[REVIEW] NCT’s Doyoung exceeds expectations in ‚The Man Who Laughs‘

[review] Nct's Doyoung Exceeds Expectations In 'the Man Who Laughs'

Doyoung of K-pop boy band NCT stars as Gwynplaine in the musical 'The Man Who Laughs,' which runs through March 9 at the Seoul Arts Center's Opera Theater. Courtesy of SM Entertainment

Doyoung of Okay-pop boy band NCT stars as Gwynplaine within the musical „The Man Who Laughs,“ which runs by means of March 9 on the Seoul Arts Heart’s Opera Theater. Courtesy of SM Leisure

By Pyo Kyung-min

Recognized for his hovering vocals in NCT, Doyoung is now commanding a special form of stage — musical theater. Enjoying the disfigured but resilient Gwynplaine in „The Man Who Laughs,“ he delivers a efficiency that blends uncooked feelings with vocal finesse, turning the Seoul Arts Heart’s Opera Theater right into a gathering place for NCT followers and musical theater lovers alike.

Opening on Jan. 9, the musical „The Man Who Laughs“ is produced by EMK Musical Firm, one in all Korea’s main theater corporations, and relies on the novel of the identical identify by the Nineteenth-century French creator Victor Hugo.

Set in Seventeenth-century England, a time of maximum class division, „The Man Who Laughs“ follows Gwynplaine, who had been disfigured at a younger age by the infamous Comprachicos — youngster traffickers who mutilate kidnapped kids for the leisure of the aristocracy. Left with a everlasting, grotesque smile, Gwynplaine turns into a clown in a touring troupe. Nonetheless, his life takes an sudden flip when the key of his noble lineage is uncovered, catapulting him into the ranks of the aristocracy in a single day.

The stage adaptation was written and directed by Robert Johanson, with music composed by Frank Wildhorn, identified for his works „Jekyll & Hyde,“ „Synaro“ and „Mata Hari.“

A scene from the musical 'The Man Who Laughs' / Courtesy of EMK Musical Company

A scene from the musical „The Man Who Laughs“ / Courtesy of EMK Musical Firm

At present in its fourth run, the manufacturing has drawn audiences since its 2018 premiere, with powerhouse vocalists corresponding to Park Hyo-shin, Lee Seok-hoon and Suho of Okay-pop act EXO and stage stars Park Eun-tae and Park Kang-hyun having taken on the enduring lead function of Gwynplaine.

Enjoying the demanding function of a person together with his face forcefully disfigured right into a everlasting smile, Doyoung is an addition to the Gwynplaine roster for this run. This marks the NCT singer’s return to the musical stage after 4 years since his musical debut in „Marie Antoinette.“

Whereas Doyoung’s casting instantly led some musical diehards to query whether or not his restricted expertise would measure up, his efficiency proved the NCT vocalist was greater than able to holding his personal amongst his Gwynplaine predecessors.

The Opera Theater on Jan. 21 noticed NCT followers packing the venue nicely earlier than the present, many wanting to witness their beloved singer thrive on the musical stage. When the lights lastly dimmed and Doyoung stepped onstage — his face painted with an eerie purple grin — the viewers fell right into a hushed anticipation.

Doyoung, left, plays Gwynplaine, the lead in the musical 'The Man Who Laughs,' which runs through March 9 at the Seoul Arts Center's Opera Theater. Courtesy of SM Entertainment

Doyoung, left, performs Gwynplaine, the lead within the musical „The Man Who Laughs,“ which runs by means of March 9 on the Seoul Arts Heart’s Opera Theater. Courtesy of SM Leisure

Doyoung reciprocated the vitality with a dynamic efficiency, balancing Gwynplaine’s comedic moments with deep-seated sorrow. Whereas Doyoung’s appearing nonetheless had room for enchancment — with traces of his idol persona lingering — his vigorous charms shone by means of the whole three-hour efficiency.

His vocal prowess was the spotlight of the evening, particularly obvious within the present’s climactic quantity, „Open Your Eyes,“ the place he confronts the queen and aristocrats within the Parliament, revealing his disfigured mouth. Delivering piercing excessive notes with crystalline readability, Doyoung’s anguished plea to the ruling elite reverberated by means of the corridor, drawing a roar of passionate applause from the viewers as in the event that they have been in a Okay-pop live performance.

Then shifting to defiance, Doyoung used fluid dance strikes honed by means of his idol profession in one other quantity, „The Man Who Laughs,“ seamlessly expressing the character’s rage in opposition to the harshness of actuality — a efficiency that merged his Okay-pop instincts with theatrical depth.

With actors Park Eun-tae, Lee Seok-hoon and Tremendous Junior vocalist Kyuhyun alternating within the lead function alongside Doyoung, „The Man Who Laughs“ runs by means of March 9.

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