Blumenthal Performing Arts: Cookin' - November 2023

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BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS

NOVEMBER 2023

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Chefs preparing food in the Cookin’ kitchen.

HOPE YOU’RE HUNGRY: COOKIN’ DISHES UP FUN STORY BY

Keith Loria Cookin’ (Nanta in Korean), originally premiered in 1997 in Seoul, Korea, with the intention to play to audiences throughout the world.

“To meet the initial plan, it was made into a non-verbal performance that can be performed anywhere in the world without a language barrier and received its fame through the Edinburg Fringe Festival in 1999,” said Song Seung-whan, the creator and director of the show. “It consists of episodes of chefs in the kitchen based on Samulnori, a unique Korean traditional rhythm.”

The uniquely original show involves magic, acrobatics, comedy, mime, audience participation and, of course, food preparation as the cooks battle against time to prepare a wedding feast. The musical tells its story employing traditional Korean samulnori music, which for this show, is performed with improvised kitchen-related percussion instruments such as cutting boards and kitchen knives.

The American premiere was put on hold for the last three years due to COVID-19 and remounted in the summer of 2022 at the resident theater in Seoul. From there, it headed back to the U.S. with a show last October in New York.

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Chefs drumming and dancing in samulnori, a unique Korean traditional rhythm.

Now, for the first time, it’s performing at the Knight Theater in Charlotte through Nov. 5.

THE SIXTH CHARACTER “I can’t wait to meet the audience in Charlotte and work with Blumenthal Performing Arts,” Song said. “I hope audiences will feel the freedom from the unique rhythm of Korea and, through the comedy onstage, also feel the great pleasure of getting away from your daily life.”

The five performers appearing in Charlotte are all actors with rich backgrounds trained to dance, drum, and cook before going onstage.

Possible actors for the performance include Tae Wan Kim, Dong Keun Lee, Young Jun Kim, Hyun Soo Chun, and Kyuna Kim. “All had to go through a minimum of six months of training time,” Song said. “Audience members have always been the sixth character, so we want audiences to come and get ready to be onstage and play their part in the show.”

PILE THOSE DUMPLINGS That audience participation includes two members acting as the bride and groom in a traditional Korean wedding ceremony and they get to compete in piling up dumplings and interacting with the performers.

Of course, as a nonverbal show, it required a lot of thought and discussion in the beginning on how to make the performance appeal to everyone.

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The performers of Cookin’.

“The biggest challenge was to develop a simple storyline that can be understood universally, regardless of audience age or nationality,” Song said. “We have a preshow slide show for the audience to give some idea of what’s going to happen onstage and how to enjoy the show.”

SEARCHING FOR THE MAGIC Although Cookin’ was made to be presented internationally from the beginning, there were challenges to overcome to be adjusted to different venues in various cultures.

“For example, some cultures would not allow any nudity, even a slight bit, such as an actress’s sleeveless costume, so we ended up redesigning the costume,” Song said.

Among the things that audiences worldwide have appreciated about the show is that it includes clowning, stunts and more that make it fun for the whole family.

“You’ll see all kinds of comical elements throughout the show, such as martial arts or flying veggies with some tricks behind,” Song said. “I recommend the audience try searching for the magic behind it.”

A RECIPE FOR HAVOC Working against the clock, the four zany chefs will scurry to prepare the feast and make a manic menu of nonstop, high-speed action that whips up into an all-you-can-eat frenzy of martial arts and samulnori drumming.

Every utensil—yes, even the kitchen sink!—becomes an ingredient in a recipe for havoc and heart-pounding rhythms so irresistible you’ll be looking for a second helping.

With such an original story, combined with Korean uniqueness and global universality, Cookin’ has met 15 million audience members in 323 cities in 62 countries worldwide over the past 26 years and has left audiences with an appetite for more.

NOV. 3-5, 2023 Produced by PMC Productions Song Seung-Whan, Lee Kwang-Ho International Executive Producers: Simone Genatt, Marc Routh North American Tour Manager: Broadway Asia Company LLC, Faye Oyang

STAFF PARK, YOUNG EUN: Production Supervisor Working first as an Asst. Production Manager with PMC Production since 2011, her work includes the Korean musical: ‘March of Youth, ‘Romance of Their Own,’ and ‘Pinocchio.’ And as a Company Manager for Overseas productions, including: ‘K-pop Music Festival (Japan)’ and the Musical ‘Brothers Were Brave (Japan).’ She has been working as a Production Manager for the world tour of Cookin’, including Japan, Vietnam, and Europe. She was also the production supervisor of the Broadway production of Cookin’ at New Victory Theatre in 2022. She has an MFA degree in Theatre Design & Technical Production.

YUN, DAEHUI: Technical Director/Stage Manager Has been working with PMC Production since 2013 as a Technical Director and Stage Manager. Productions he has worked on include: ‘Treasure Island,’ ‘Children’s Nanta Cookin’ and numerous overseas productions of Cookin’ including Kazakhstan & Japan.

KIM, HOON YOUNG: Lighting Director Has been the Lighting Designer and Operator for PMC Production since 2006.

