2022 Dec. 21 Ticket

Red | The Nutcracker | Hero | Yuki Kuramoto and his Friends | Ailee | All Night Stand | Sarah Chang | New Year's Eve Concert | Cirque du Soleil: Alegria | Seoul Philharmonic New Year's Concert | Jesus Christ Superstar | Dracula: The Musical | Matilda

REDSeoul Arts Center, Jayu Small TheaterDec. 20 – Feb. 19, 2023:“Red” is a play by writer John Logan that tells the story of Mark Rothko, an American abstract expressionist artist. The play, which debuted in London’s Covent Garden in 2009, is a two-hander comprising a conversation between Rothko and his fictional assistant Ken.

It Is loosely based on a story from 1958 about Rothko being commissioned to produce several large murals that were to hang in The Four Seasons, a luxury restaurant in New York City, before suddenly breaking the contract after finishing about 40 paintings. The confrontation between Rothko, who represents the old generation, and Ken, illustrating the young, leads the audience to question life.

After debuting in London, the play moved to Broadway in 2010 and received six Tony Awards that year, including the honor for Best Play. It premiered in Korea in 2011.

Actors Jeong Bo-seok and Yoo Dong-geun alternate the role of Rothko while Kang Seung-ho and Yeon Jun-seok alternate the role of Ken.

Tickets range from 40,000 won ($30.70) to 70,000 won.

The play begins at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays; 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekends. There are no performances on Mondays.

Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5

THE NUTCRACKER*Korean National Ballet: Seoul Arts Center, Opera TheaterThrough Dec. 25: Local ballet companies are presenting their versions of “The Nutcracker” as the holiday season is nearing. Composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and first staged in 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia, the ballet has become a holiday tradition that has been performed around the world for the past 127 years.

The Korean National Ballet Is staging “The Nutcracker” choreographed by Yuri Grigorovich, who is considered a living legend in the ballet world. The Russian dancer and choreographer worked as the art director for Moscow’s Bolshoi Theater from 1964 to 1995.

What helps the Korean National Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” stand out among the rest is that a child will play the role of the nutcracker.

A lot of divertissements, or dance sequences, have been added to maximize the fun of watching the performance for the audience.

The performance will start at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekends.

There will be no performances on Mondays.

Ticket prices range from 5,000 won to 100,000 won.

Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5

Universal Ballet Company presents ″The Nutcracker″ at the Sejong Centers for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. [UBC]

*Universal Ballet:Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Dec. 22 – 31: The Universal Ballet is presenting “The Nutcracker,” choreographed by Vasili Vainonen from Mariinsky Theatre. The ballet company premiered the Christmas classic back in 1986 on home soil and has been staging the show every year since then.

Because “The Nutcracker” by Universal Ballet features budding performers, it is a good chance for audiences to learn more about young dancers. This year, the company will hold nine live orchestra performances, while the rest will be recorded versions. The live performances will only be held on weekends and on Dec. 24. Ticket prices vary.

The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Fridays; 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekends.

Ticket prices range from 20,000 won to 120,000 won.

Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 8

HEROLG Arts Center Seoul, LG Signature HallDec. 21 – Feb. 28, 2023:The Korean musical “Hero,” which centers on the life of Ahn Jung-geun, the Korean independence fighter who was executed in 1910 after assassinating Japanese Resident-General Ito Hirobumi, will be staged at the new LG Art Center Seoul in Magok, western Seoul.

The musical has recently been turned into a film by director Yoon Je-kyun.

The musical stars actor Jeong Seong-hwa who plays the lead character Ahn in the film as well. Musical actor Yang Jun-mo and Min Woo-hyuk will also alternate the role with Jeong.

The musical starts at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays; 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on weekends. There are no shows on Mondays.

Tickets range from 60,000 won to 150,000 won.

