'My Scary Girl', Musical to Debut in United States

By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter

A musical rendition of the local hit film, "My Scary Girl" will debut in the United States in July. The musical will join the lineup of the 2008 Musical Theater Lab for new musicals in development at the Barrington Stage Company (BSC).

It is the first Korean work selected by the BSC, the renowned American performing arts support group, to be presented to its theater lab.

The BSC is a well-known non-profit organization that supports the performing arts and helps new musicals in preparation debut on a trial stage on and off Broadway. The show runs in the United States from July 9 to 26.

Also, "My Scary Girl" will go to the final round in the New York Musical Festival, which will be held in fall.

Based on a 2006 Korean comedy/horror/romance film, "My Scary Girl" is the story of a man who discovers dark secrets about his new girlfriend.

Ahn Sam, an official of the Musical Heaven, the local production company, said that the U.S.-based company will provide technical and creative support by providing the theater and staff to complete the work, which is now in its initial stage.

"The BSC will help our musical to successfully debut both on and off Broadway and then in Korea. They have decided to support our musical for the fresh and creative ideas of the plot. It is very encouraging for us to support the local musical after seeing only the lyrics and musical scores through the workshop", Ahn said.

She said that some local musicals such as "The Last Empress" and "Maria Maria" have gone to Broadway, But they were the completed works that had already been put on stage in Korea, she said.

"However, this is the first attempt to make the musical from beginning to end with the support of the BSC. We hope it will appeal both to the international audience and Koreans", Ahn said.

Prominent composer Will Aronson provides the music with lyrics by Kang Kyoung-ae, who co-wrote a book with Mark St. Germain.

The musical has also been selected as the winner to receive support for the second Daegu International Musical Festival, which will take place from June 17 to July 7. It beat out 42 homegrown musical contestants with its interesting storyline and distinguished character portrayals.

The musical will also give a trial performance in Daegu Bongsan Culture Center July 5-6.

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