Exhibitions

Yun Hyong-keun: PKM Gallery presents an exhibition of the late monochrome artist Yun Hyong-keun (1928-2007) as their first in a newly opened gallery space in the historic neighborhood of Samcheong-dong. The exhibition, which runs from April 15 to May 17, features nine large paintings by the artist and his smaller works made from early 1970 to 1990. Yun was a leading figure in the dansaekhwa movement, using rough-surfaced canvas and black paint that stains the canvas. For more information, call (02) 734-9467.

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 abstract ink painting, 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.

“Novello Finotti: Buon Giorno”: Seoul Museum is holding the first solo exhibition of Italian sculptor Novello Finotti until May 17. The exhibition features 38 works by the 76-year-old artist made more than 60 years ago. Finotti’s marble and bronze sculptures feature simplified, abstract forms of the human body. His 1989 “Hourglass” sculpture highlights the graceful curves of a nude female body. His works also reflect the agony and tragedy of natural or man-made disasters, such as the catastrophic Chernobyl nuclear disaster. For more information, visit www.seoulmuseum.org.

Theater

“Hero”: A revival production of “Hero,” an original Korean musical based on the life of patriot Ahn Jung-geun (1879-1910) will be 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

“Cats”: The international production of the Broadway classic “Cats” is having its Seoul run until May 10. The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2011, is the second longest-running show in Broadway history. It tells the story of the Jellicles, a tribe of cats who assemble for their annual junkyard gathering, when one is chosen to be reborn for a new life. One-by-one the characters take center stage to make their case for rebirth, singing and dancing. “Cats” will play at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. Ticket prices range from 70,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363.

“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.

“Kyung-sook, Kyung-sook’s Father”: Set in the period after the Korean War, the award-winning play centers on a family comprising a father who leaves the family at the outbreak of the war; a mother who both loves and hates her husband; and their daughter Kyung-sook. The heartwarming narrative, helmed by award-winning director Park Geun-hyung, was also broadcast as a four-episode TV drama six years ago. The play runs through April 26 at the Soohyunjae Theater in Daehangno, Seoul. Tickets are 40,000 won for adults and 25,000 won for students. For more information, call (02) 766-6506.

“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-winning musical is a dynamic tale of passion, lust and murder during 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 Theatre 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.

Classical music

“Immortal”: Legendary Korean violinist Chung Kyung-wha is returning to the stage in full force, after fully recovering from a serious finger injury that halted her career for years. Chung will host two solo recitals in her upcoming “Immortal” concert series on April 28 and 30, performing three Beethoven sonatas in her first show, and Faure, Grieg and Beethoven on the second night. The concert will be held at the LG Arts Center with ticket prices ranging from 40,000 won to 130,000 won. For details, call (070) 7579-3660.

“The Marriage of Figaro”: Mozart’s 18th-century four-act Italian opera “The Marriage of Figaro” is the continuation of the plot from “The Barber of Seville.” The Mozart classic is widely regarded as a cornerstone of standard operatic repertoires and is among the most-performed operas worldwide. The production will be staged at Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater from May 8-10. Ticket prices range from 10,000 won to 180,000 won. For details, call (02) 720-3933.

“2015 Ditto Festival”: All-male chamber ensemble Ditto is back for its ninth annual festival. Titled “Schubertidade” as an homage to Austrian composer Schubert, the festival will feature a series of Schubert-themed concerts by violinist Johnny Lee, pianist Steve Lin, cellist Jay Campbell, violinist Richard Yongjae O’Neill and many other artists. The festival mainly takes place at the Seoul Arts Center and LG Art Center from June 6-30. For details, call (02) 318-4301 or visit www.dittofest.com.

“Mikhail Pletnev and Russian National Orchestra”: Pianist and conductor Mikhail Pletnev, founder and artistic director of the Russian National Orchestra, will take the helm of Russia’s first independent orchestra in the ensemble’s upcoming performance in Seoul. The orchestra will perform the Glinka Ruslan and Lyudmila Overture; Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor, Op. 23; and Rachmaninov’s Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 27. The one-day concert will be held at Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater on July 2. Ticket prices range from 50,000 won to 220,000 won. For details, call (02) 541-2512.