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Goodbye Girls

Se-jin & Yu-jin are heading to Canada.

There parents really want them to experience living abroad for a year.

They are full of humor and happiness and I think Vancouver will be quite lucky to have them.

La MaMa presents Byungkoo Ahn’s HAMYUL/HAMLET

A leading organization dedicated to theatrical productions, La MaMa presents the premiere of HAMYUL: HAMLET, an adaptation of the Shakespearean classic directed by Korean American writer/director Byung Koo Ahn. Broadway World reports that stage actor Young Kun Song, known for his outstanding performances in both Korean and Western productions, will play Hamyul/Hamlet.

The adaptation itself is a re-interpretation of Prince Hamyul: Korean Hamlet, the work of Ahn’s own father, Min Soo Ahn. The play was first performed in 1977 at La MaMa by Donrang Repertory Theatre, which became the first Korean theatre troupe to perform abroad.

Set in ancient Korea, the play presents an Eastern understanding of the West, taking the audience through Korean shamanic ceremonies and court traditions with a multi-cultural cast from Korea, Japan and the United States. The parallel story portrays the complex psychological journey of Hamyul, beautifully adapting the original classic to move the hearts of a modern audience. The full description of the play can be found here. Shows are scheduled through July 10.

Tickets can be purchased for $25 ($20 for students and seniors) either online or by calling La MaMa at 212-475-7710.

[Photos: Chun ik Chang/BWW News Desk]

group shows

This month, I participated in two group shows. We had our openings on the same night because the locations were near to one another and a few of the artists were in both shows.

So here is the first one.

[Lightworks]

a group exhibition

light = productivity

{These pictures are from my film camera, so the ones of my artwork and myself are a little dim. I think it goes pretty swell with my piece, which is based on a national geographic photograph of Aswan, Egypt during the summer solstice. }

{{Conceptual Society}}

a group exhibition

array of artists using different media to express the way we each participate in society

{ the last artwork is mine, the shell painting, titled Iridescent Reconstruction, I used abalone shells from the shore in Busan }

Both openings had a wonderful turn out. Some artists have sold their works thus far, and it feels good to have two shows in one month, with such a collective art community.

Performance: Little Shop of Horrors (Camarata Music Company)

The ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ has aged nicely, considering it was copyrighted the same year I was born. The story is straightforward enough: geeky Seymour, an orphan taken in by Mr. Mushnik (left), and his ‘not-so-secret’ crush Audrey, both work at Mr. Mushnik ‘skid row’ flower shop. I was too busy taking photos to note how accurate the Korean subtitles were, but the Korean audience seemed to laugh in all the right places. His face isn’t visible in this picture, but the wino (center, on ground) is the only Korean actor in the production.

Seymour with his discovery of a mysterious plant, still pretty small this early in the first act.

As the fame of this mysterious plant spreads and Seymour is invited to speak on the radio, the gang anxiously listens.

A photographer’s note: this is where my most recent acquisition – a Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 ultra wide-angle lens – came in really handy. I’m sitting in the front row with Kiwi and have plenty of room to spare – with no distortions either!

The trio of singers were either on stage or just off-stage (but still present in the scene) for much of the show.

Audrey with a broken arm from her pain-loving boyfriend.

It’s during this song that we learn the pain-loving boyfriend’s preferred occupation.

 

Orin giving Seymour a piece of his mind – note the plant’s growth, which was the result of all the blood Seymour had been offering.

Kiwi felt that Mushnik (in real life, Christopher Mullins) was one of the best actors on the stage.

Some very cute dancing between two of the principal actors.

Seymour trying to negotiate with a plant – it’s here when the idea comes to rid the world of Orin.

After attaching a gas mask to enjoy some nitrous oxide, Orin discovers he can’t get the gas mask off. Somehow I figured singing with a gas mask on would be difficult on, but David Lohmann made it work quite well.

The off-stage quartet of musicians provided some excellent accompaniment, nicely balanced sound with the vocalists, and despite the modern electronic nature of the instruments, they fit the soundtrack quite well.

There’s no orchestra pit to speak of, and (probably) not enough room off-stage for the band; that said, the action on-stage was nicely visible from virtually every seat in the house.

I was a bit busy with the picture-taking to take in this particular plot point… but Kang Hoon (right) deserves some serious credit for pulling off at least five named roles and a couple interesting costume changes.

Audrey gets fed to Audrey 2.

Don’t feed the plants!

A curtain call, sans curtain.

As usual, the Camarata Music Company put together an excellent show with few difficulties apparent. A couple of feedback issues with the sound, which were quickly resolved. I just wish the show could’ve gone on for more than one weekend, but the Haechi Hall space was a good one to use, for what it’s worth.

For more information about Camarata Music Company and their upcoming performances, check out camaratamusic.com.

Creative Commons License © Chris Backe – 2011
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

This post was originally published on my blog, Chris in South Korea. If you are reading this on another website and there is no linkback or credit given, you are reading an UNAUTHORIZED FEED.

