Seoul's theater district is experiencing a vibrant season with three standout productions that offer audiences a chance to disconnect from digital distractions and immerse themselves in live performance. The Great Gatsby, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Red Book are captivating theatergoers across generations with their unique blend of entertainment, artistic challenge, and emotional resonance.
The Great Gatsby, adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald's iconic novel, brings the excess and fragility of the Roaring Twenties to vivid life on stage. The production features lavish sets, glittering costumes, and a jazz-infused musical score that recreates the decadence of Gatsby's legendary parties while exploring deeper themes of love, ambition, and illusion. What makes this production particularly remarkable is its Korean origins – developed by an ambitious Korean producer, the show made its debut on Broadway before transferring to London's West End, where it continues to run. This represents a rare achievement in musical theater, with the show running simultaneously in three major cities around the world.
OD Company's production of The Great Gatsby is currently playing at GS Arts Center through November 9, performed in English with Korean subtitles. The show's international success marks a significant milestone for Korean theater production on the global stage.
Mrs. Doubtfire, based on the beloved 1993 film, has returned to Seoul with its second Korean production, featuring a star-studded cast. When the musical first premiered in Korea in 2022, the country achieved a unique distinction in the theater world by becoming the first nation to stage a licensed, non-replica version of the Broadway show – an unusual accomplishment in an industry where international productions typically follow strict templates from their original versions.
This year's production marks the highly anticipated musical theater return of Hwang Jung-min, one of Korea's most acclaimed and respected actors. He shares the demanding lead role of Daniel Hillard with seasoned performers Jung Sung-hwa and Jung Sang-hoon in an alternating cast arrangement. The role is particularly challenging, requiring approximately 20 costume transformations per performance while combining elements of physical comedy, demanding choreography, and emotional depth that tests even the most experienced musical theater performers.
The Korean production's excellence was recognized at the 2023 Korea Musical Awards, where it won both producer and costume design awards. Mrs. Doubtfire continues its run through December 7 at Charlotte Theater in Jamsil, located in eastern Seoul, and is performed entirely in Korean.
Standing alongside these international adaptations is Red Book, a Korean original musical that has become a source of tremendous pride within the local theater community. Set against the backdrop of Victorian England, the production tells the compelling story of Anna, a young woman who boldly challenges the rigid social conventions of her era by publishing revolutionary ideas under a carefully chosen pen name. The musical combines clever, witty writing with a melodic and memorable score, successfully blending period charm and historical authenticity with themes that resonate powerfully with contemporary audiences.
What distinguishes Red Book in the current theater landscape is how effectively its central themes of gender equality, personal identity, and freedom of expression continue to speak directly to modern audiences. Now in its fourth successful run since its original premiere in 2019, the musical showcases three of Korea's most celebrated female performers – Ock Joo-hyun, Ivy, and Min Kyung-ah – who alternate in the challenging role of Anna. The production is performed entirely in Korean without subtitles, emphasizing its connection to local audiences.
Red Book continues its current run at Universal Arts Center until December 7, with Min Kyung-ah delivering standout performances of signature songs including "I'm a Nasty Woman." Together, these three productions demonstrate Seoul's theater scene's remarkable ability to balance international sophistication with homegrown creativity, offering audiences diverse options that span from jazz-age American classics to contemporary Korean storytelling.
