Jonathan Roxmouth to unveil personal side at concert
Jonathan Roxmouth will hold his first concerts in Korea at the Lotte Concert Hall, Jan. 2 and 3. / Courtesy of Onyx Entertainment
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Jonathan Roxmouth, the South African musical actor who captivated Korean theatergoers with his breathtaking portrayal of the Phantom in "The Phantom of the Opera," returns to Seoul despite the pandemic to hold his first-ever solo concerts here.
Roxmouth was announced to take on the role in October 2019 and toured three cities Busan, Seoul and Daegu, delivering the tale of the masked figure living under the Paris Opera House and the innocent young soprano, Christine, who captures his heart, from December 2019 through September 2020.
While other productions of The Phantom around the world, including the Broadway production which holds the record for the longest-running show on Broadway, were shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Korea was the only place where the show still went on.
Through the difficult times, Roxmouth presented stellar performances every night, garnering a fan base here, which has led him to visit Korea again after taking part in the touring production of The Phantom in Taiwan.
The concerts will be held at the Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul on Jan. 2 and 3, accompanied with the Mostly Philharmonic Orchestra. The title, "Phantasm," is derived from the character Phantom and his amusement park Phantasma in The Phantom's sequel "Love Never Dies." Just like the mysterious yet charismatic character, Roxmouth will sure relive his representation of the Phantom at the concert, but he has a lot more in store.
The following are questions and answers from an e-mail interview with Roxmouth during his self-quarantine.
Q. What was your impression of Korea as you toured three cities starring in “The Phantom of the Opera,” one of the Korean's favorite musicals?
A. The overwhelming thing I realized is the dignity and pride of the Korean people. Their respect for the arts and acknowledgement of what it takes to do what we do was almost unparalleled in my touring experience. Aside from that, the cultural heritage and history is utterly beguiling. It is ancient and I find it absolutely fascinating. Lastly, and most importantly, the Korean cuisine is so delicious! I actually find the food more interesting and addictive the longer I stay in Korea.
Q. What made you to come back and hold solo concerts in Korea despite these difficult times?
A. I was contacted by visionary producer Jayine Chung of Onyx Entertainment after I expressed an interest in doing a concert when a fan suggested it during one of my Instagram Lives at the Blue Square Theater. We met and had an instant rapport as well as a love for Phantom and musical theater. Since I adore Korea, the idea of returning so soon was irresistible.
Yes, COVID-19 has made things difficult but we need the arts now more than ever. The concept of performing my favorite music with a full orchestra in one of my favorite new countries was absolutely what I wanted to do. And here I am!
Q. How do you spend your time during self-quarantine?
A. I am adding the finishing touches to the 24 songs I have arranged for our sensational orchestra. I find quarantine is the perfect time to focus and reflect on how you are really doing mentally, emotionally and physically. I have caught up on a lot of rest and feel supercharged to get onto the stage of the Lotte Concert Hall to sing my heart out.
Q. What would be the biggest difference between performing as a musical actor on stage and as a singer in a concert?
A. The biggest difference is that I am not portraying a character in my concert. I am being myself and that is very exposing to be so vulnerable. But, in my experience, that is where the magic of these special events lies. The audience connects on a deeply personal level. They get to know Jonathan the person and not Jonathan the performer. I am happiest when I am surrounded by music. Adding an audience to share that joy is absolute bliss.
Jonathan Roxmouth as the Phantom and Claire Lyon as Christine in the musical "Phantom of the Opera" / Courtesy of S&CO
Q. People might expect to hear more Phantom songs from you, but you chose to sing a wide variety of songs instead. Please elaborate on how you created the set list for the Seoul concert.
A. Whilst I totally understand the expectation, I think it's important for an artist to expand on the expectation an audience has. Yes, they will get songs from Phantom and Love Never Dies but there is so much more to me than Phantom. I am proud to be the Phantom but I want to share even more with the audience.
These are songs that mean something to me. They either come from shows I have done like “Chicago,” “Evita” and “Cats” or they are from shows I would love to perform in one day like “Jekyll & Hyde,” “Chess” and “Les Miserables.” Each tells a story about me that the audience can discover.
Q. Is there any song you specifically added for Korea or you will be performing in the public for the first time?
A. There are certainly numbers added for Korea, most notably “This is the Moment,” “In Her Eyes “and “Someone like You” all from Jekyll & Hyde. I share Korean fans' love for the show and adore singing Frank Wildhorn's music.
Having conversed with fans during Phantom, I realized that the general knowledge of musical theater in Korea is much higher than what I am used to and so felt that I could branch out and sing songs that I have never been able to before. These include “Defying Gravity” from Wicked, “Journey to the Past” from Anastasia and Never Enough from The Greatest Showman.
Q. Why did you include songs sung by female characters such as Defying Gravity and Memory?
A. Simply put: audiences don't expect that and you can really surprise them with a fresh version that they can't compare to others. It shows the brilliance of the songs themselves that gender doesn't really matter. The stories they tell are universal and powerful and I can't wait to perform them.
Q. How would you recollect the year 2020? And what do you expect to bring in 2021 with your New Year concert?
A. 2020 is the year of unexpected gratitude. Realizing what we have to lose is something that wakes a person up. Coronavirus has robbed the world of so much but we are still here, fighting. It's been a personal reminder of what I am made of and who I am.
I expect to enter 2021 with a perspective on life and how I want to live it as well as a renewed respect for my health and wellbeing ― mental and physical. The concert will be a celebration of having survived this cruel virus. It will also be an opportunity for people to experience the magical wellness that music can bring. The concert is almost a reminder to the virus that we are stronger than it is.
Q. What is your plan in the near future?
A. My plan involves Phantom in more exotic and exciting countries. I am not done with the mask just yet.
I have just released my two new albums: “Phantasm,” the music of Phantom and Love Never Dies, and “SWINGLE BELLS!” a collection of Christmas swing music in collaboration with the Johannesburg Big Band. As for more albums, I am going to focus on nurturing these two new releases first. It has been a massive job so far. Aside from that, I would love to do more concerts!
Q. Though you already played one of the most coveted roles among actors, do you have any dream role or ultimate goal as an actor?
A. I would like to think that there could be a role out there that will be written especially for me in a brand new musical. That would be such a gift and the process would be brand new.
Q. Theaters were one of the firsts to close down during the pandemic lockdown. As a performing artist, what do you think about what art can bring to people in these hard times?
A. I think people need to be reminded of what art means to them and just how important it is to us as human beings. Music, dance, acting, creation ― these are life for us in dark times. Sometimes we need a reminder that our hearts are still working and that our joy is limitless when we listen to a song or hear a piece of music that moves us.