By Kwon Mee-yoo
Children’s Day falls on Thursday this year. Various cultural events from musicals to educational exhibitions await families who want to celebrate with a cultural outing.
The 32nd Seoul Theater Festival is putting on the play “Ophelia’s Shadow Theater” at the main hall of Daehangno Arts Center, from Wednesday to Sunday.
Based on Michael Ende’s novel of the same name, the drama unfolds around an old lady named Ophelia, who wants to be an actress but cannot due to her small voice. One day the theater goes out of business and she finds shadows without owners and teaches them to act. When Ophelia and her troupe are kicked out of the village, they go on a tour performing a shadow play.
Beautifully combining shadow play and projection, children can see the workings of a theater and how the actors stage a play.
Tickets range from 20,000 to 30,000 won. Call (02) 747-2250 for more information.
The classic “The Wizard of Oz,” will be staged at the Universal Arts Center in eastern Seoul through May 29.
The famed children’s novel by L. Frank Baum tells a story of a girl named Dorothy from Kansas, who is accidentally transported to the Land of Oz and her adventures to get back home with the friends she meets along the way — the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman and Cowardly Lion.
Various special effects and flying techniques are employed to transport the audience between reality and the fantasy of the magical world of Oz.
Tickets cost 33,000 to 77,000 won. Call (02) 517-6334 for more information.
Classical experience
Timeless classical music also awaits families wishing to enhance their artistic sensibilities.
The Seoul Arts Center presents “2011 SAC Kids Concert with Kim Ji-ho” on Thursday at the art center’s concert hall.
The Gangnam Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Year Ja-kyung, will play Camille Saint-Saens’ “The Carnival of the Animals” and numbers from Giacomo Puccini’s opera “Turandot” including “Ola, Pang!” and “Nessun Dorma.”
Actress Kim Ji-ho, also a mother of an elementary school student, will explain the background of the numbers and narrate the story of “Turandot.”
Tickets cost from 10,000 to 30,000 won. Call (02) 580-1300 for more information.
“Barbie at the Symphony” combines the all-time favorite doll and a classical concert at the Grand Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on May 15.
The concert presents classical numbers featured in the “Barbie Princess” animation series including Tchaikovsky’s music from “Swan Lake” and “The Nutcracker,” Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 6” and Mendelssohn’s “Symphony No. 4.”
The Barbie on screen dances to the music played by the Ditto Orchestra and sometimes speaks to the conductor and music director Arnie Roth as she talks about the composer and the musical instruments.
Tickets cost from 30,000 won to 80,000 won. Call 1577-5266 for more information.
The National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea offers free admission from Thursday to May 10, to bring children one step closer to modern art.
On May 5th, the “Classic in Masterpiece” concert blends classical music and masterpieces, while introducing descriptions of their origins at the Gwacheon Auditorium.
“Improvisatory Ensemble” is held on Saturday in the lobby of the Deoksu Palace annex, featuring seven musicians playing different scores. Audiences can participate in the concert as part of a chorus.
The “Kim Chong-hak Retrospective,” “New Acquisitions 2010” and “Moon Rabbit” exhibitions are being held at the Gwacheon main building, while the Deoksu Palace annex features the “Abstract It!” exhibition.
Visit www.moca.go.kr/eng for more information.
There are no “Don’t Touch” signs at the “Museum Safari” exhibition ongoing at the Cube Gallery of Seongnam Arts Center, south of Seoul.
The exhibit displays a variety of animal-themed paintings, interactive media art, photos and even displays of real-size dolls from Hansa Toy, an international plush toy company.
Children can view Henri Rousseau’s fantastic animals as well as the elephant and stag sculptures of Moon Byeong-doo along with Kang Min-young’s paintings.
Admission is 10,000 won for adults and 15,000 won for children. Call (031) 783-8142 for more information.