Musicals

“Miss Saigon”: The musical that gained huge success in its 2006 premiere run here will continue its encore shows until Sept. 12 at the Seongnam Arts Center and Chungmu Arts Hall in central Seoul. The show tells a tragic love story between a U.S. soldier and a Vietnamese bar girl during the Vietnam War. Lee Gun-myung and Korean-American Michael Lee double in the leading roles while actresses Kim Bo-kyung and Lim Hye-young share the role of the female lead. Tickets run from 20,000 won to 110,000 won. For details, call (02) 518-7343.

“I Love You”: The Korean production of the hit omnibus romantic musical from Off Broadway features the diverse love stories of around 60 characters played by just four actors. Veteran musical actor Nam Kyung-joo, who starred in the premiere run in 2004, made the show widely-popular through his experienced performance. The realistic description of the process of a relationship -- from the joyful beginning stage to ennui -- as well as witty dialogue has appealed to the audience in previous runs. The show will be staged through Saturday at Art One Theater in Daehangno, Seoul. Tickets run from 20,000 won to 45,000 won. For details, call (02) 501-7888.

“The Phantom of the Opera”: The Korean production of the mega-hit West-end musical is playing through Aug. 8 at Charlotte Theater in Jamsil-dong, Seoul. A British troupe performed here in 2005 featuring popular musical actor Brad Little as the phantom. This year’s show will be more spectacular than previous years, with a revamped set and stage settings. Musical actress Kim So-hyun from the show’s 2001 premiere run stars as Christine. Tickets run from 40,000 won to 140,000 won. For details, call (02) 501-7888.

“Singles”: The musical adaptation of the Korean movie of the same title is showing as an open run at PMC Jayu Theater in Daehangno, Seoul. The show stars Jeon Hye-bin who makes her musical debut through the piece. The musical deals with the lifestyles, friendships and loves of young people. For more information, call (02) 764-8760.

“Pimatgol Sonata”: Taking a cue from what filmmaker Zhang Yimou’s musicals have done for China’s tourism industry, Seoul city is producing an original, large-scale musical set in Pimatgol -- a 600-year-old stretch of alley in downtown Seoul famous for rustic, street-side eateries and bars.
Set against a backdrop of an ill-fated love story during the Joseon period, the Seoul metropolitan government reportedly footed the 1.8 billion won budget in the hopes that the Bae Sam-sik-penned production will attract local and foreign visitors just as Zhang’s “Impressions” series did for Guilin in China.
Set to begin its limited run from Sept. 4-14, local musical stalwarts Cho Jung-eun and Park Eun-tae portray the two star-crossed lovers alongside veteran television and theater actress Yang Hee-kyung.
Information on tickets is to be announced.

A promotional still from the upcoming big budget musical production “Pimatgol Sonata” starring Park Eun-tae (left) and Cho Jungeun.               Sejong Center for the Performing Arts

Dramas

“University of Laughs”: The hit play from last year by theater venture group Yeongeukyeoljeon is showing at Daehangno Arts One Theater as well as at COEX Arts Hall in Seoul as an open run. Based on the popular Japanese novel by Koki Mitani, the piece depicts a seven-day confrontation between an inspector trying to ban comic plays and a scriptwriter who values humor above all in his works, and the friendship that later develops between the two. Tickets run from 20,000 won to 40,000 won. For details, call (02) 766-6007.

“Nobody Else But You”: Based on the hit Japanese comedic drama of the same name written by Koki Mitani, the local version of the play will be staged by The Best Play, Inc. at the Ida Theater in Daehangno beginning July 23-Oct. 31. Veteran Daehangno theater scene stalwarts Song Young-chang and Seo Hyun-cheol star in this comedic romp about a middle-aged father’s daughter becoming romantically linked with a man older than he is.
For more information on tickets, contact The Best Play, Inc. (02) 766-6007.

“A King is the King”: The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts presents Korea’s first stage adaptation of an Arabic theatrical play, “A King is the King.” Directed by Choi Yon-hoon, the play tells the story of an Arabic king who ventures outside of his kingdom in a drunken impulse to see for himself the state of his people. He meets an impoverished merchant on the street and decides to take him into his palace where he is introduced to the lavish world of his majesty’s royal lifestyle. The production’s run will begin Sept. 3-19 at the M theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Seoul. For information on tickets, call (02) 399-1114~6 or visit www.interpark.co.kr (02) 1544-1555

Festivals

“Keochang International Festival of Theatre“ (July 30-Aug. 15): Forty-two theatrical groups from 10 countries will present plays at outdoor theaters in Wicheon, Geochang County, South Gyeongsang Province, during the 22nd Keochang International Festival of Theatre. For more information, call (055) 943-4152 or visit www.kift.or.kr.

“The Lotus Industry Festival of Korea Muan, 2010”: From Aug. 5–9, the Lotus Industry Festival of Korea will be held in Muan County, South Jeolla Province.
Muan boasts the largest habitat of White Lotus in Asia, close to the size of 100,000 pyeong (330,000 square meters). During this festival, an endless array of white lotus flowers can be appreciated. The festival is advertised as an ecological event in which visitors can become one with nature.
Hands-on activities fit for the entire family are available throughout the five day festival.
For more information visit www.tour.muan.go.kr.

“Sunchang Fermented Sauce Festival”: This festival is held every fall at Sunchang, a city known for healthy living and longevity. Sunchang hot pepper sauce, which used to be presented to the royal family during the Joseon Dynasty, is said to have many health benefits, including the prevention of cancer and obesity. As people become more interested in their health, the famous pepper paste has become an even greater part of the Korean diet. The upcoming event is a celebration of all things spicy. The venue of the festival is Hot Sauce Folk Village, a Mecca of Sunchang Hot Sauce. There will be a range of programs including celebrity performances, percussion performances, Madangnori and making traditional hot sauce. Other side events include Sunchang Specialty Exhibition (e.g. vegetables fermented in hot sauce, Bokbunja liquor), Children’s Painting Contest, and photo exhibitions. The festival’s crowning glory is the Sunchang traditional hot sauce competition, a must-see event. For more information on the festival, visit www.hotsauce.go.kr.

By Song Woong-ki (kws@heraldm.com)