Muscial ′West Side Story′ and ′Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street′ visits audiences

Muscial 'West Side Story' and 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street' visits audiences: Art / 연합뉴스 / 2023-01-04 11:26:06

▲This photo, provided by Show Note, show, scene of 'West Side Story.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲This photo, provided by OD Company show scene of 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲This photo, provided by Show Note, show, scene of 'West Side Story.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL January 4 (Yonhap) -- Two of the musicals considered to be the classics within the short history of musicals will premiere on stage.

Both, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” by Stephen Sondheim who laid foundation on shaping the Broadway to become the sanctuary of musicals, and “West Side Story” by composer Leonard Bernstein have managed to place within the top 10 of the most booked shows within the list provided by the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System on January 2.

◇ Just like clustered blood stains, intertwined revenge, “Sweeney Todd: The Deomn Barber of Fleet Street.”

“Throughout the history, those on top of everyone used to rip off from those who work for them. However, surprisingly nowadays working class and underprivileged are the ones shredding up the ruling class.”

Barber Benjamin Barker who gets his wife beautiful wife taken away from him and later incarcerated becomes a merciless murderer Sweeney Todd who’s actions are fueled by his anger and hankering for revenge goes on killing spree.

Sweeney Todd and his helper, Nellie Lovett who owns the pie shop danced and sang together after planning on selling a pie made out of victim’s corps. With the disturbing lines with joyful melody and laughing characters all cluster up and fill up the musical with irony and satire.

“Sweeney Todd : The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” which will continue on with the performance at Chalotte Theater located in Seoul until March 5, is one of the representing musical of Stephen Sondheim which was loved throughout the years by encompassing black comedy, and music which provides the suspense. The musical, which premiered in 1979 at Broadway depicts a bloody revenge of an anger driven barber Sweeney Todd.”

Judge Turpin who not only rapped Benjamin Barker’s wife but also plans on marrying Benjamin’s daughter Johanna Barker, runs into Sweeney Todd’s barber shop and sings how beautiful Johanna Barker is and how he will propose to her while Sweeney Todd shaves him. Sweeney Todd who was planning on murdering judge Turpin, sings long in reminiscence of his daughter Johanna and they both create uncanny harmony.

Sweeney Todd’s plan to kill judge Turpin goes to waste due to certain interference; Sweeney todd ends up bursting into rage, and plans out the rescue mission to save his daughter from getting married to judge Turpin. However, action of those who help out Sweeney Todd are deeply rooted in their individual greed, therefore as the plot thickens as the uncoordinated individuals have hard time executing the plan.

With the keen sense of satire, with almost gruesome and somewhat beautiful, the musical shines light on deep and dark human nature.

Musical actor Kang Pil-seok who has proven his acting skills through play “Hamlet” and the musical “Something rotten” will act out revenge thrust Sweeney Todd. Moreover actor Lee Kyu-hyung and Shin Sung-rok will also take the stage as Sweeney Todd.

Musical actress Jeon Mi-do who received the, lead actress award throughout Korean Musical award by participating in the production of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” in 2017 has returned to the musical as Mrs. Lovett.

◇ Love bloomed through star cross lovers, portrayed through dance “West Side Story”

Herd of youngsters in their tough looking outfit walks through the streets of slum area within Manhattan of New York. Despite of their outlook and intensified atmosphere, instead of a fight, both crew members start to dance to jazz tunes. Although there were neither punches nor kicks were exchanged throughout the scene audiences are drawn into the storyline with just the look and by the gestures of the actors.

“West Side Story” which will be performed until February 26 at Chungmu art center is a spin off version of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” which takes place in New York. Legendary conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein composed the tracks within the musical and Stephen Sondheim wrote the lyrics for the tracks. Later on the musical was premiered in 1957.

The musical deals with star crossed love between Tony and Maria of conflicting gangs, Jets which consists of Polish immigrants and Sharks gang which consists of Puerto Rico immigrants.

Although the musical follows closely to the plot of original Romeo and Juliet it withholds sharp satire about the racial discrimination, hatred towards immigrants and social problems with beautiful tracks.

Youngsters of Shark Gang who cannot leave United States and return back to their own country despite of how brutal the discrimination they receive. Members of Jets and Sharks continues to fight on the battle field set by ruling parties of the society.

As the conflict between both gangs reach the peak, Tony and Maria sings “Tonight” which combines the love serenade of Tony and Maria, and anger driven quintet creating a beautiful highlight of the musical “West Side Story.”

Chorographer Jerome Robbins who participated in the production of “West Side Story” created a dance routine which created greater synergy with the song added on top of it. By collaborating ballet, tango, and more actors portray individual character’s unique emotion throughout the show.

Actor Kim Junsu, Park Kang-hyun, Go Eun-sung will act out the protagonist Tony, and actress Han Jae-ah, and Lee Ji-soo will act out Maria. Moreover actress Kim So-hyang and Jung Yu-ji will act out Maria’s friend Anita.