Fred Newman's COMING OF AGE IN KOREA Runs Through 3/1

The off-Broadway Castillo Theatre (www.castillo.org) presents Fred Newman's Coming of Age in Korea, co-directed by Gabrielle L. Kurlander and Desmond Richardson, which tells the story of three GIs, who fall in love with South Korean prostitutes, one of whom is brutally raped and killed..

Coming of Age in Korea: Friday, January 16 and runs through March 1, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m., at the Castillo Theatre, 543 West 42nd Street admission $35 adults; $10 students: Book and lyrics are by Newman. Music is by Grammy nominated songwriter Annie Roboff ("This Kiss"). Co-director Desmond Richardson is artistic director and co-founder (with Dwight Roden) of the critically acclaimed Complexions Dance Company. He was a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, the Frankfurt Ballet and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In 1998, Richardson joined the premiere cast of the Broadway musical Fosse for which he received a 1999 Tony Award nomination. Gabrielle L. Kurlander the President and CEO of the All Stars Project, brings to the production her experience in the commercial theatre (National Tour of the Broadway production of Biloxi Blues) as well as two decades acting in and directing avant-garde and political theatre.

For decades, according to recent accusations by former prostitutes, the South Korean government and the United States military had a direct hand in the sex trade - enabling prostitution as a perk for American soldiers, even though selling sex is illegal in Korea. Coming of Age in Korea playwright Fred Newman, who served in Korea in 1954-1955, wrote this story in 1996 -- 12 years prior to these revelations. Like many stationed in Korea, he had long been aware of the military unofficially encouraging prostitution.

The multimedia musical includes 13 original songs by Newman and Roboff, with choreography by Richardson. The music encompasses the range of 20th Century American popular music, from Swing to Doo-Wop, and from Rhythm and Blues to Country. The Show will take place from January 16 - March 1, 2009 at Castillo Theatre.

To purchase tickets and for more information, please visit: www.castillo.org or call at 212-356-8449

Friday, January 16 - Sunday, March 1, 2009
Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

Castillo Theatre, 543 West 42nd Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues).

Admission: $35 adults; $10 students; TDF accepted; group rate available

 

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