 

Summer Staples (Great for picnics and get togethers!)


image courtesy google

The name of the food is hidden in the link, so just read the link to see what tasty treat you could create!

***Salads Galore:

*Pasta Salads:

http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2011/05/italian-pasta-salad.html
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/sesame-pasta-chicken-salad/detail.aspx
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/blt-pasta-salad/detail.aspx
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/taco-pasta-salad/detail.aspx
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2010/04/macaroni-salad.html

*Fruit Salads: (A wide variety of canned fruits at Home Plus)

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/ambrosia-fruit-salad/detail.aspx
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/sunday-best-fruit-salad/detail.aspx
**tip** Use yogurt as a base with any mix of fruit to create a cool,creamy fruit salad in minutes! (You can also sprinkle with a little cinnamon or nutmeg for a little spice, or sweeten it up even more with some mini marshmallows!!)

*Veggie Salads:

http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2011/06/fattoush-lebanese-salad.html
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2010/11/eriks-broccoli-salad.html
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2010/04/cucumber-salad.html

*Chicken Salads:

http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2010/08/cabbage-chicken-salad-with-rame...
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/holiday-chicken-salad/detail.aspx
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/fruity-curry-chicken-salad/detail.aspx
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2010/04/dijon-chicken-salad.html

*Green Salads with your favorite Dressing:

http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2011/06/ranch-dressing-or-dip.html
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2011/06/grandmas-dressing-catalina-styl...
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2011/06/honey-mustard-dressing.html
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2011/06/italian-dressing-mix.html
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2011/06/raspberry-vinaigrette.html

***Dip the Day Away:

*Sweet:

http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2010/12/cookie-dough-dips.html
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2010/04/annies-fruit-salsa-and-cinnamon...
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2010/05/chocolate-syrup.html

*Savory:

http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2011/01/disappearing-taco-dip.html
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2010/12/black-eyed-pea-dip.html
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2010/12/easy-cheese-ball.html
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2010/04/layered-black-bean-dip.html
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2010/04/hummus.html
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2011/06/ranch-dressing-or-dip.html
**Tip** Try mixing equal parts Salsa and sour cream/cream cheese for a yummy dip with tortilla chips! :)

***Cool Treats:

http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2011/06/homemade-vanilla-pudding.html
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2011/06/homemade-chocolate-pudding.html
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2010/12/choc-chip-cookies-ovenless-styl...
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2010/10/south-african-dessert-milktart....
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2010/04/sarahs-applesauce.html
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2010/04/easy-cheesecake.html
http://ovenlesschef.blogspot.com/2011/06/no-bake-peanut-butter-pie.html

**Get creative and find ways to cook yummy meals that won't heat up the kitchen too much this summer!
**Try adding flavor to your meals by soaking your meats or veggies in your favorite marinade!
**Freeze your leftover coffee in the mornings in Ice cube trays for a refresshing iced Coffee after work... or if you need a morning perk without the sweat!
**Utilize those fresh seasonla fruits and veggies to create cool snacks and meals!
**Buy clearanced fruit that is starting to turn and cut them up, freeze them and use them for inexpensive smoothies or make a crisp for a fresh dessert!


Want to make a yummy fruit dip? Can't find marshmallow creme? Try this recipe:
http://www.grouprecipes.com/58165/home-made-marshmallow-fluff.html
and combine like so:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/fruit-dip-ii/detail.aspx

For some summer sips check out this post:
http://grabafork.blogspot.com/2011/06/summer-sips.html

Happy Fourth of July from the Ovenless Chef!

Epic Day of Epicness Part 2

A while back Dave decided to have part 2 of Epic Day of Epicness – a day in which a bunch of us engage in a bunch of random fun stuff. It’s nice to get out and explore Daegu. We got some Kebabs, tried shooting targets and eventually ended up a French restaurant which was superb. 

Homemade Vanilla Pudding

2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup 2% milk
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Gradually stir in milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat.
Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolk; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 1 minute longer. Remove from the heat. Gently stir in butter and vanilla.
Cool for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to dessert dishes. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Courtesy allrecipes

Homemade Chocolate Pudding

1/2 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 3/4 cups milk
2 tablespoons margarine or butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


In a saucepan, stir together sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt. Place over medium heat, and stir in milk. Bring to a boil, and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. Remove from heat, and stir in margarine and vanilla. Let cool briefly, and serve warm, or chill in refrigerator until serving.

courtesy allrecipes

yellow fever

I've got it. Bad.

How did this happen to me? I don't know but I am sure glad it did...

Been watching Taeyang music videos all day while deskwarming
(you can't tell me he is not gorgeous and be serious...)

also bought some socks with Taeyang on them this weekend (exhibit A) and am pretty excited about going to this concert (Taeyang and G-Dragon and TOP, oh my!) in August.



Who would have thought I would love it Korea (and their sexy men!) so much, getting so sad to leave!!

Ellie Teacher

onedayillflyaway.com

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