2024-03-26 01:49:46
Crime novels, letters, ballet and our traditional music.
Musicals created with novel materials meet the audience. It illuminates human existence and life through the intensity of running toward the truth, the irony of unintentional events leading to comfort, the passion for art, and the inner thoughts expressed through music.
Musical ‘If I Were You’
A desperate and intense search for crime and revenge
Gyeongseong, 1945. Lee Soo-hyun, a famous novelist who wrote a series of novels based on real-life murder cases, is supposed to write his twelfth and final novel, but falls into a slump. Kang In-ho, an aspiring writer, appears before him and encourages him to write a novel based on his own ideas. Lee Soo-hyun, who sets out to write his last novel, and Kang In-ho, who tracks down the criminal to avenge his younger brother. The truth surrounding the two begins to gradually be revealed… . It is an original musical currently being performed.
The stage with just two actors increases tension and immersion with a fast-paced story and powerful music. It raises serious questions about who can determine the weight of sin and what the meaning of revenge is. The role of Lee Soo-hyun was played by Oh Jong-hyuk, Won-young Won-young, and Baek In-tae. Kang In-ho is played by Hwang Min-soo, Won Tae-min, Jo Seong-tae, and Cha Gyu-min. Director Jeong Chan-soo, who wrote the play, said, “People forget many things when they see the provocative side of the crime rather than the essence of it,” and added, “We tried to reveal forgotten entities and explore the essence of sin.” Until June 1, Yes24 Stage 3, Daehakro, Seoul.
Musical ‘Dear Evan Hanson’
Unexpected comfort from a letter you wrote to yourself
It warmly depicts the sudden situation experienced by Evan Hanson, a lonely boy who writes letters to himself every day and dreams of a wonderful day where he can act like himself. The numbers created by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who composed the music for ‘La La Land’ and ‘The Greatest Showman,’ are evaluated as instantly captivating the audience. It was performed on Broadway in New York, USA in 2017, and won six Tony Awards that year, including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Composition. It will be performed at the Chungmu Arts Center Grand Theater in Seoul from March 28 to June 23. This is the first performance in Asia.
Evan loses the letter he wrote to him to Connor, whom he meets by chance one day. A few days later, she learns that Connor has suddenly died. Connor’s parents, who misunderstood Evan’s letter as Connor’s will, ask Evan to share his memories with their son. Evan can’t bear to reveal the truth… . The role of Evan was played by Kim Seong-gyu, Park Kang-hyeon, and Lim Gyu-hyung. Sunyoung Kim and Youngsook Shin play Evan’s mother, Heidi Hanson. The two experienced actors portray Heidi, who works as a nurse during the day, attends law school at night, and raises her son alone, in a heavy yet profound way.
Musical ‘Diaghilev’
Fierce struggle and obsession for creation
It depicts the life of Diaghilev, a Russian producer who established modern ballet by founding the Ballets Russes in Paris, France in the 1900s. The process by which four artists, including Benoit, the ballet company’s chief designer, Nijinsky, a ballerina known as the ‘god of dance’, and Stravinsky, a genius composer, exchange inspiration, but also clash and clash, creating Ballets Russes’ masterpieces ‘Petrushka’ and ‘The Rite of Spring’. shows. Diaghilev, oppressed by his father during his childhood, is comforted and drawn to Nijinsky’s dance. The four characters, including Nijinsky, who is faithful to his instincts and is delicate, Benoit, who takes the center stage of the ballet troupe with realistic judgment, and Stravinsky, who is humorous but sensitive to music, exude a passion for art in different colors. The stage that presents flexible dance moves is also attractive.
The role of Diaghilev was played by Kim Jong-gu, Cho Seong-yoon, and Ahn Jae-young. Benoit is played by Kang Jeong-woo, Kim Yi-dam, and Park Sang-jun, and Nijinsky is played by Han Seon-cheon, Lee Yun-yeong, and Yoon Cheol-ju. The role of Stravinsky was played by Chris Young, Kim Do-hoo, and Kim Jae-han. This is an original musical that premiered in 2022, and this is the second performance. Until June 9th, Yes24 Art One Hall 1, Daehakro, Seoul.
Musical ‘Romantic Star Song’
My story told through music
Based on the record that King Sejong (Lee Do) enjoyed playing musical instruments before his accession to the throne, it depicts the process of the young man Lee Do, Park Yeon, who laid the foundation for Joseon music, and the fictional characters Yesung and Dongrae sharing their hearts through music.
Lee Jong-seok, Ban Jeong-mo, and Kim Woo-seong play the role of Lee Do, who hides his identity and enters Yiwon, the predecessor of Jangakwon, a music institution during the Joseon Dynasty. Park Yeon, who manages the musicians at Iwon, is played by Park Yoo-deok and Jang Min-soo. Jeon Ha-yeong and Park Joo-eun appear on stage as Yesung, who disguises herself as a man and becomes Lee Won’s musician to avenge her father. Hwang Doo-hyeon and Jeong Ji-woo played the role of Dong-rae, who came from low-income families and came to Yiwon. They enter a training camp to prepare for the King’s Birthday celebration… .
Regardless of their status, gender, or age, they communicate through music, and their own stories, told through the performance of gayageum, daegeum, haegeum, and flute, are harmonized with sweet melodies. This original musical is being premiered and is receiving a good response for its fresh material and well-structured composition. Until June 9th, Yes24 Art One Hall 2, Daehakro, Seoul.
Reporter Son Hyo-rim aryssong@donga.com
2024-03-26 01:49:46