HIGHLIGHTS

Theater

“Mr. Show”: From the mind of renowned musical director Kolleen Park, the naughty male striptease show “Mr. Show” is returning to the stage this summer. The women-audience-only variety show features fit, sexy men who dance and perform various themed acts that are especially geared toward tantalizing their female patrons. The 19-and-older live show will be staged from May 29 to June 28 at the Lotte Card Art Center in Seoul. Tickets are listed at 60,000 won and 80,000 won. For more details, visit www.mrshow.co.kr.

“Hero”: A revival production of “Hero,” an original Korean musical based on the life of patriot Ahn Jung-geun (1879-1910), is being staged at Blue Square in Seoul’s Itaewon from April 14 to May 31. Veteran actor Jung Sung-hwa, who won both public and critical acclaim for his performance in the original production in 2009, returns as the colonial-era national hero, sharing the role with Min Young-ki and Kang Tai-eul. Ticket prices start at 60,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1544-1555 or visit www.iacom.co.kr.

“On a Blue Day”: Directed by renowned playwright Ko Seon-woong, the play tells the story of a young couple against the harrowing backdrop of the Gwangju Uprising in May 1980, and depicts the pain of living through the aftermath. The original cast will put on their last performance of the heartwarming play, which first raised its curtain in 2011. “On a Blue Day” runs from April 29 to May 31 at the Namsan Arts Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. Ticket prices are 30,000 won. For more information, call (02) 577-1987.

“Slava’s Snowshow”: Russian performance artist Slava Polunin’s award-winning mime will be performed at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul from May 14-30. First premiered in 1993 in Russia, the show is famous for its spectacular last scene of a man-made snowstorm sweeping through the stage. Ticket prices range from 40,000 won to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com.

“Crazy Horse Paris”: “Crazy Horse Paris” is one of France’s most iconic live burlesque performances, attracting more than 15 million people worldwide over the past six decades. In celebration of the Paris-born show’s 65th anniversary this year, “Crazy Horse Paris” will be premiering not only in Seoul for the first time, but for the first time in all of Asia. The cabaret will run twice daily from Monday to Saturday until June 30 at the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel’s Walkerhill Theater in Gwangjang-dong, Seoul. Tickets range from 77,000 won to 220,000 won and can be purchased exclusively at www.crazyhorseparisinseoul.com.

“Phantom”: An American musical based on Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel “Phantom of the Opera” is getting a Korean premiere in April, with singer Park Hyo-shin and international soprano Im Sun-hae in the lead roles. Produced by Seoul-based EMK Musical Company, the Korean rendition of “Phantom” will kick off on April 28 at Chungmu Art Hall in Seoul. It will continue through Aug. 2. Tickets cost 50,000 won to 140,000 won. For details, call (02) 577-6478.

“Dreamgirls”: Korea-U.S. joint production musical “Dreamgirls” is back for its second run in Seoul since 2009. The musical has been adjusted from the original 1981 Broadway version to include famous melodies such as “Listen,” which was also in the 2006 eponymous cinema hit starring Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Hudson. It is the story of a young African-American singing trio in the 1960s who reach stardom and overcome obstacles. “Dreamgirls” runs through May 25 at the Charlotte Theater in Seoul. Tickets range from 60,000 won to 14,000 won. For more information, call 1588-5212.

“Death Note”: A new musical based on the Japanese cartoon and film series of the same title, “Death Note” will open in Seoul in June, two months after its world premiere in Japan. The Korean rendition will star the country’s top-notch musical actors Hong Kwang-ho and Kim Jun-su. The music is composed by Frank Wildhorn (“Jekyll and Hyde”), with the book and lyrics by Ivan Menchell (“Bonnie and Clyde”) and Jack Murphy (“Monte Cristo”). “Death Note” will be staged from June 20-Aug. 9 at the Seongnam Arts Center Opera House. For inquiries, call (02) 1577-3363.

“Chicago ― Original Cast”: The original Broadway cast for “Chicago” ― the longest-running American musical in Broadway history ― will be making its way back to Seoul this summer. The six-time Tony Award winner is a dynamic tale of passion, lust and murder amid the backdrop of 1920s Chicago in the roaring jazz music era. The upcoming production will feature cast members from the U.S. Tour Company and will be held at the National Theater of Korea from June 20 to Aug. 8. Ticket prices range from 40,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555.

“Elisabeth”: The local reinterpretation of the original Viennese musical “Elisabeth” will be returning to the musical stage, with popular K-pop star Se7en taking on his debut musical role as “death” or “der tod.” All eyes are on the K-pop star as he will be filling in the shoes of mega hallyu star Kim Jun-su of JYJ, who was previously cast in the same role during the show’s 2012-2013 run. The musical tells the tale of an Austrian empress and her growing obsession with death as her life progresses. The musical will be held from June 13 to Sept. 6 at the Blue Square in Hannam-dong, Seoul. Ticket prices range from 60,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information call, (02) 6391-6333.

Exhibitions 

“Kwak Duck-jun: Timeless”: Gallery Hyundai presents a solo exhibition of Korean-Japanese artist Kwak Duck-jun until May 31. Held for the first time in a decade in Korea, the exhibition showcases works using diverse mediums such as photographs, installations and videos. The exhibition guides viewers through the life struggles of the 78-year-old artist to find his true identity living as a foreigner in Japan through 30 works of art made in 1970-80. For more information, call (02) 2287-3500.

