By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
There is no big tension between characters, no speedy scene changes and no diverse backdrops. Instead, there is a simple stage set based on minimal design, one man and 15 women characters.
With minimal theatrical elements, the musical, ``Nine'' kicked off its more than one-month run with an opening performance Tuesday.
The number ``9'' that is projected on a big screen fades away and the musical begins with Italian genius film director Guido Contini, played by actor Hwang Jung-min, talking to himself.
The scene then depicts the intertwining reality and fantasy of Guido's life with 15 female characters each talking to him simultaneously.
The musical is based on an Italian play by Mario Fratti inspired by Federico Fellini's autobiographical film ``8 1/2'' and focuses on the film director Guido Contini.
The first Korean rendition deals with Guido's struggles at the age of 40, which thrusts him into an emotional tailspin that threatens to destroy his personal and professional life.
It focuses on Guido's midlife crisis, which blocks his creativity, entangling him in a web of romantic difficulties in early-1960s Venice.
Among the women in his life are wife Luisa and 15 other women, which include producer Liliane La Fleur, mistress Carla, protege Claudia and his deceased mother.
The scenes bring reality and dream-like effects to the stage with more dramatic dialogues and monologues, rather than relying on musical numbers.
Hwang well portrays Guido's problem of being trapped in the emotional state of a nine-year-old boy, and in the physical body of a 40-year-old, while the pressure to deliver a successful piece of work drives him to a point where his private and professional life is blurred.
Hwang doesn't lose his stage prowess at all and sings powerfully with mesmerizing charisma, although some faster-paced lyrics are hard to understand.
Hwang's performance of the troubled Italian director proves his strong presence on stage, even though he has only concentrated on films over the last four years. Also, the female characters' singing and acting abilities are superb.
But the musical's reputation might hinge on Hwang taking the only male cast role among 15 women, as Hollywood star Antonio Banderas did in 2003's Broadway revival of ``Nine.''
Hwang's charisma saves the audience from a slightly boring and loose story because the show explores Guido's mentality with dream-like effects and a somewhat tactless character composition under the simple storyline.
Although the stage sets are minimal, a clinical mixture of metal staircases, platforms, supports, especially the backdrop of flowing water, is quite intriguing.
Also, the musical tries to not lose its humor by adding some entertaining factors such as the flamboyant choreography mixed with 17th century operatic parody.
The musical's reputation isn't quite as established as other Broadway musicals, but it scored big success both in commercial and critical aspects in Broadway.
The Korean production is directed by veteran director David Swan who worked in several Korean hit productions such as ``Man of La Mancha'' and ``All Shook Up.''
``Nine'' premiered in 1982 on Broadway and was nominated in 10 categories of Tony Awards and won five of them, including the Best Revival Award.
In the Korean production of the musical, award-winning actress Kim Sun-young will play the part of Luisa, Guido's wife. Kang Pil-suk will alternate playing the role of Guido with Hwang.
The musical will run through March 2 at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul.
Tickets cost from 30,000 won to 120,000 won. For more information, call 1588-5212.