"A Christmas Carol," a Korean-produced musical adaptation about the miser Scrooge and his extraordinary journey through time, returns to the stage this year-end. The production drew strong response at its premiere last year, and this year's version revises the script and score to portray Scrooge's transformation and growth in greater depth.
The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts said on the 14th that the Seoul Metropolitan Musical Theatre will stage "A Christmas Carol" from Dec. 2 to 27 at the Sejong Center's M Theater. The work is based on the novel of the same name by English author Charles Dickens. At last year's premiere, 18 of the 26 performances sold out, and daytime shows were added in response to audience demand.
The story follows Scrooge, a man who cares about nothing but money, as he travels through the past, present and future on Christmas Eve under the guidance of spirits and comes to understand the meaning of life. He confronts memories and emotions he had turned away from, and reflects on how the life he has led affected the people around him. Through the transformation of a cynical miser into a warm-hearted man, the production conveys the meaning of forgiveness, reconciliation and solidarity.
The creative team behind last year's premiere has reunited. Pyo Sang-ah, who directed the musicals "Gutenberg" and "The Tribe," takes the helm, joined by writer Jung Joon and composer Cho Han-na of "The Fairy in the Bathhouse." This year's staging depicts in finer detail how Scrooge comes to regret his past choices and resolves to change. The set and lighting recreating winter in 19th-century London, along with video work moving between reality and fantasy, are also drawing anticipation.
Kim Da-hyun, whose credits include the musicals "Notre-Dame de Paris" and "Hedwig," and Jung Sun-young of the Seoul Metropolitan Musical Theatre have been double-cast in the title role. Han Bo-ra and Lee Yeon-kyung play the spirit who leads Scrooge on his journey through time, with a single performer taking on all three spirits of past, present and future. Han, who won a supporting actor award at this year's Korean Musical Awards for "Laika," returns to the Seoul Metropolitan Musical Theatre stage after 14 years.
Eight child actors selected through open auditions in August will also appear. Yoo Ji-ho and Yoo Ra-hyun have been cast as the young Scrooge.