“Interplay”: The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art presents site-specific art project “Interplay.” The exhibition presents installations of four international artists Ross Manning, Jinnie Seo, Shinji Ohmaki and avaf. The four artists transform white cube exhibition rooms into works of art with which viewers can interact. Japanese artist Ohmaki’s installation of strings, fabrics and bubbles creates a meditative experience inspired by Zen Buddhism. Manning installed a kinetic installation using light and sound that allows viewers to experience a unique sense of space. The exhibition runs through Aug. 23 at the Seoul museum of the MMCA in Samcheong-ro. For more information, call (02) 3701-9500.

Special Exhibition of Donated Works ― Jung Tak-young: The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea is holding an exhibition of the late Korean abstract artist Jung Tak-young, known for his abstract ink paintings, at its Deoksugung Palace branch museum until June 28. The exhibition offers an insight into Jung’s lifetime endeavor to combine traditional Korean painting practices and aesthetics with abstract expression. It displays some 140 works, spanning 40 years of Jung’s artistic career, such as sketches, drawings, ink paintings and metalwork. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 2022-0600.

Mark Rothko: The first large-scale retrospective of American abstract artist Mark Rothko is being held at Hangaram Art Museum of Seoul Arts Center until June 28. The exhibition features 50 oil paintings, covering about 60 years of Rothko’s endeavor to create art that inspires emotions in its audience. The artworks, on loan from the National Gallery of Art in the U.S., range from earlier works featuring street scenes and subway scenes of the 1930s to the red painting he made just before he committed suicide in 1970. Tickets are 15,000 won for adults, 10,000 won for teenagers and 8,000 won for children. The museum closes on the last Monday of every month. For more information, call (02) 532-4407.

“Tracing Shadows”: Plateau, Samsung Museum of Art, presents an exhibition of 12 artists with unique subjects and painting styles. The exhibition attempts to examine the traditional art medium of painting in today’s contemporary art world dominated by installations and media art. Participating artists include those in their late 30s to early 40s from diverse backgrounds such as Korea, the U.K., the U.S., China, Poland and Romania. Highlights include the latest works by young American painter Hernan Bas, referenced from literature, art history and pop culture, and scenes of everyday life in Romania by Serban Savu. The exhibition runs through June 7. For more information, visit www.plateau.or.kr.

Dance

“The Seventh Symphony & The Rite of Spring”: The Korean National Ballet is bringing back its dueling dance production of Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” and Uwe Scholz’s “Seventh Symphony.” The production will fuse together the company’s dance interpretation for Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and the original choreography of “The Rite of Spring.” KNB’s upcoming performance will be staged from May 29-31 at the National Theater of Korea. Tickets range from 5,000 won to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“Club Salome”: “Club Salome,” a dance drama bringing together different genres of dance such as ballet, modern dance and b-boying, will be on at Seeya the Project Box in Yongsan, Seoul, from May 22-25. “Club Salome” is an interpretation of “Salome,” a tragic play written by Oscar Wilde, renowned Irish playwright, novelist and poet of the 19th century. The performance will mix elements of musical and theater through music and the human form. It is directed by acclaimed director Lee Gina and choreographed by modern dancer Lee Yong-woo, who is currently appearing as a judge on the Mnet dance survival show, “Dancing 9.” The score is composed by Jung Jae-il, a musician who is known for blending traditional Korean gugak music and Western classical music in his work. All seats are priced at 40,000 won, which includes a complimentary cocktail beverage. Tickets can be purchased at ticket.interpark.com. For inquiries, call Wooran Foundation at (02) 796-7704.

“Rage”: The Seoul Ballet Theatre is gearing up for its upcoming modern dance production of “Rage” in celebration of the company’s 20th anniversary. The show was choreographed by SBT artistic director James Jeon. The 70-minute, no-intermission action-packed modern dance piece stemmed from the director’s own personal anger toward the political state of the country. “Rage” will be staged on June 5 and 6 at the LG Arts Center, with ticket prices ranging from 30,000 won to 70,000 won. For more information, visit www.ballet.or.kr.

“Amore Amore Mio”: Well known as a satirical and cynical dancer, Jeon Mi-sook will present the ballet performance “Amore Amore Mio” in Seoul, directing questions to the audience about the virtue of love, with a convoy of talented Korean dancers. The 70-minute show deals with vulnerability, detachedness, hesitation and many intertwined emotions that love and our lives inevitably brings to us, through a not so passionate but bold performance. “Amore Amore Mio” will be staged at the Arts Council Korea ― Performing Arts Center from June 5-7. Ticket prices range from 20,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, visit www.interpark.com.

“Giselle”: Following the Korean National Ballet’s season opener of “Giselle,” the Korea Universal Ballet Theatre will also stage its own rendition of the ballet world’s most classic and beloved tales of love and heartbreak. The ballet is a tale of an emotionally and physically fragile village girl who falls hopelessly in love with her prince charming, but her world shatters when she finds that she was not the only woman in her man’s life. The Universal Ballet Company’s production of “Giselle” will be held at the Seoul Arts Center from June 13-17. For more information, visit www.universalballet.com.

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