Magoknaru Station, line No. 9, exit 3 or 4

YUKI KURAMOTO AND HIS FRIENDSLotte Concert Hall Dec. 24:Japanese pianist Yuki Kuramoto will stage a playful performance for the upcoming Christmas. The pianist has been holding a concert every Christmas. Together with Ditto Orchestra, Kuramoto will play carols as well as some of his hit pieces such as “Dawn,” “Lake Louise,” “Romance,” “Meditation” and “I Suppose Flowers Will Fall Down.” The program also includes Ennio Morricone’s “Cinema Paradiso,” Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile,” and David Foster’s “Thankful.”

Tickets range from 55,000 won to 121,000 won.

The concert starts at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Jamsil Station, line No. 2, exit 1 or 2

AILEEKBS ArenaDec. 24:Singer Ailee is kicking off a tour across the country to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her debut.

She’ll be performing her hits since her debut in 2012, including her debut single “Heaven,” “I Will Show You” (2012) and “I Will Go to You Like the First Snow” (2017).

The concert begins at 6 p.m.

Tickets range from 110,000 won to 132,000 won. Download The Korea JoongAng Daily Mobile App

Balsan Station, line No. 5, exit 5

ALL NIGHT STANDOlympic Park, KSPO Dome

Singer and producer PSY [P NATION]

Dec. 22 – 24:Singer and producer PSY will entertain his fans this Christmas with a concert. The singer, known for holding “an unforgettable, never-ending concert” said through his label P Nation that the upcoming concert will be organized under the slogan, “A winter that’s hotter than summer.” As always, his concert will begin at 11:42 p.m. every night and there is no end time.

Tickets will go open at 8 p.m. on Dec. 6.

Olympic Park Station, line No. 5, exit 3

SARAH CHANGSeoul Arts Center, Concert HallDec. 27:Violinist Sarah Chang will tour across Korea this winter and stop at Seoul’s Seoul Arts Center on Dec. 27. The award-winning violinist will perform Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” as well as Vitali’s “Chaconne in g minor” and Bach’s “Concerto for Two Violins, BWV 1043.”

Having debuted at the age of 8 in 1990 with the New York Philharmonic led by conductor Zubin Mehta, Chang has been at the top of classical music for decades.

The upcoming concert will be accompanied by various musicians, including violinist Jang Yoo-jin, violist Lee Hannah, cellist Shim Joon-ho and double bassist Sung Min-je.

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.

Ticket prices range from 60,000 won to 170,000 won.

Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5.

NEW YEAR’S EVE CONCERTLotte Concert HallDec. 31: It’s that time of the year — time to celebrate the year’s end with great classical music. The Lotte Concert Hall in southern Seoul said it will go a step further this year by inviting dancers and a DJ for a “Hip and Hot” concert.

To the music of Pablo de Sarasate’s “Zigeunerweisen,” which will be performed by violinist Cho Jin-joo with Hankyung arte Philharmonic under the baton of maestro Choi Soo-yeoul, dancer Lip J will show off her signature waaking dance style. Tap dancer Oh Min-su will also dance to George Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm.” DJ Haihm is hosting the concert, showing off his skills on the deck.

The concert begins at 8 p.m.

Tickets range from 60,000 won to 120,000 won.

Jamsil Station, line No. 2, exit 1 or 2

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: ALEGRIA Jamsil Sports Complex, Big Top Arena Through Jan. 1, 2023: Cirque Du Soleil’s all-time classic Alegria has been reimagined for a new generation.

Titled “In A New Light Alegria,” the Canadian live entertainment group said it’s a new interpretation of the original concept, adding more bold creative alterations and more powerful acrobats to newly designed sets.

The troupe had struggled tremendously to keep its business running during the Covid-19 pandemic.

But with the subtitle, “The Intermission is Over,” the group has resumed its performance, and Seoul is its first city.

The show begins at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 12:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and at 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sundays. There are no shows on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Tickets range from 70,000 won to 290,000 won.

Sports Complex Station, line No. 2, exit 6 or 7

SEOUL PHILHARMONIC NEW YEAR’S CONCERTSejong Centers for the Performing Arts, Grand Theater

Seol Philharmonic Orchestra presents the New Year's concert on Jan. 1. [SPO]

Jan. 5:The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra is gearing up to present a New Year’s concert under the baton of maestro Gerrit Prießnitz. The concert is titled Waltzes and Polkas.”