Productions he has worked on include: ‘Brothers Were Brave (Seoul & Japan),’ ‘Pull & Push(Seoul & Japan),’ and numerous overseas productions of Cookin’.

He has a BFA in Acting from the Seoul Institute of the Arts. His recent work includes the Broadway production of Cookin’ at New Victory Theatre in 2022.

PARK, HYUNA: Sound Director Has been working with PMC Production since 2018 as a Sound Director for Cookin’s resident theatres in Seoul, Korea, and overseas productions, including South Africa. She has also worked as a sound operator of ‘Treasure Island’ & ‘Children’s Nanta Cookin’’ with PMC Production.

ACTORS SUL, HO YEOUL: Manager Had joined Cookin’ in 2000 in the role of ‘Sexy Guy’ and played for over a decade before he started to play ‘Manager’ and assistant director of Cookin’.

He has been featured in various Korean TV series, including ‘Arthdal Chronicles.’

Recently, he played the role of ‘Manager’ for the Broadway production of Cookin’ at New Victory Theatre in 2022.

KO, CHANGHWAN: Head Chef Has joined Cookin’ in 2008 and has been playing the role of ‘Head Chef’ since then. He has been featured in various Korean TV series such as ‘Arthdal Chronicles,’ ‘Wok of Love,’ and ‘Can’t Stop My Boss.’ He has a bachelor’s degree in Acting. Recently, he played the role of ‘Head Chef’ for the Broadway production of Cookin’at New Victory Theatre in 2022.

JUNG, MIN GOO: Sexy Guy Has joined Cookin’ in 2004 and has been playing the role of ‘Sexy Guy’ since then. He has been featured in various Korean TV series, including ‘Wok of Love.’

Recently, he played the role of ‘Sexy Guy’ for the Broadway production of Cookin’ at New Victory Theatre in 2022. He has a bachelor’s degree in Acting.

SONG, HYEJIN: Hot Sauce Has joined Cookin’ in 2015 and has been playing the ‘Hot Sauce’ role since then. She has been featured in various Korean theatre productions such as the musical ‘Wizard of Oz’ and ‘Nonsense.’ Recently, she played the role of ‘Hot Sauce’ for the Broadway production of Cookin’ at New Victory Theatre in 2022.

She has a BFA in Acting from the Seoul Institute of the Arts.

HYUN, JUNG HWAN: Nephew Has joined Cookin’ in 2007 and has been playing the role of ‘Nephew’ since then. Recently, he played the same role in the Broadway production of Cookin’ at New Victory Theatre in 2022.

LEE, DONG KEUN: Head Chef (Understudy) Recently joining Cookin’ this will be his first time working in an international theatre production. He has a bachelor’s degree in Acting.

KIM, KYUNA: Hot Sauce (Understudy) Recently joining Cookin’ this will be her first time working in an international theatre production. She has a bachelor’s degree in Acting.

CREATIVE TEAM PRODUCERS: LEE, KWANG-HO & SONG, SEUNG-WHAN LEE, KWANG-HO Is the CEO of PMC Production and PMC Networks. He has received awards, including, ‘Korea Tourism Awards (2000)’, ‘Korea Marketing Frontier (2002)’, and ‘Korea Venture Award (2008)’. He was a formal Performance Management & Planning Professor at Chungwoon University and his Ph.D. in Financial Management.

SONG, SEUNG-WHAN Is a well-known actor and producer in Korea. He has won awards such as ‘The 13th Korea Musical Awards (2007)’, ‘The 56th Seoul City Culture Awards (2007)’, ‘The 40th Rep. of Korea Culture & Arts Award (2008)’ and ‘The Korea Popular Culture & Arts Award (2012)’. He received ‘The Order of Sport Merit’ in 2019 as a recognition for his work as the Executive Artistic Director of the Opening & Closing Ceremonies of the ‘2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games.’

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: SONG, SEUNG-WHAN Is a well-known actor and producer in Korea. He has won awards such as, ‘The 13th Korea Musical Awards (2007)’, ‘The 56th Seoul City Culture Awards (2007)’, ‘The 40th Rep. of Korea Culture & Arts Award (2008)’ and ‘The Korea Popular Culture & Arts Award (2012)’. He received ‘The Order of Sport Merit’ in 2019 as a recognition for his work as the Executive Artistic Director of the Opening & Closing Ceremonies of the ‘2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games.’

BROADWAY ASIA COMPANY, LLC is among the largest production, management, and distribution companies of live entertainment throughout the global markets with focus in New York, London, Europe and Asia. Its founders, Simone Genatt and Marc Routh, are two of the most active commercial Broadway and West End producers. Over the last 25 years, theatrical productions by the Broadway International Group partners have performed in over 400 cities, 60 countries, and garnered over 56 Tony, Olivier, Grammy Awards and many other global theatrical accolades. Select live entertainment productions and attractions include: An American in Paris, The Sound of Music, Back to the Future, The Producers, Hairspray, Anastasia, Amelie, Legally Blonde, The Great Comet, Stomp, Cookin’ Nanta, Shear Madness, The Addams Family, Nice Work If You Can Get It, The King and I, Cinderella, West Side Story, 42nd Street, Rock of Ages, Immersive Great Gatsby, Immersive Doctor Who, Neverland, the Peter Pan Immersive, Murder Ballad, Tape Face, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Little Shop of Horrors, Jay Chou’s THE SECRET, Manual Cinema, ICE AGE LIVE: A Mammoth Adventure, SpongeBob SquarePants Live, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Madagascar Live, Fuerzabruta and many more. Select current productions and attractions include: Immersive Great Gatsby in New York at the Gatsby Mansion and multiple Asian territories, Anastasia in Japan, The Sound of Music International Tour, Marilyn Monroe Hollywood Experience, and Journey, an immersive technology dining attraction in New York.

