Classical music


iolinist Shin Ju-hyung recital -- Up-and-coming violinist Shin Ju-hyung will hold his first recital on March 30 in Seoul, as part of Kumho Young Artist Concert Series 2015. A member of New World Symphony and Verbier Festival Orchestra, Shin has been demonstrating his talents in and out of the country, winning second prize at the Andrews International Music Competition for strings as top honors at various local competitions. He will perform a program consisting of core violin repertories, including Mozart’s Sonata for Violin and Piano in E minor and Bach’s Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in D minor, with Shin Ji-yeon on piano. The concert will take place at Kumho Arts Hall at 8 p.m. Ticket price range from 9,000 won to 10,000 won. For more information, call (02) 6304-1977.

Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra: The Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra is gearing up to present two special concerts this June as part of its ongoing summer lineup. On June 5, conductor Lim Hun-joung will take the reign of the local orchestra in his rendition of Mozart’s Opera “Die Zauberflote” overture and Flute Concerto No. 1 in G Major along with Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major. The performance will feature special guest flutist Yoon Hye-ri. Following this performance the orchestra will pay homage to the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius in celebration of the 150th anniversary since his birth. The concert will be held on June 19, with conducting by Park Young-min and featuring Esther Yoo on violin. Ticket prices for both shows is 10,000 won. For more information, visit www.bucheonphil.org.

“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.

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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

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.

“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.

“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.

“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.