The program includes Johann Strauss Jr.’s “Der Zigeunerbaron Overture,” “Pizzicato Polka,” “Kaiserwalzer - Walzer Op. 437,” “Im Sturmschritt – Polka schnell Op. 348,” “Auf der Jagd - Polka schnell Op. 373” and “Rosen aus dem Suden - Walzer Op. 388” as well as Josef Strauss's, “Brennende Liebe – Polka Mazur Op. 129,” “Polka Francaise Op. 57” and “Delirien Walzer Op. 212.”

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets cost 10,000 won.

Gwanghwamun Station, line No. 5, exit 8

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTARKwanglim Arts Center, BBCH HallThrough Jan. 15, 2023:The Korean production of the hit rock musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” written by renowned composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice in 1970 will be back next month with Michael Lee and Lim Tae-kyung starring as Jesus. The show is loosely based on the life of Jesus Christ and his relationships with the people around him during the weeks before his crucifixion.

Tickets range from 60,000 won to 150,000 won.

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on weekends and public holidays.

Apgujeong Station, line No. 3, exit 4

DRACULA: THE MUSICALOlympic Park, Woori Art HallThrough Jan. 15, 2023:Based on the 1897 novel “Dracula” by Irish author Bram Stoker, the musical revolves around Count Dracula who has been living alone for 400 years after losing the love of his life. One day Count Dracula falls in love with Mina Murray, the fiancée of a young lawyer named Jonathan Harker.

The Intertwined love story of the three — Count Dracula, Mina and Jonathan — unfolds against the backdrop of a Gothic castle.

The Korean production of the musical premiered locally in 1998. For the upcoming production, actor Ahn Jae-wook and singers Jung Dong-ha, Shin Seong-woo and Tei will alternate the role of Dracula.

Tickets range from 80,000 won to 150,000 won.

Tickets will go on sale on Oct. 17.

Olympic Park Station, line No. 5 and 9, exit 3

MATILDAD-Cube Arts Center Through Feb. 26, 2023:Based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 best-selling novel, this musical tells the story of a gifted young girl named Matilda who possesses telekinetic powers.

While dealing with her insensitive parents, Matilda befriends her school teacher, Miss Honey, and defends her friends from her evil principal Miss Trunchbull.

Four actors –bbLimHa-yoon, Jin Yeon-woo, Choi Eun-young and Ha Shin-bi – play Matilda.

The musical begins at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

There are no shows on Mondays.

Ticket prices range from 70,000 to 150,000 won.

Sindorim Station, lines No. 1 and 2, exit 1 or 5

SWEENEY TODDCharlotte TheaterThrough March 5, 2023: The musical thriller “Sweeney Todd” will be back next month. After its premiere on Broadway in 1979, it became the signature work of American composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. When the musical was first unveiled to the public, it was praised by critics. They wrote that “Sweeney Todd” took the musical from a form of entertainment to the realm of art. The musical was instantly dubbed a “sensational masterpiece” and took home eight awards, including Best Musical at the Tony Awards the year it premiered. The Korean production of the musical has been also loved by musical aficionados.

The upcoming production will feature Kang Pil-seok, Shin Seong-rok and Lee Kyoo-hyung as Sweeney Todd while Mrs. Lovett will be alternated by actors Jeon Mi-do, Kim Ji-hyun and Lina.

Set in 19th century England, the musical revolves around a barber named Benjamin Barker, who is played by Cho. He is living a happy life with his beautiful wife and daughter, but everything changes when he is falsely accused of a crime by Judge Turpin. The barber eventually loses his family and is exiled to Australia.

Tickets range from 70,000 won to 150,000 won.

Jamsil Station, line No. 2, exit 3

*Most tickets are available at ticket.interpark.com/global or by calling 1544-1555.

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]