"I Cried Watching Rehearsals, Korean Actors Are the Best"... Asian Premiere of Art Musical "Lempicka"

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[The Financial News] The musical "Lempicka" is making its Asian premiere, bringing the work to Korean audiences for the first time.
Opening on the 21st at Woori Bank Hall, Coex Artium, "Lempicka" is a new Broadway production that was nominated in three categories at the 2024 Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre (Tony Awards).
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The piece portrays the life of real-life painter Tamara de Lempicka, who preserved her artistic identity amid the upheavals of the early 20th century, including the Russian Revolution and the World Wars. Dubbed the "Queen of Art Deco," Lempicka’s dramatic life story is reimagined as an "art musical" with a contemporary pop-rock sound.
This production brings together director Rachel Chavkin, who won the Tony Award for direction with "Hadestown," playwright Carson Kreitzer, known for narratives based on historical figures, and composer Matt Gould, acclaimed for his genre-blending music.
The stage combines sleek visual design rooted in the geometric aesthetics of Art Deco with bold lighting, offering an experience akin to viewing a painting. In particular, the use of color in the lighting becomes a key device for revealing the characters’ inner worlds.
At a press conference on the 27th, playwright Carson Kreitzer remarked, "As we developed this piece over many years, we thought a great deal about color," adding, "Blue creates a fantastic effect in the lighting, but Lempicka herself was someone who loved green." She continued, "Rafaela is a character who brings in a wide spectrum of colors and expands the visual texture of the work as a whole."
Emphasizing the contemporaneity and freshness of the score, Gould combines classical melodies with pop, rock, and Rhythm and Blues (R&B) to craft a new kind of narrative that goes beyond the conventions of a typical biographical musical.
He explained, "Just as Lempicka did in her own time, I wanted to create music that feels fresh in this era as well," and added, "By blending jazz elements and romantic scoring with industrial, techno-like beats, we created a sound that feels 'cool and new.'"
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The "dream casting" assembled for the Korean premiere is another major draw. The title role of Tamara de Lempicka, who protects her life and art amid turbulent times, is shared by Kim Sun-young, Park Hye-na, and Jeong Sun-ah, each presenting a distinct interpretation of Lempicka.
The role of Rafaela, Tamara’s fatal muse and a free spirit, is played by Cha Ji-yeon, Rina, and Son Seung-yeon, who bring a powerful presence to the stage.
They are joined by Kim Ho-young and Cho Hyung Kyun as Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, a futurist who dreams of innovation; Kim Woo-hyung and Kim Min-cheol as Tadeusz Łempicki, Tamara’s husband and supporter; and Choi Jung-won and Kim Hye-mi as Suzy Solidor, a central figure in Parisian high society, promising a highly polished production.
The creative team expressed deep admiration for the energy of the cast. Composer Matt Gould said, "Korean actors are the most talented and generous people I have ever worked with," and continued, "Watching the rehearsals moved me to tears; it was so beautiful, and I felt a bond that transcended language."
Associate director Kim Tae-hoon, who is working on the Korean premiere, commented, "I am delighted that we can bring a work that caused a sensation on Broadway to Korean audiences so quickly," adding, "The creative team’s attempts to go beyond the traditional musical form resonate closely with the life of Lempicka herself." He went on, "The piece follows the journey of a woman artist who refuses to be broken by the violence of her era and proves herself through art," and added, "It will offer profound resonance for contemporary audiences as well."
jashin@fnnews.com Shin Jin-ah Reporter