ENTERTAINMENT
'Death Note', 'Dracula' 10th Anniversary Performance 2023 Charlotte Lineup
On the 9th, Lotte Entertainment unveiled the 2023 lineup of works for Charlotte Theater, Korea's first musical-only theater. As the shadow of the coronavirus is gradually lifting and the number of audiences visiting theaters is increasing, four carefully selected musicals with both artistic value and box office performance are scheduled to take charge of the Charlotte Theater stage this year.
The musical 'Sweeney Todd', which was selected as the most anticipated work in the second half of 2022, is scheduled to end on March 5. 'Sweeney Todd' is set in 19th century England and is a delightful black comedy with unconventional material and the story of Benjamin Barker, an ordinary barber, who, after being falsely accused and going through all sorts of hardships, aims revenge on those who took everything from him and the absurd world. , an outstanding work with a grotesque stage and unpredictable story development.
In particular, the music of 'Sweeney Todd', created by musical master Stephen Sondheim, is famous for creating a unique atmosphere and providing an inescapable sense of immersion. 'Sweeney Todd', which has created a box office sensation by selling out most of the seats since its opening, continues to receive positive reviews from actual viewers due to the increasingly high quality of the performance and the passionate performances of the actors each episode.
The work that will decorate the spring stage is the musical 'Death Note', which was recognized for its artistic value by winning 4 awards, including Best Picture, at the 7th Korea Musical Awards. It is expected that musical fans will pay great attention to the first meeting of 'Death Note', which received explosive love from audiences, with all seats sold out at each ticket opening, and the Charlotte Theater.
This work, based on the original manga of the same name, 'Death Note', deals with the fierce competition between protagonist Light Yagami and his rival L surrounding the Death Note, which kills the target if the name is written. The Korean production of 'Death Note' attracted attention from the production process through the collaboration of Korea's top creative staff, including composer Frank Wildhorn, music director Kim Moon-jeong, director Kim Dong-yeon, and stage/lighting/video/prop design director Oh Pil-young.
In addition, the three-dimensional stage, whose floor, walls, and ceiling are all filled with LED displays, effectively implements quick scene changes and surreal scenes. The protagonists of the legend that sold out all seats, including actors Kim Junsu, Hong Kwang-ho, Go Eun-seong, and Kim Seong-cheol, are expected to return and present an explosive performance.
‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ a representative work of the musical genre and one of the most famous works in the world, returns to the Charlotte Theater after 13 years. The musical 'Phantom of the Opera' is a love story hidden behind the masks of the Phantom of the Opera, a genius musician who hides in the basement of the opera house with his face covered with a mask, the prima donna Christine, and Raoul, a nobleman who loves Christine.
Gorgeous stage direction and beautiful music composed of maestro Andrew Lloyd Webber's captivating numbers make 'The Phantom of the Opera' a symbolic meaning as the most authentic musical and genre itself. Top actors spanning all genres of culture and arts, including Cho Seung-woo, Choi Jae-rim, Kim Ju-taek, and Jeon Dong-seok, as well as classical artists from the world's top stages, are scheduled to appear.
This performance adds special meaning as it is staged at the Charlotte Theater once again following 2009. As a theater dedicated to musicals, the Charlotte Theater has the same stage size as Broadway, a sense of space, seats close to the stage, and a classic atmosphere. It has all the optimal conditions for watching 'Phantom of the Opera.'
The musical 'Dracula', which depicts the love that transcends death between Dracula and Mina, will return after two years on the Charlotte Theater's year-end stage in 2023. The masterpiece 'Dracula', which has been loved around the world since its Broadway premiere in 2004, has established itself as a steady seller, proving its popularity unabated even by the sudden coronavirus outbreak during its performance at the Charlotte Theater in 2020.
The musical 'Dracula' is composed by Frank Wildhorn, Korea's most beloved composer, and its dramatic and lyrical numbers encompass the entire play, completing the work's unique beautiful and sad emotions. The grand and three-dimensional stage production consisting of three newly added numbers and a quadruple turntable system just for the Korean production is the highlight.
The musical 'Dracula', which tells a heartbreaking love story spanning hundreds of years, requires the acting and singing skills of the lead actor to convincingly portray a three-dimensional character. As top actors have appeared in previous productions, expectations are high that this performance will also feature top domestic actors.
Lotte Entertainment performance business team leader Yoon Se-in said, “After much careful consideration, we have put together a lineup of works that will give an unforgettable impression to many audiences.” Regarding the musical storytelling Mon de Charlotte, which opened in December last year, "As the works to be released in 2023 are loved by audiences for their attractive stories and concepts that captivate the public, we hope that you will also look forward to seeing them be reborn as unique course meals through Mon de Charlotte." “He said.
Kang Min-kyung, Ten Asia reporter kkk39@tenasia.co.kr
