"The effort and determination of the Korean cast exceeded all expectations. I was so moved watching the run-through rehearsal that I burst into tears."
Matt Gould, playwright and composer of the musical 'Lempicka,' made the remarks at a press showcase and conference held at COEX Artium Woori Bank Hall in Seoul on May 26. He explained that the cast's immersion and focus, which are critical to the quality of the production, surpassed his expectations.
The musical, which depicts the tumultuous life of Art Deco icon Tamara de Lempicka, is the latest Broadway production to have been nominated in three categories at the 2024 Tony Awards. The Korean run marks the world's first licensed production of the show.
As the Korean premiere, the production posed a formidable challenge for the cast. Park Hye-na, who plays the title role of Lempicka, said, "So many stories and emotions are compressed into this work that I agonized over how to convey them convincingly to the audience." She added, "The director told me 'the music will be the answer,' and the music really did carry the emotions and helped enormously."
A defining feature of the production is the tight integration of visual imagery and music. The staging, which reveals Lempicka's life, desires, and the tensions of the era, is realized through bold colors and sculptural aesthetics, while the music actively incorporates a contemporary sensibility. Gould explained, "I wanted to create a new sound by combining pop, rock, and R&B," adding, "I believe we created a texture of music that didn't exist before by layering in techno elements and powerful beats."
The casting of real-life married couple Kim Sun-young and Kim Woo-hyung as Lempicka and Tadeusz, respectively, also drew attention. Kim Woo-hyung said, "We usually don't talk much about work at home, but this time we prepared so intensely that we rented a separate rehearsal space." Kim Sun-young added, "Being a married couple in real life allowed us to express certain aspects with greater nuance," and said, "We will bring great energy to the audience."
'Lempicka' portrays a female artist who relentlessly pursues her desires and identity despite the constraints of her era. The production team unanimously agreed the work will resonate strongly with contemporary audiences.
Kim Sun-young said, "The story of a female painter and a human being who carves out her own life unfolds with density through spectacular staging, lighting, and music," adding, "Audiences will experience a different kind of thrill from conventional musicals." Park Hye-na also described it as "a story of women who achieve and fight for what they want," saying, "Many audience members will feel both exhilaration and deep empathy at the same time."