Calendar

THEATER

“Chess: The Musical”: With lyrics by the renowned Tim Rice, the musical “Chess” is set during the Cold War at a time of heightened tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. Amid the political turmoil, the world chess championship in Thailand captures the world’s attention when American grandmaster Freddie prepares to play Soviet grandmaster Anatoly. The Korean cast musical will feature K-pop idols Jo-kwon and Key in the role of Anatoly and musical actors Shin Sung-woo and Lee Kun-myung as Freddie. “Chess” will run from June 19 to July 19 at the Sejong Center, with ticket prices ranging from 40,000 won to 130,000 won. For more information, visit www.musicalchess.co.kr.

“Urinetown: The Musical”: To pee or not to pee, that is the question in the satirical comedy Broadway musical “Urinetown.” After a horrible drought causes a massive water shortage, private toilets become a thing of the past, leaving only public toilets controlled by a megacorporation that forces patrons to pay to use the restroom. Those who break the law are banned from society forever and sent to a deserted colony called “Urinetown.” The local rendition of the musical is on an open run until Aug. 2 at the Hongik University Daehangno Art Center. Ticket prices range from 40,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, visit www.iseensee.com.

“Jesus Christ Superstar”: The globally popular musical rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar” is the beloved love child of Broadway legends Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. The musical is loosely based on the life of the last week of Jesus, highlighting the personal and political struggles of Judas and Jesus and then the crucifixion. The Korean version of “Jesus Christ Superstar” will be staged at the Charlotte Theater in Seoul from June 7 to Sept. 13. Ticket prices range from 50,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information, call 1577-3363.

“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 female-audience-only variety show features strapping young 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.

“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 get its Asian premiere in Seoul. 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 its 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.

“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 two of the country’s top 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 to Aug. 9 at the Seongnam Arts Center Opera House. For inquiries, call (02) 1577-3363.

“Chicago ― Original Cast”: The original Broadway cast of “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 against 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.

“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 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 Blue Square in Hannam-dong, Seoul. Ticket prices range from 60,000 won to 140,000 won. For more information call, (02) 6391-6333.

DANCE

Chang Mu International Dance Festival: At Arko Performing Arts Center in Seoul’s Daehangno, a dance festival takes place from July 27-Aug. 4, presenting dance performances from around the world. The festival will open with a work by Atamira Dance Company, which will present a piece combining contemporary dance and traditional movements of the native Maori people of New Zealand. More than 20 dance companies, choreographers from various countries including Korea, Japan, Finland and Indonesia will participate in the festival. Ticket prices range from 20,000 won to 50,000 won. Discounted packages or student discounts are also available. For more information, contact (02) 3668-0007.

2015 Ballet Korea Festival: The fifth Ballet Korea Festival kicks off June 4 at Seoul Arts Center for a three-week run, featuring 16 ballet works staged by 15 dance troupes. Highlights of this year’s lineup include Park Sangchul Ballet Company’s rendition of the Shakespeare play “Othello” and Baek Youngtae Ballet Lyubov’s interpretation of the German-original “Demian,” as well as the Korean National Ballet’s crowd-favorite “Swan Lake.” “Swan Lake” runs from June 24-28 at Seoul Arts Center, with tickets costing 50,000 won to 60,000 won. For information on other performances, visitwww.bafeko.com.

“KNCDC Residency: Exchange Project”: The Korean National Contemporary Dance Company will present new works by two German choreographers ― Ben J. Riepe’s “Display of an Attitude” and Jochen Roller’s “Picture Writing” ― at Seoul Arts Center’s CJ Towol Theater from June 19-21, as part of its international exchange program. Ticket prices range from 20,000 won to 50,000 won. For details, call (02) 580-1300.

Exhibition “A Moonlight stroll in the Ancient Palaces”: Sa Suk-won is holding a solo exhibition presenting a new series portraying royal palaces in Seoul. Born and raised in Seoul, Sa has frequently visited royal palaces in an escape from the hustle and bustle of the capital city. His unique renditions of palace images feature animals such as an owl, horse, tiger and lion painted in vivid colors. Through these animals, the artist creates mystery and humor in his paintings. The exhibition runs from June 12 to July 12 at Gana Art Center. For more information, call (02) 720-1020.

“Wilderness into a Garden”: British Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare MBE is holding a solo exhibition at Daegu Art Museum, bringing 80 works of art including sculptures, installations and video works under the six themes of money, play, empire, conflict, environment and love. The artist criticizes imperialism and the colonialism of the West through the installations of mannequins wearing traditional African costumes in bright colors, an attempt by the artist to connect with Korea’s history and culture that experienced sufferings under colonialism. The exhibition runs until Oct. 18 at Daegu Art Museum in Daegu. For more information, visit www.daeguartmuseum.org.

“Devout Patrons of Buddhist Art”: The National Museum of Korea sheds light on the devout patrons of Buddhist art who commissioned artists and temples to make some of the great works of Buddhist art from the Three Kingdoms period (B.C. 18-A.D. 935) to the Joseon era (1392-1910). The exhibition reveals stories and wishes behind the makings of Buddhist paintings, sutras and statues. It runs through Aug. 2. For more information, visit www.museum.go.kr or call (02) 2077-9000.

