AROUND TOWN 1

‘SAC 11am Concert’

Seoul Arts Center*

Through Dec. 8

On every second Thursday of each month, an “11am Concert” will be staged at the Seoul Arts Center. Chong Park will host performances with commentary, and coffee will be provided for free. With distinct soloists for each concert, the Korean Symphony Orchestra will perform at all of the concerts.

Tickets cost 20,000 to 25,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300 or visit www.sac.or.kr.

‘Curlew River’

Sejong M Theater

July 28-31

Sejong Center presents the world-renowned opera “Curlew River” at Sejong M Theater July 28-31. / Courtesy of Sejong Center for Performing Arts

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts presents world-renowned opera “Curlew River” at Sejong M Theater from July 28 to 31.

Benjamin Britten’s Curlew River is the first of his three Church Parables, which was composed after his tour of the Orient in the 1950s. During the trip, he was heavily inspired by different musical and theatrical worlds of Japanese Noh drama and medieval church opera, which led him to create music of extraordinary originality.

Curlew River’s story begins with people gathered to mourn for a boy who died while traveling as the slave of a foreigner, displaying an emotionally resonant parable of grief and loss.

Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1783 or visit www.sejongpac.or.kr.

‘Wicked’

Seoul Arts Center

July 12-August 28

The musical “Wicked” will be staged at Seoul Arts Center July 12 — Aug. 28. / Courtesy of Wicked Korea

“Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz” returns to the stage with a new cast in July, following its 2013 Korean premiere.

Based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel “Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” it tells the story of two witches— Elphaba and Glinda. Elphaba is a green-skinned witch who is often alienated and Glinda is a popular blonde witch. Veteran actress Cha Ji-yeon is sharing the role of Elphaba with actress Park Hye-na, while Jeong Sun-ah will share the role of Glinda with Ivy. With its spectacular fantasy storyline, “Wicked” shows life-changing friendships while growing up.

Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363 or visit www.wickedthemusical.co.kr

‘Notre Dame de Paris’

Blue Square Samsung Electronics Hall

Through August 21

A French musical “Notre Dame de Paris” based on the well-known novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” will be held at Blue Square Samsung Electronics Hall from June 16 to August 21.

With its beautiful numbers including “Le Temps des Cathedrals,” “Belle” and “Vivre,” the musical Notre Dame de Paris has drawn a vast number of audiences all over the world. Following the premiere in 2008, this year’s Korean licensed performance will have Hong Kwang-ho, K-Will and Moon Jong-won playing Quasimodo and Yoon Gong-ju, Lina and Jeon Na-young playing Esmeralda.

Tickets cost 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, call (02) 541-6236 or visit www.ticket.interpark.com.

Lee Seung-chul

Olympic Park

July 1 and 2

One of Korea’s best known pop artists, Lee Seung-chul will celebrate 30 years in entertainment by holding concerts on July 1 and 2 at Olympic Park Gymnastics Arena.

Lee was the main vocalist of Boowhal until leaving the band in 1989, when he released his first solo album, “Don’t Say Good-Bye.” His concerts in July will feature his latest songs as well as the songs from his time in Boowhal.

Tickets cost 55,000 to 154,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.ticket.interpark.com.

2016 Jisan Valley Rock Festival

Jisan Resort

July 22-24

The Jisan Valley Rock Festival, a three-day annual event will be held at Jisan Resort from July 22 to 24. The festival is one of the nation’s biggest and most anticipated summer music events, featuring a great number of international and local musicians.

This year’s festival will host the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stereophonics, Tegan and Sara, Kim Chang-wan, Birdy, Biffy Clyro, Travis, Kula Shaker, Guckkasten, and Jang Bum-joon.

A one-day ticket costs 136,000 won. For more information, call (02) 446-2690 or visit www.valleyrockfestival.mnet.com

Sara Brightman

July 24

World-renowned vocalist Sarah Brightman will have a Gala with Orchestra tour in three major cities of Korea from July 24 to 27.

She will start with a concert in Seoul at the Olympic Park on July 24 and will perform in Daegu and Gwangju, respectively. All three concerts will be accompanied by a full orchestra consisted of 60 members. The program for her tour includes “Time to Say Goodbye,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Nella Fantasia” and “Ave Maria.”

Tickets cost from 110,000 to 220,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.ticket.interpark.com.

‘Kill Me Now’

Chungmu Art Hall

Through July 3

Brad Fraser’s “Kill Me Now” will have its Korean premiere on May 1 at Chungmu Art Hall.

“Kill Me Now” is a black comedy about widower Jake Sturdy who has sacrificed his career as a writer to care for his teenage son Joey. The story begins as Jake encounters an uncomfortable scene while bathing his disabled son. By confronting questions of sexuality, privacy and emotional autonomy, Fraser lays out the bittersweet drama of an unconventional family.

The cast includes Lee Suk-joon, Bae Soo-bin, Yoon Namu, Oh Jong-hyuk and Moon Sung-il. Lee and Bae alternate in the role of Jake, and Yoon and Oh for Joey.

Tickets cost 40,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 766-6007 or visit www.ticket.interpark.com.