COMPOSER: LEE, DONG JUN Is a music composer, and his work is mainly in films such as: ‘Green Fish,’ ‘Lost Memories,’ ‘TAEGUKGI: Brotherhood of War,’ and ‘Miracle in Cell No.7’. He won Best Music for ‘The Grand Bell Awards (1997)’ and was nominated for the ‘Blue Dragon Film Awards.’

PERCUSSION DIRECTOR: CHO, KICHEOL Has first joined the Cookin’ as an actor playing the role of ‘Manager’ and has been working as a percussion director since then. He has won multiple awards in the field of Samulnori, the traditional Korean rhythm, such as ‘Jeonju Daesaseob Nori (2001)’ and ‘Nationwide Samulnori Contest (2003)’.

CHOREOGRAPHER: KANG, OKSOON Started her career as an actor for the musicals such as ‘Guys and Dolls’ and debuted as a choreographer for Cookin’. Since then, she has been working in Musicals, Films, and TV Shows and was the choreographer of the ‘2014 Asian Games’ and ‘2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games’ Opening and Closing Ceremony.

SCENIC DESIGNER: PARK, DONGWOO Is a well-known scenic designer in Korea and has received an award from the ‘Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism of Korea’ in recognition of his work (2005 & 2018) and also won other awards, such as the ‘Korea Musical Awards (1995~1997, 2010)’ and ‘Yegreen Musical Award (2012)’. He was one of the Artistic Directors of the Opening & Closing Ceremonies of the ‘2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games.’He is currently a professor in the Scenic Design program at Hong-Ik University.

SEO, SOOKJIN Known for her work in the Musical ‘Elizabeth(2012~)’, one of the most popular musicals in Korea. She has worked on numerous musical productions, including: ‘Mozart,’ ‘Monte Cristo,’ and ‘Frankenstein.’ She won ‘Korea Musical Awards (2005)’ and is a Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti alumnus in Milan, Italy. She is currently teaching Scenic Design at Chung Kang College of Cultural Industries.

LIGHTING DESIGNER: PARK, JONGHWA Has been working as a Lighting Designer & Operation for various musical production of PMC Production, which includes: ‘Wizard of Oz,’ ‘Brothers Were Brave,’ ‘Legally Blonde,’ and ‘March of Youth.’ He is an alumnus of the Graduate School of Arts of Chung-Ang University.

KOO, YUNYOUNG Winner of the ‘Korea Musical Award (2018)’, she has been working in various theatre production, including the play ‘Oasis Laundromat,’ ‘After Midnight Club,’ and ‘Glass Menagerie’ and the musicals ‘Mary Antoinette’ and ‘Monte Christo.’

She is currently teaching Lighting Design at Chung Kang College of Cultural Industries.

SOUND DESIGNER: KIM, KIYOUNG Is one of the most well-known sound designers in the theatre field in Korea. He won the 2009 & 2011 ‘Korea Musical Awards.’ His work includes various musical productions such as: ‘Westside Story,’ ‘Mamma Mia,’ ‘Brothers Were Brave,’ ‘Nutcracker’ and ‘Les Misérables’ and popular TV shows such as ‘Phantom Singer’ and ‘Voice Korea’. In 2021, he received a commendation from the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism of Korea in the ‘Popular Culture & Art Staff Award.’

CREATIVE TEAM COSTUME DESIGNER: KIM, HEEJU MARTIAL ARTS: PARK, KYEWHA Has started his career as an actor and worked on the musical ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ and the plays like ‘Bandit’ and ‘Marriage.’ He was also a martial arts director and choreographer of the Korean non-verbal performance, ‘Jump.’

MAGIC TRICKS: KIM, JUNGWOO COOKING SKILLS: CHOI, YOSUB CREATIVE CONSULTANTS: MARCIA MILGROM DODGE Is an American director, choreographer, and writer for the stage. Dodge directed and choreographed her first Broadway production, a revival of Ragtime, in 2009. The production received 7 Tony Award nominations, including one for Dodge for Best Director of a Musical. Her Kennedy Center production of Ragtime received four 2010 Helen Hayes Awards, including one for her for Best Director, Resident Musical.

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS: CHOI, CHEOL KI From 1999-2001, he worked with Cookin’ as an associate director. He is the producer of the Korean non-verbal performance ‘Jump,’ presented in Union Square Theatre (2005), Off-Broadway. He was one of the Artistic Directors of the Opening & Closing Ceremonies of the ‘2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games.’