the Auditorium of COEX in southern Seoul from Aug. 16 to Sept. 1.
Uncle Cookie's Funny Farm
This performance is an English-speaking musical, which will be staged at the Broad Hall in Mokdong, Seoul until Sept. 2.
The musical presented by PMC Production _ known as the production company for ``Cookin'' _ is designed for children and their parents who are interested in effective English education.
The musical was created by foreign English teachers who have lived in Korea for a long time.
Robert Gardiner, actor and director of the musical, came to Korea 13 years ago. The Canada-born teacher has an acting background as he has performed at the age of 10 on the musical stage in Canada.
According to the production company, the musical focuses on ``teaching,'' rather than ``performing.''
In the musical, children are encouraged to understand adorable characters and animation.
The musical is intended to help children raise their concentration and learn English through situational dramas along with songs.
Each song has lyrics that are repeatable through conversation with characters in English. English educators who appear in ``Go Go Giggles,'' an English educational program on EBS and other various English institutions such as Christopher Hughes, Robert Gardiner, Lisette St. Louis and Boyd Kelly, will take part in the musical.
Tickets cost from 25,000 to 35,000 won. For more information, call (02) 738-8289.
Captain Hook and Ddibo
The musical is an upgraded version of last year's ``Kids' Alchemist.''
``Captain Hook and Ddibo'' is based on an adventure looking for dream and hope, which was the main theme of last year's version, but this year's show will focus more on friendship.
The story revolves around Ddibo, a tiny shooting star, who is lost on its way, traveling with its friend Emilio to find its home. During the journey, Captain Hook interrupts their search for home.
In the musical, widely popular comedian Park Joon-hyung who gained popularity in the KBS program, ``Gag Concert,'' will play Captain Hook. Park has actively been engaged in kids-related programs.
The musical opens at Seoul Kyo Yuk Munhwa Hoekwan Theater on July 20 until Aug. 26.
Tickets cost from 30,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 764-8760.
AssiFe 2007 ASSITEJ Festival
AssiFe 2007 (ASSITEJ Festival) turns 15 years this year. Every year, the festival has added a new chapter to children and youth theatre in Korea.
This summer, the festival has a new title, ``AssiFe 2007 (Assitej Festival)'' offering not only productions from the countries with a strong tradition in children's theatre such as Japan, Taiwan, Canada, Germany and Britain.
But also it presents local productions awarded at the 16th Seoul Children's Theatre Awards.
In addition, ASSITEJ (International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People) Korea organizes Asian Children's Theatre Festival 2007, Seoul.
The festival will be held in Daehangno, the Mecca of performing arts from July 21 to July 29.
The performing arts festival has a strong influence on children's values, future and artistic susceptibility.
It is designed to encourage imagination and creativity from children as well as provide opportunities for children and their parents to view pieces that have won the 16th Seoul Children Theatre Awards.
The festival will present ```The Tale of Haruk'' (Korea), ``The Cat That Lives a Million Times'' (Japan) and ``Cheer Up Captain'' (Korea), ``The Little Zoo Story'' (Germany) and ``Cargo'' (Canada).
It will be a good opportunity for children to watch various plays based on famous children's stories performed in different languages as well as through music and body language.
For more information, call (02) 745-5874.
Beethoven Story
This is a children's play presented by Sadari Theater Company, which won the grand prix in the children's drama contest in 2005.
It adopts the elements of a puppet show alongside the actors.
The puppets are parts of the movements of actors and also act like independent characters.
The play sheds light on the childhood of Beethoven and his passions despite his gradual hearing loss beginning in his twenties.
It imparts that sounds can be heard not just physically but spirituallly as well.
The play tries to discover the new meaning of sounds through interesting theatrical stories.
The performance will open at the Sadari Arts Center in Daehangno, central Seoul, on July 20 and continue to run until Aug. 26.
Tickets cost 20,000 won. Fore more information, call (02) 382-5477.
Ryukendo
``Ryukendo'' will hit the stage again after its sold-out performances in April when it premiered.
The performance is based on a TV drama, which was aired on cable TV.
About 600 million won has been spent to produce the musical.
``After putting the musical on stage in April, people have asked us to present an encore performance. So we've decided to present it again not only in Seoul but also in more than 30 cities nationwide,'' an official of the GSENT, said.
In the encore performance, more visual and technical gimmicks will be upgraded.
To bring vivid effects of the television version onto the stage, special effects such as laser shows will be presented.
Also, realistic make-up, transformation of characters, which are the key parts for children, and flamboyant action scenes will feature in the performance.
The musical will open its second run in the Conference Room of COEX in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul, July 20 until Aug. 19.
Tickets cost from 33,000 to 44,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-2614 or visit wwwl.musicalryukendo.co.kr.