한국산 뮤지컬 '광주(Gwangju the Musical)'가 10월 20일 오후 8시 맨해튼 787 Seventh 극장에서 쇼케이스로 공연된다. 타임스퀘어와 록펠러센터 중간 지점 AXA이퀴터블센터 빌딩(51-52스트릿, 7애브뉴)에 자리한 787 세븐스는 487석으로 브로드웨이 극장 재벌 슈버트 계열의 스튜디오 극장이다. 

안준원(안필단), 고선웅의 대본과 작사에 최우정이 작곡한 뮤지컬 '광주'는5.18 광주 민주화운동 당시 일상을 지키기위해 치열하게 항쟁한 광주 시민들의 이야기를 담았다.  2020년 10월 홍익대 대학로 아트센터에서 초연됐다. 뉴욕 쇼케이스 공연에선 현지 배우 15인이 14인조 오케스트라와 영어로 1시간 발췌 공연한다. 티켓은 무료이며 614-886-4521에 예약해야 한다. 

 

 

THE KOREAN MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS, AND TOURISM, GWANGJU METROPOLITAN CITY, GWANGJU CULTURAL FOUNDATION, LIVE CO., LTD., MABANGZIN, & CONTEMPORARY ASIAN THEATRE, INC.

PRESENT

A ONE NIGHT ONLY GALA CONCERT PRESENTATION AND ENGLISH ADAPTATION OF GWANGJU THE MUSICAL

 

A PRO DEMOCRACY MASTERPIECE COMMEMORATING THE 42ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE GWANGJU MAY 18 DEMOCRATIC UPRISING AND WINNER OF FIVE KOREAN MUSICAL AWARDS 

 

 

 

(New York, NY) – The Korean ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Gawangju Metropolitan City, Gwangju Cultural Foundation, Live Co., Ltd, Mabangzin, and Contemporary Asian Theatre, Inc. today announced that they are preparing local staff, actors and orchestras in New York to present an English adaptation of the hit Korean musical, GWANGJU THE MUSICAL, as a one night only Gala concert that will be held on Thursday, October 20th at 8:00PM at 787 Seventh Theater (787 7th Avenue), in New York. Tickets are free and open to the general public and can be reserved by calling 614-886-4521.

 

The winner of five Korean Musical Awards, the production was written by Sun-woong Koh and Pil-Dan An, with music composed by Uzong Choe. Lead Producer is Byungwon Kang & Kangmin Ko, and Executive Producer is Dimo Hyun Jun Kim. This concert production will be directed by Andrew Rasmussen and music directed by Andy Roninson, and widely considered a Korean masterpiece and commemorates their Democratic Movement, which the producers say should not be forgotten – especially now as several countries across the world face grave dangers to their own democracies.

 

"Gwangju" spotlights the various stories of citizens who participated in the May 18th Democratic Movement and is based on the statement of a former CIA agent that a special operations unit, also known as the 'convenience unit', that was deployed to Gwangju in 1980.

 

On May 16, 1961, President Park Chung-hee who seized power in a coup d'état, reigns as a dictator. About 20 years later, on October 26, 1979, Park Chung-hee was assassinated. The South Korean people believed that the dictatorship would end and democracy would come. However, another soldier, Chun Doo-hwan, led a coup d'état and seized power. On May 15, 1980, protests from major cities across Korea demanded the resignation of Chun Doo-hwan, but they turned around from believing that the ‘Democratic Spring’ will come soon. 

 

Only the southern city of South Korea, Gwangju, did not stop protesting. Gwangju was home to Chun Doo-hwan's strong rival, political leader Kim Dae-jung. Upon hearing about the rising protests in Gwangju, Chun Doo-hwan secretly dispatched a special operation unit. This was to fabricate the fact that Kim Dae-jung joined hands with North Korea and started a civil riot in Gwangju. On May 16, 1980, citizens of Gwangju, unaware of this fact, gathered in the city square with torches. It was meant to light the darkness of dictatorship with a torch and open up a splendid world of democracy. It was exactly 20 years since the military coup, Jeong-hee 

 

The cast of Gwangju The Musical features Abigail Choi Arader, Jong Sang Rhew, Dongwoo Kang, Joseph Im, Mikako Martin, Lerryant Krisdy, and Libby Lee along with the ensemble: Patrick Elizade, Philip Eng, Barron Leung, Irene Lo, Claire McConnel, Resa Mishina, Linda Shin, and Michelle Tsai. 

 

 

33 Keys to Decoding Korean Wave, Hallyu!

#4 저항의 민족 People of Resistance

Bong Joon-ho and Hwang Dong-hyuk of 'Parasite' and 'Squid Game' were once blacklisted. Korean movies and dramas contain a spirit of social criticism and a strong sense of theme/message. Why? In the history of the ordeal, Koreans have consistently resisted colonial rule and dictatorship, and the candlelight vigils that impeached President Park Geun-hye have the spirit of resistance of Koreans. Bong and Hwang were both named to TIME magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World" (Bong Joon-ho in 2020 and Hwang Dong-hyeok in 2022).

 

http://www.nyculturebeat.com/index.php?mid=Zoom&document_srl=4071840