‘Edgar Allan Poe’

Kwanglim Arts Center

Through July 24

A musical inspired by the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe will premiere on May 26 at Kwanglim Arts Center’s BBCH Hall. Written by songwriter Eric Woolfson, “Edgar Allan Poe” had its world premiere in Germany in 2009. The musical exposes the lesser-known details of Poe’s remarkable life, from his tough childhood to the gloomy days of his life as a poet and a novelist. For the Korean rendition, Michael Lee, Choi Jae-lim and Kim Dong-wan of Shinhwa will alternate for the main role of Poe. Choi Soo-young, Jung Sang-yoon, Yoon Hyung-ryul and Jang Eun-ah also star.

Tickets cost 60,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363 or visit www.ticket.interpark.com.

‘Mozart!’

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts

Through August 7

Musical “Mozart!” will be staged at Sejong Grand Theater from June 10 to August 7.

An Austrian musical, ‘Mozart!’ was originally written in German by Michael Kunze, with the music and arrangement by Sylvester Levay. The musical revolves around the central figure Mozart, revealing his struggles as a musician and a man.

Lee Jee-hoon, Jeon Dong-suk and Cho Gyu-hyun will play the main role of Wolfgang Mozart, Sophie Kim and Nan-A will be Constanze Weber, and Shin Young-sook and Kim So-hyun will be Baronin Von Waldstatten. Min Young-ki, Kim Jun-hyun, Lee Jung-yeol and Yoon Young-seok also star.

Tickets cost 50,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1577-6478 or visit www.musicalmozart.co.kr.

Bare the Musical

Doosan Art Center

Through September 4

“Bare the Musical” will be staged again at Doosan Art Center following its 2015 Korean premiere.

The musical is about two teen boys, Peter and Jason, who are secretly in love with each other while attending a conservative Catholic high school. Jung Won-young, Song Seung-won and Park Kang-hyun share the role of Peter, and Kim Seung-dae, Sung Doo-seop and Seo Kyung-soo play Jason. Choi Seo-yeon and Min Kyung-ah also star as Ivy.

Tickets cost 66,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, call (02) 556-5910 or visit www.ticket.interpark.com.

Hamlet the Play

Chungmu Art Center

From August 2 through October 16

William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” will be staged at Chungmu Art Center Aug. 2 — Oct. 16. / Courtesy of The Best Play Inc.

One of the most famous dramas of all time, William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” will be staged at Chungmu Art Center from August 2 to October 16.

It will follow the plot of the original work: Prince Hamlet learns that his father has died and his mother has remarried his uncle Claudius who is now the king. The ghost of Hamlet’s father appears and tells his son that he was murdered by Claudius, so Hamlet vows vengeance. Hamlet the Play is planned to include a few additional characters, in order to make the tragic story of Hamlet more dreadful. Kim Kang-woo, Kim Dong-won will play the title role of Hamlet, and Lee Kahp-sun and Kim Dae-ryung will play Claudius.

For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.thebestplay.co.kr.

Chang Mu International Performing Arts Festival

Arko Arts Theater, Daehakro Arts Theater

Through July 10

The 22nd Chang Mu Interntional Performing Arts Festival will be held from June 29 to July 10 at Arko Arts Theater and Daehakro Arts Theater.

The festival will be hosting a series of dance performances from around the world, beginning with opening sets by the SAI Trio from Spain. The festival will also feature the Legend Lin Dance Theater from Taiwan, Organworks Production and Twiggz Fam from Japan, and Lingbo Dance Theater from China.

Tickets cost 20,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3668-0007 or visit www.changmu.co.kr.

Club Octagon

Nonhyeon

Near the New Hilltop Hotel in Nonhyeon, this club is notable for its stylish interior and elite clientele. The club offers a stage, lounge bar and dining area to satisfy any night out after work or on the weekend. It is near exit 4 of Hakdong Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 516-8847.

Club Globe Lounge

Itaewon

Club Globe Lounge is famous among women looking for a place to throw birthday parties or enjoy a light dinner. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., it serves as a bar, changing into a club after 10 p.m. Every Thursday, Club Globe Lounge has a Happy Hour buffet for guests. Club Globe Lounge is located near the Hamilton Hotel by exit 2 of Itaewon Station, subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 792-1127 or visit globeloungekr.com.

Club Evans

Hongik University

Club Evans is a live jazz club that has served as a platform for emerging jazz artists for a decade. It operates jazz recording studios and a jazz academy as well, producing albums for many local jazz artists. Club Evans provides jazz concerts and leads music sessions every Monday and Tuesday. Club Evans is located near exit 1 of Sangsu Station, subway line 6. It opens at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call (02) 337-8361 or visit www.clubevans.com.

Once in a Blue Moon

Apgujeong

Once in a Blue Moon is one of the best-known and well-established jazz clubs in the city. It features live jazz sets from two different bands every night, usually starting at 7:30 p.m. It is located between the Hakdong Intersection and Galleria Department Store in the posh district of Apgujeong. For more information, call (02) 549-5490 or visitwww.onceinabluemoon.co.kr.

Club Answer

Cheongdam

Club Answer, chosen as one of the five hottest clubs in Seoul by CNN, provides a spacious interior and brilliant lighting system with entertaining DJs on stage nightly. Club Answer is in the classy area of Cheongdam, a district known to lead the party culture of Seoul. It is located near exit 13 of Cheongdam Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 514-4311 or visit www.clubanswer.co.kr.

Club Double Eight

Sinsa

Opened in 2010, Club Double Eight takes clubbing to its heights. Located in Gangnam, it provides diverse hotel promotions and features weekend lineups with exuberant DJs. It is located near exit 1 of Sinsa Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 543-8803 or visit cafe.naver.com/doubleeight.