Is everyone enjoying summer?
Musical ‘The Man Who Laughs’
뮤지컬 ‘웃는남자’
Venue: Sejong Center
Runtime: 2022.06.11 – 2022.08.21
A second creative musical by EMK Musical Company based on a novel by the same name by Victor Hugo, on its third season since its premiere in 2018. This musical also premiered in Japan in 2019. Set in 17th century England, young Gwynlaine, a boy with strangely torn mouth, is abandoned in a blizzard by a trafficking group that kidnaps children and sells them as toys to nobles, finds baby Dea in the arms of a woman. As if by a miracle he meets a wandering medicine dealer, Ursus, who takes them in despite his hate towards humans. Growing up, they put on a show of a boy with a deformed smile and a story of a blind Dea, which attracted attention all over Europe – even Queen Anne’s relative, Josiana. For the first time in his life, wooed by the noblewoman, Gwynplaine’s pure heart is shaken by her seduction. Dea and Ursus secretly heartbroken by his appearance await what will become of the poor laughing boy turned aristocrat overnight.
“Rich man’s paradise is build on poor man’s hell”
Musical ‘Four Minutes’
뮤지컬 ‘포미니츠’
Venue: Jeongdong Theater
Runtime: 2022.06.21 – 2022.08.14
A creative musical adaptation of the German movie ‘Vier Minuten’ (2007) by Chris Kraus, produced by Jeongdong Theatre. This musical that premiered only last year can pride itself on the immediate second season and tells the story of Lucau Prison, the final destination for the outcasts of the world. Krüger, a woman teaching female inmates piano for 60 years during her life sentence and 18-years-old Jenny, serving her sentence for homicide, meet. Krüger recognized Jenny’s natural talent and suggested that she takes lessons. The very first lesson ends up with Jenny assaulting Warden Muche and ending up in solitary confinement. After this incident, she slowly starts to open up her heart from all the distrust and anger towards the world. The two get closer by revealing their hidden wounds through their common ground – the piano
Musical ‘Mia Famiglia’
뮤지컬 ‘미아 파밀리아’
Venue: Yes 24 Stage 2
Runtime: 2022.06.11 – 2022.09.04
**Editor’s note: This musical contains a possibly controversial representation of the mafia, which may be triggering. Proceed at your own discretion. **
A creative musical produced by MJStarfish, currently under Hong Company, is back with its fourth season. It is the first instalment of the ‘Mafia Series’, followed by Mio Fratello and Apollonia. Set in New York City during the Great Depression of the 1930s, a desolate city soaring with unemployment and people seeking alcohol despite prohibition. Apollonia Inn&Bar, the safe haven of poor Italian workers, fell into the hands of the mafia and is to be closed. Richard and Oscar are to perform the final repertoire, while the mafia family’s soldier Stevie comes and threatens to perform the boss’ autobiography ‘Mia Familia’.
Musical ‘Widerstand’
뮤지컬 ‘비더슈탄트’
Venue: Dream Art Center 3
Runtime: 2022.06.30 – 2022.09.25
A brand new creative musical by Mystic Culture is having its premiere this month! Set in Germany, 1938, an ambitious 17-years-olf Magnus enters Germany’s elite sports school with his best friend Abel to become the best fencer but learns an unexpected truth about the school. Both friends along with members of the fencing club begin their own resistance and gradually uncover what secrets lie hidden behind the school’s name. Magnus’ determination, however, begins to shake as he receives the special attention of the school’s chief executive, Claire, which conflicts with Abel.
Musical ‘Eugene and Eugene’
뮤지컬 ‘유진과유진’
Venue: Daehakro Freedom Theater
Runtime: 2022.06.18 – 2022.08.28
Creative musical by 낭만바리케이트 company on its second season since last year’s debut. Based on the novel Eugene and Eugene by Lee GeumLee (이금이), this beloved work concentrates on the sensitive subject of child sexual violence, hoping to bring the message of hope to Little Eugene, Big Eugene, as well as all of us who need comfort. These two seemingly unlike girls meet each other in middle school and, while retelling their memories, realize they might be more alike than one would think at first glance.
Musical ‘Laundry’
뮤지컬 ‘빨래’
Venue: Uniplex Hall 2.
Runtime: 2022.06.10 – 2023.01.29
Laundry is an original Korean musical first premiered in 2016 by Myongrang Theatre and is often said to be the sequel of the musical Subway Line 1. This year, on its 26th anniversary under HC Watermelon, almost 1,700 musical actors auditioned. The heartwarming portrayal of their stories touched hearts of the audience and secured the musical multiple awards.
‘Bare The Musical’
‘베어 더 뮤지컬’
Venue: Doosan Art Center Yonkang Hall
Runtime: 2022.06.22 – 2022.09.18
A licenced musical under Showplay company on its 5th season since its Korean premiere in 2015. This musical has been a hot topic with music that contains bold yet poetic lyrics and dynamic characters’ emotions. It depicts the troubles and wanderings of teenagers while dealing with heavy subjects such as homosexuality, adolescent pregnancy, and drugs. It also expresses how conservative and religious views collide with these materials in the setting of a Catholic high school. Peter, who has a passive personality, is secretly dating Jason, the king of the school. Peter wants to come out, but Jason rejects it because he fears he will lose everything he has.
Musical ‘The Apologia of Goethe – The Sorrows of Young Werther’
&
‘The Apologia of Wilde – The Soul of Man under Socialism, Portrait of Dorian Gray’
뮤지컬 ‘괴테의변론 – 젊은베르테르의슬픔’
&
‘더와일드의변론 – 거짓의쇠락, 도리안그레이의초상’
Venue: Yes 24 Stage 1
Runtime: 2022.06.25 – 2022.08.14
HJ Culture brings us a brand new musical format that breaks away from the typical performance-production format, which the audience is well acquainted with. Same subject, two stories, never performed before in an omnibus-style musical. Who can judge the value of art, Goethe’s defence of young Werther or Wilde’s defence of Dorian? The Defense of art at court begins. Points to look forward to: actors playing two roles a day, appearing in two works at the same time and acting different characters on the same stage, or a new experience of “Audience’s Choice” and “Musical All-in-One”.
The Apologia of Goethe – The Sorrows of Young Werther
This work concerns Goethe’s famously controversial novel, shunned by the 18th-century society for promoting free love and essentially Byronic outlook on suicide. The authority of the people, the Priest, recognized this topic as a social problem and tried to prohibit this book for immoral reasons. In court, Goethe was questioned by the Priest and, in his own way, became Werther’s lawyer. Goethe’s cries for true love, uncontrolled by social customs or institutions, the safety of family and individual freedom shall be judged in the house of law.
The Apologia of Wilde – The Soul of Man under Socialism, Portrait of Dorian Gray
On a similar note, Oscar Wilde’s popularity soared in the 19th century, becoming a household name in the United Kingdom. One day Wilde met Douglas ‘Bosie’ and fell in love. Bosie’s father, Marquis of Queensbury, found out about this (illegal) relationship and openly criticized him. Wilde decided to accuse Queensbury of defamation, prompted by Bosie, who himself has a bad relationship with his father. In court, Wilde was accused of immorality with the evidence from his own books Portrait of Dorian Gray and The Decay of Lying. As a result, Wilde’s position became increasingly disadvantageous and eventually cost him the trial.
Partial synopsis translations: Musical in Life
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