“ARPNY VIBES: variable forms”: And N gallery holds an exhibition that introduces selected Korean artists who participated in the Artist Residency Program New York for the past three years. The gallery selected seven artists who work in diverse media including painting, photography, sculpture, installations and video. The exhibition runs until June 30 at and N gallery in Apgujeong-ro, Seoul. For more information, call (02) 542-7710.

“Vivian Maier X Garry Winogrand”: Sungkok Art Museum is holding a photo exhibition of two great American street photographers, Vivian Maier (1926-2009) and Garry Winogrand (1928-1984), for the first time in Asia. The exhibition reveals the unknown world of Maier, who worked as a nanny in Chicago for 40 years while secretly taking more than 100,000 photographs. Her pictures, hidden in storage, were discovered by filmmaker John Maloof, who later created the film “Finding Vivian Maier” in 2013. The exhibition also features 85 photographs by renowned photographer Garry Winogrand from New York, whose works portrayed American life from the 1950s through the 1980s. The section titled “Women Are Beautiful” shows spontaneous photos of women Winogrand took on the streets of New York. The exhibition runs from July 2 to Sept. 20 at Sungkok Art Museum on Gyeonghuigung-gil, Seoul. For more information, call (02) 737-8643.

Pop music

“2PM: House Party”: JYP’s iconic boy group 2PM is holding a two-day concert series at the end of June to mark their long-awaited Korean comeback following their six-city Japan tour “2PM of 2PM.” The concert will be a chance for fans to see 2PM’s new songs onstage, and enjoy new performances of their older hits. The concert is named “House Party” to continue and upgrade 2PM’s energy from their last promotions with “Go Crazy.” The concerts will be held at Seoul Olympic Park’s Gymnastics Arena on June 27 and 28. Ticket prices range from 88,000 won to 132,000 won. For more information, visit www.interpark.com.

“10cm Season Concert”: The indie duo 10cm is arguably one of the most successful indie bands to cross into the mainstream in Korean music. After enjoying a hit with “Sseudam Sseudam” last November, they are now opening a three-city concert tour called the “2015 10cm Season Concert.” The concert is expected to have a calming, serene set with new arrangements for fans who want to see the band’s softer side. The duo heads to Busan on June 27-28, Seoul from July 3-5, and Daegu on July 11. Tickets range from 77,000 to 88,000 won. For more information, visit www.interpark.com.

“Ailee: Fatal Attraction”: The young Korean-American singer who has been dubbed the “Beyonce” of Korea will be holding her first solo concert in the three years since her debut. The concert title was chosen to imply that she will be bringing all the soul and charisma of her work over the past three years to this onetime live concert. “Fatal Attraction” goes onstage on July 4 at Olympic Hall within Seoul Olympic Park. Tickets range from 77,000 won to 110,000 won. For more information, visit www.interpark.com.

“The Cry [100°C]”: Hip-hop performance “The Cry” is back in a remixed form for its 2015 show. With an all-star lineup including Block B’s Zico, Gray, Loco, Giriboy, Olltii and Cheetah, this year’s show will focus on rap. All of the artists have been better known for their raps in other artists’ songs than their own tracks. At “The Cry,” their skills will be brought front and center. In particular, Cheetah, the only female rapper in the show, has become a fast-rising star after “Unpretty Rapstar.” “The Cry” will take place on July 25 at AX-KOREA. Tickets are 77,000 won for both standing and seated. For more information, visit www.interpark.com.

Classlcal music

Seoul Pops Orchestra: The Seoul Pops Orchestra, the oldest pop orchestra in Korea, will hold performances in celebration of the 70th anniversary of Korea’s Independence from Japan’ colonial rule at Seoul Arts Center on July 14. Under the stewardship of chief conductor Ha Sung-ho, musicians will play a program that mixes genres of Western and Korean classical music. Pop singer So-hyang and three classical vocalists will make a guest performance. Ticket prices range from 50,000 won to 170,000 won. More details are available at www.seoulpops.com.

“L’Orfeo”: Claudio Monteverdi’s 17th-century opera “L’Orfeo” will get its Korean premiere by the Seoul Metropolitan Opera at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on July 23. Based on the Greek legend of Orpheus, the opera tells the story of his descent to Hades and his fruitless attempt to bring his dead bride Eurydice back to the living world. Baritone Han Gyu-won and tenor Kim Sae-il will sing Orpheus, opposite sopranos Jung Hye-wook and Huh Jin-ah as Eurydice. “L’Orfeo” will continue through July 26 and ticket prices range from 30,000 won to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1111 or visit www.sejongpac.or.kr.

Paik Kun-woo & Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra: Germany’s Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra will present Beethoven’s piano concertos with Korean pianist Paik Kun-woo on June 26-27 at Seoul Arts Center. German conductor Michael Sanderling will lead the two-hour concert. Ticket prices range from 60,000 won to 240,000 won. For details, call (02) 599-5743.

“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.

“Itzhak Perlman Violin Recital”: Itzhak Perlman, one of the world’s most renowned violinist virtuosos, will give a classical violin performance, accompanied by famous Sri Lankan pianist Rohan De Silva on Nov. 15 at Seoul Arts Center. Apart from scheduled violin concertos of Ludwigvan Beethoven, Johannes Brahms and Maurice Joseph Rabel, the rest will be spontaneously performed on the spot. Ticket prices range from 60,000 won to 180,000 won. For more information, contact (02) 1577-5266.