HERO: THE MUSICAL Opens At Lincoln Center 8/23

The Award-Winning Korean sensation Hero: The Musical will make its American debut on August 23, 2011 for a limited engagement at Lincoln Center. This historical story of patriotism, passion, love and sacrifice, which wowed audiences in Korea, will play at the David H. Koch Theater through September 3, 2011, allowing international audiences the opportunity to experience this wonderful production.

This Korean, Broadway style musical is complete with a lush score, exciting projections, and elaborate scenery. The centerpiece of the production's design is a life-size railway car, which evokes the period and serves as an integral part of the dramatic climax. Ultimately, Hero, is a moving and haunting story of patriotism and sacrifice in the pursuit of justice.

Commissioned to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the death of patriotic leader An Chunggun, Hero: The Musical premiered in Seoul in 2009 and was quickly hailed by critics as the best musical of the past 40 years in Korea. Presented by ACOM International, the lavish production played to sold out crowds for all 80 of its inaugural performances. The production went on to win all the major awards in the annual Korean musical theater award ceremonies including Best Musical, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Music.

With book and lyrics by A Reum Han, Music by Sang Joon Oh, and Orchestration by Peter Casey, Hero: The Musical tells the epic story of activist An Chunggun who sacrificed his life in the fight to preserve Korean independence and attain peace in Asia. Chunggun was executed in Japan on March 26, 1910 after facing trial for his involvement in the assassination of Japanese leader Ito Hirobumi, who is considered instrumental in the Japanese invasion of Korea. Over a century later, Chunggun's body remains in Japan, but his legacy as a hero lives on in his homeland of Korea. Hero: The Musical brings to life this patriotic tale of heroism in the first Korean Broadway-style musical to be shown overseas.

Hero: The Musical depicts both historical and fictitious characters. The cast includes Sung Hwa Jung as An Chuggun, Sung Gee Kim as Ito Hirobumi, Sang Eun Lee as Sorhui, and Mi Do Jeun as Lingling. The cast also includes Sung Hyuk Moon, Hwee Cho, Jin Woong Lim, Eui UK Jeong, Yong Hee Lim, Gi Young Chang, Young Wan Kim, and Hong Seok Suh.

Led by legendary director Ho Jin Yun, considered the father of musical theater in Korea, the creative team includes musical Director Moon Jyung Kim, choreography Ran Young Lee, Scenic Designer Dong Woo Park, Costume Designer Ji Yeon Kim, Lighting Designer Yun Young Koo, Sound Designer Do Kyung Kwon, Make-up and Hair Designer Hee Sun Yang, and Prop Designer Hee Jung Im.

Performances at the David H. Koch Theater, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY, will run from August 23 through September 3rd, 2011.

Tuesday-Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30pm and 7:30pm. The running time of the show is 2 hours 30 minutes with 1 intermission.

Tickets may be purchased online, by phone at 212-721-6500 or at the box office. The box office is open Monday 10am-7:30pm, Tuesday-Saturday 10am-8:30 pm, and Sunday 11:30am-7:30pm.

For more information visit http://www.musical-hero.com/Hero/index.htm

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