Photo Flash: Korean Musical Maria Maria Opens

The Korean musical Maria Maria opened Off-Broadway at Gerald W. Lynch Theatre at John Jay College on October 1st for a run through October 15th.

The show, with book and lyrics by Hye Jung Yu and music by Gyung Chan Cha, was previously chosen as an official entry to the New York Musical Theatre Festival. "In this award-winning musical, Maria is a prostitute who leads a miserable life serving Roman soldiers.  Wanting to escape her fate, she makes a deal that will change her life.  With the rising popularity of Jesus, his opponents make her an offer to seduce him. If successful, her reward is a chance to go to Rome to redeem her life."

Under the direction of Cheon Mo Seong, with choreography by In Sook Choi, Maria Maria received its world premiere in Seoul, South Korea in 2003 and will be performed by an all-Korean cast in Korean (with supertitles). Recreating their roles are original Korean cast members Hyo Sung Kang, who received the 2004 Korean Musical Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Maria, legendary Korean pop-star Bock Hee Yoon as The Blind Woman and Sang Woo Park as Jesus. The 25-member cast features Korean pop-star Sonya and Gain Choi who share the pivotal title role and Seung Chul Lee as The Pharisee.

For more information, or to order tickets, please visit www.theatermania.com.

Photos provided by O&M Origlio/Miramontez

Sonya and Hyo Sung Kang, who share the title role

Sang Woo Park, Bock Hee Yoon and Hyo Sung Kang

Choreographer Insook Choi shows off her traditional Korean dress to Hyo Sung Kang

Hyo Sung Kang (center) celebrates with fellow cast mates

Maria Maria cast members

Maria Maria cast members