[The Interview] What’s behind the roaring success of Broadway’s first Asian sole lead producer

A musical producer here has been making remarkable strides on stages both at home and overseas.
Ultimately he hopes to put on the global stage a theatrical production in Korean to prove that language is no barrier in musicals.
Our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin met up with him.

“The party’s roaring on. The party’s roaring on.”

Just like the lyrics, Shin Chun-soo’s career is roaring on.
A trailblazer in Korean theater, he’s the president and main producer of OD COMPANY, one of the country’s leading musical production companies.
This year, he made history as the first Asian to serve as the sole lead producer of a Broadway musical.
“The Great Gatsby,” a stage adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, has been running at the Broadway Theatre since April, grossing over a million dollars every week since its opening, and even winning a Tony Award for Best Costume Design.

And the momentum doesn’t stop there.
Next year, the production will make its West End debut.
So, what’s the secret to crafting a musical that’s set to perform at the world’s two greatest theatre capitals?

“The Great Gatsby is a timeless masterpiece, with themes like the pursuit of love and struggles across social classes that feel so relevant today. We wanted the production to feel like one grand party, combining dazzling stage aesthetics with a powerful sense of tragedy.”

But Gatsby is just one chapter in Shin’s career.
Back at home, the beloved Korean production of “Jekyll & Hyde” is gearing up for its ninth season.

“Jekyll & Hyde helped me establish myself as a producer. At the time, it was seen as revolutionary, bringing together fresh talent, from actors and staff to producers. For this 20th anniversary production, we’ve focused on every detail, crafting it as a gift not just for the audience, but for ourselves as well.”

With a repertoire that includes hits like “Grease,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Man of La Mancha,” and “Il Tenore,” how does he decide which stories to bring to life?

“Classic literature has universal emotions that connect with everyone, and classic musicals have songs that leave a lasting impression. Sometimes, I take risks with experimental works that push boundaries, but at the heart of it all is my commitment to creating high-quality productions for the audience.”

Shin also shared his vision for bringing Korean musicals to a broader audience.

“I remember meeting a British producer in 2001 who was surprised to hear Korea even had musicals. Now, with our growing cultural and economic influence, Korean musicals are gaining global attention. To keep growing, we must see the world as our stage, and support young talent to create works with universal appeal.”

And he’ll keep working hard to make this happen.

“My next goal is to stage a production with Korean actors, performed in Korean. I believe musicals can transcend language, and this will showcase the talent of our actors and the excellence of Korean musicals.”

It’s a decades-long passion that’s driving Korean musicals to new heights on the world stage.

Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.
source : https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=278509