21st Anniversary of “Chicago” in Korea
(Photo: PlayDB)
"Chicago," Broadway's second longest-running musical, celebrates the 21st anniversary of its Korean premiere with the current replica production now playing until July 18.
The musical, set in jazz-age Chicago, centers on Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, two murderesses who seek fame in show business even while in prison, and their eloquent lawyer Billy Flynn. In Korea, starting with its premiere in 2000, it has been brought back 15 times, recording an average audience capacity of 90%.
This year’s production drew news and acclaim starring Tiffany Young of K-pop group Girls' Generation as the new Roxie Hart. Tiffany debuted as a member of Girls' Generation in 2007 before beginning a solo career in 2018. This is the K-pop idol's second appearance in a musical after playing Carmen Diaz in the musical "Fame" in 2011.
Tiffany Young as Roxie (Photo: Seensee Company)
In common Korean casting practice, Tiffany alternates the role with singer-turned-actress Ivy and musical actress Min Kyoung-a. Ivy first played Roxie nine years ago, and this is her sixth time playing the aspiring vaudevillian who murders her lover and is sent to jail.
Opposite the role of Roxie, veteran actresses Choi Jung-won and Yoon Gong-ju play Velma Kelly, while Park Gun-hyung and Choi Jae-rim take on the role of lawyer Billy Flynn.
In the press call earlier this month, performances included ‘All That Jazz’ by Choi Jeong-won as Velma Kelly, ‘All I Care About’ by Park Gun-hyung as Billy Flynn, ‘Roxie’ with Tiffany Young, ‘We Both Reached For The Gun’ by Min Kyung-ah and Choi Jae-rim, and ‘Hot Honey Rag’ with Yoon Gong-ju and Ivy.
The cast, some of whom have been in the production multiple times through the years, expressed their feelings about being on the 21st anniversary stage at a press conference that followed.
Choi Jung-won appeared in the role of Roxie at the premiere and has since transformed into Velma Kelly. Choi expressed her overwhelming feeling that “even though I have been performing for 21 years, I feel great joy and happiness as if giving birth when I first appear.”
After playing Roxie in 2012, Gong-ju Yoon, who appeared on the stage as Velma Kelly this year said, “I think that playing the role of Roxie Hart nine years ago was a preliminary practice to play the role of Velma Kelly now. That performance has helped me a lot in understanding and expressing Velma now.”
Reflecting on her “Chicago” debut this year, Tiffany Young said, “I try to do my best in storytelling every time. Roxie has an unruly side, but I'd rather be as honest as possible with Roxy’s humanity than embellish her.”
The musical “Chicago” will be performed at the D-Cube Art Center in Seoul from April 2nd to July 18th, 2021. For tickets and more information, click here.
Natalie Rine (she/her) is an international entertainment licensing strategist and the Associate New York theatre critic for OnStage Blog. natalie@jeanealogyproductions.com