Musical stars celebrate Webber's birthday

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Andrew Lloyd Webber is the world's most commercially successful theater composer and he has had a significant impact on Korean musical theater as well.

In 2001, a Korean production of “The Phantom of the Opera” set an epoch-making record, attracting over 240,000 viewers during the seven-month run making over 12 billion won. Its unexpected success fueled explosive growth of Korean theater and many of Webber's shows such as “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Cats” and “Evita” were staged in Korea with success.

The composer celebrated his 70th birthday on March 22 with the release of his memoir “Unmasked” and music collection “Unmasked: the Platinum Collection” and a series of concerts across the globe. Korea has joined the festivities with “A Celebration of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Korea” concert from May 2 to 6.

To celebrate the mastermind behind these great musicals, Ramin Karimloo, who played the Phantom in “The Phantom of the Opera” in London's West End and originated the lead role in its sequel “Love Never Dies,” and Anna O'Byrne, who played Christine Daae of “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Love Never Dies” in Australia and London, has flown to Seoul.

On Wednesday, Karimloo and O'Byrne joined Korean musical actors and winners of the talent show “Phantom Singer” and performed Webber's hit songs such as “Superstar” from Jesus Christ Superstar, “Don't Cry for Me, Argentina” from Evita, “Any Dream Will Do” from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and “Memory” from Cats and lesser known songs from “Sunset Boulevard” and “Whistle Down the Wind.”

Karimloo, who held concerts in Korea twice in 2013 and 2015, was excited to be back in Korea.

“The great thing about working in Korea is that the country has some of the best voices in the world. I wonder what's in the water here. I learned from them while watching and singing with them,” said Karimloo at an interview with The Korea Times, Thursday.

Karimloo's first Webber show was “Sunset Boulevard,” a 1993 musical based on the 1950 film of the same title.

“I was about 21 or 22. I had two days to learn the role of Artie Green and then put on the show. Soon after, I was given a week to learn another role, Joe Gillis, the male protagonist,” the actor said.

O'Byrne also has a long relationship with Webber's works, beginning her career as a musical actress as an understudy of Christine in “The Phantom of the Opera.”

“My favorite Webber musical would be 'Love Never Dies' as I was able to work closer with the composer, creating the show in Australia. It holds a special place in my heart,” O'Byrne said. “I continued to perform his music in London's 'The Phantom of the Opera' and the revival of 'The Woman in White.' I feel so blessed about his guidance in my career.”

From Friday to Sunday, they will perform “The Phantom of the Opera” concert, which will feature all songs from the timeless musical, minus sets, costumes and the iconic mask of the Phantom.

“Audiences will still be going to get the story since we will perform all songs from the production. However, it's not about us, but more about the show and celebrating Andrew's birthday. We are here as fans as well as actors,” Karimloo said. “You will realize that there still is something in the music even if the mask and costumes are taken away. It would be interesting for the audience to use their imagination and it is a fresh way to see something again.”

Though mostly well-known for his portrayal of the disfigured yet charismatic character, Karimloo has been keeping his distance from the Phantom for a while.

“I was in negotiations for another role in London when the proposal for this concert came to me. I promised my Korean fans I'd be back and it was the Phantom again,” the actor said. “But I then I thought it is a different concert version and I wanted to celebrate the occasion as a fan of the musical as I missed being the kid who went to see the Phantom. Also, performing with Anna was a path I never crossed before.”

O'Byrne said she decided to join the concert in a split second as soon as she heard Karimloo was attached to the project.

“I wanted to revisit the show with Ramin, who was so iconic,” she said.

As he returned to the role brought him fame, Karimloo rediscovered the joy of singing the beautiful music. “I thought I was finished with Phantom, but as I sing the songs again with Anna, I felt still passionate.” Karimloo said, hinting that he might return to the role when the time is right.

For O'Byrne, Webber is a true creator. “He is always thinking, creating and striving to break new ground. It is inspiring to be around him,” she said.

Karimloo did not say much about his friendship with the composer, keeping it private, but showed affection for the talent he worked with for a long time.

“My best memory of Andrew was having dinner with his family at a restaurant ― as a father, not a composer nor a lord,” he said. “I've done many Andrew shows and want to do more. Though I am more influenced by directors and actors I work with then Andrew himself, I just love being part of his show.”

The concert will run through Sunday. For more information, visit

www.sejongpac.or.kr

or call 02-399-1114.