Theater

“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.

“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 60,0000 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 of the play 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 & Hyde”) with the book and lyrics by Ivan Menchell (“Bonnie & 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.

Exhibitions

“Autodestruccion8: Sinbyeong”: Mexican artist Abraham Cruzvillegas will hold his first solo show in Korea at the Art Sonje Center in Seoul. The artist will present new installations made with waste and debris he collected in Seoul, such as bricks, floor panels, Styrofoam, wood, shoes, chairs and bicycles, as part of the ongoing “autodestruccion” series. Based on his childhood experience of his family settling in an illegal area, the artist began to use recycling materials he found around exhibition spaces to discover new aesthetics and functions. He is expected to hold a major show at Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall in October. The exhibition runs until July 26. For more information, call (02) 733-8945.

Special Exhibition of Donated Works ― Jung Tak-young: The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea will hold an exhibition of the late Korean abstract artist Jung Tak-young, who is known for 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 will be 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. The artworks, on loan from the National Gallery of Art in the U.S., range from earlier works featuring street scenes and subway snapshots 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, which is 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, who references literature, art history, 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, which were 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 and man-made disasters, such as the catastrophic Chernobyl nuclear incident. For more information, visit www.seoulmuseum.org.

Pop music

“Paul McCartney ― Out There”: One of the rock world’s most legendary figures, Paul McCartney, will be performing his first show in Korea on May 2. McCartney needs no introduction, as the ex-Beatle has solidified himself as one the most recognized musicians in the world. The 73-year-old rock icon, who was originally slated to perform his show in Seoul last May, canceled after falling ill. The musician is now picking up where he left off and will be making his way to Korea as part of the Hyundai Card Super Concert series. McCartney will be performing live at the Jamsil Sports Complex Olympic Stadium. Ticket prices range from 55,000 won to 300,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“Huh Gak ― Assimilation in May”: Singer Huh Gak, winner of the second season of star discovery program “Superstar K,” is giving a spring solo concert. After rising to red-carpet fame on “Superstar K” with his inspirational underdog story and sweet voice, Huh Gak has solidified himself as a steady-seller in the Korean ballad scene. His spring concert “Assimilation in May” will be an intimate meeting with fans in the small Yes24 Muv Hall in Mapo-gu, Seoul. The concert runs from May 1-5. Tickets are 88,000 won. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.interpark.com.

“Seoul Jazz Festival 2015”: The annual three-day Seoul Jazz Festival will be kicking off its ninth year with an all-star line-up, including jazz icons Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock, Gregory Porter, the Cardigans, Basement Jaxx, Caro Emerald, Owl City, Jeff Bernat, Dirty Loops, Mika and many more. The upcoming music festival will also include a number of popular Korean acts, including acoustic duo 10cm, Roy Kim, the Peppertones, Epik High and Daybreak. This year’s Seoul Jazz Festival will be held at Seoul Olympic Park from May 23-25. Ticket prices range from 123,000 won (early bird) to 287,000 and vary based on one-, two- or three-day passes. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

“Pentatonix ― On My Way Home Tour”: Next month, the Grammy Award-winning American a cappella group Pentatonix will come to Seoul for a solo concert. The five-member group, which won the third season of the NBC series “The Sing-Off,” brings futuristic sounds and amazing technique to familiar hit songs, as well as their original music. This will be their first solo concert in Korea, following a successful appearance at the CityBreak festival last year. Pentatonix hits the stage on May 28 at Olympic Hall in Olympic Park. Ticket prices range from 99,000 won to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.

Dance

“Taming of the Shrew”: One of William Shakespeare’s most iconic comedic tales of love and cunning deceit, the ballet rendition of the “Taming of the Shrew” will be staged by the Korean National Ballet as part of the company’s 2015 repertoire. The plot follows the storyline of the less-than-desirable Katherina ― “the shrew” ― who frightens away any potential romantic suitors, while her younger and far more desirable sister must halt her search for a husband until her sister is married off first. The two-act ballet based on the Shakespeare classic will be performed from April 29 to May 3 at the Seoul Arts Center. For more information, visit www.kballet.org.

“Giselle”: Following the Korean National Ballet’s season opener of “Giselle,” the Korea Universal Ballet Theatre will also be staging 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 is not the only woman in his life. The Universal Ballet Company’s production of “Giselle” will be held at the Seoul Arts Center from June 13 to 17. For more information, visit www.universalballet.com.

“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 is choreographed by SBT artistic director James Jeon, and is an action-packed modern dance piece ― 70-minute long with no intermission ― stemming 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 http://www.ballet.or.kr/.

“Swan Lake”: The Korea National Ballet will stage the timeless Tchaikovsky classic “Swan Lake” at Seoul Arts Center from June 24-28. The famous ballet tells the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse. She tries to break the spell with her love interest prince Siegfried, but fails as the prince is tricked by the magician. Tickets cost 5,000 won to 80,000 won. For details, call (02) 587-6181 or visit www.kballet.org.

Classical Music

“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.

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra: The famed Dutch symphony orchestra Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra will perform at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul from April 20-23. Led by renowned Hungarian conductor Ivan Fischer, they will perform the complete cycle of Beethoven symphonies in four concerts. Tickets cost 70,000 to 330,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743 or visit www.vincero.co.kr.

Benjamin Grosvenor solo recital: British classical pianist Benjamin Grosvenor will hold his first solo recital in Seoul on April 22 at Seoul Arts Center’s IBK Chamber Hall. Grosvenor first shot into the spotlight in 2004 when, at age 11, he won the prestigious BBC Young Musician of the Year award in the keyboard section. The pianist joined the famous music label Decca Records in 2011 and won two Grammy awards with his debut album the following year. Grosvenor is scheduled to perform Bach-Busoni’s Chaconne in D Minor and Chopin’s Mazurkas and Barcarolle Op. 60, among others, at his concert. Ticket prices range from 40,000 won to 80,000 won. For details, call (02) 2106-2019.

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

“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 Theatre on July 2. Ticket prices range from 50,000 won to 220,000 won. For details, call (02) 541-2512.