Musical 'Memphis' and Musical 'The Bridges of Madison County' [Kim Deok-hee's Onstage]

[Financial News] One of the questions that I never miss as a musical producer is 'Why do people watch musicals?' Ticket prices are not cheap, it is difficult to get the desired seat, you have to make appointments with companions, and you have to go to the theater at a set time. Moreover, there is a lack of information on which performances are interesting. On the other hand, compared to movies or dramas that can be watched at home or on a smartphone at a low cost without being restricted by time and place, watching a performance can be an inconvenient choice.
Nevertheless, the reason audiences visit the theater is because of the irreplaceable and unreplicable presence of the performance that can only be experienced at that time and place. The elements that amplify that presence are music, dance, stage art, and the actors. And the story that forms the foundation of the performance is also very important. In the case of stories, while movies or dramas mainly stimulate the audience's curiosity through new stories, musicals often deal with stories that are already known. This difference is due to the characteristics of the genre, and there are complex reasons, so let's just know that musicals prefer well-known and universal themes and move on.
The musical 'Memphis' is a work based on the true story of the legendary DJ Dewey Phillips, who introduced black music to white society in the southern city of Memphis, USA, in the 1950s. Dewey made a significant contribution to the popularization of black music and is credited with laying the groundwork for the rock and roll revolution of the 1950s. Another work, 'The Bridges of Madison County', is based on a novel published in 1992 by American author Robert James Waller. The story is set in Madison County, Iowa, USA, in the 1960s and deals with the four-day love between a housewife, Francesca, and a photographer, Robert.
How are the stories of black music in Memphis, southern USA, in the 1950s, and the romance of middle-aged men and women in Madison County, Iowa, USA, in the 1960s, meeting audiences at the Chungmu Art Center Grand Theater and the Gwanglim Art Center BBCH Hall in Seoul, Korea, in 2025? From the synopsis alone, it may seem like a story of overcoming discrimination through the power of music in an era of racial discrimination and a fleeting romance of middle-aged men and women that came by chance, but musicals draw the audience in with familiar stories as new stories and experiences beyond the story.
In the original novel 'The Bridges of Madison County', Francesca wrote, "I have been faithful to my family all my life, so in death, I will choose Robert." It is not to advocate adultery, but anyone may live with a piece of pure love in their heart. The precarious emotions of the two protagonists are richly captured through very challenging songs, conveying excitement, joy, and despair. Thus, music breathes life into the story, and the highlight of the performance is the husband's song at the end. By capturing the time of life after the two protagonists have parted in one number, it shows that Francesca harbored love for Robert but was also faithful to her family. The emotional impact of the musical, different from novels or movies, is completed with musical scenes.
'Memphis' in the Korean performance focused on showcasing black music rather than racial conflict. Korean actors do not mimic black music and dance but present songs and dances of remarkably high quality, drawing the audience into the performance. By showing a high-level stage of a grand theater show musical, it presents the best stage that can only be experienced in the theater. It makes the audience feel the experience of becoming one through music and dance beyond racial conflict.
Do not conclude that the story of the musical is obvious just by looking at the promotional materials. The story of the musical contains a deep lingering impression beyond the summarized synopsis. So, if you book a ticket right away and run to the theater, you will find yourself shedding tears, your heart pounding, and your body swaying to the seemingly obvious story. 







jashin@fnnews.com Shin Jin-a Reporter