Mamma Mia!

Returning as a sit-down engagement, Mamma Mia! offers a familiar yet satisfying Broadway experience built on manual staging and strong ensemble energy. A standout Sophie anchors the production, supported by lively performances and an engaged orchestra. Despite its familiarity, the show proved immersive and emotionally rewarding.

Beetlejuice

Justin Collette’s Beetlejuice dominated the stage with precise timing, seamless movement between script and ad-lib, and an instinctive grasp of audience attention. In a production built on timing and execution, strong lighting and a well-balanced cast helped the show land cleanly.

Hell's Kitchen

Hell’s Kitchen reimagines Alicia Keys’s youth through Ali, a 17-year-old searching for purpose in Manhattan Plaza. With Jersey’s overprotection, Knuck’s struggles, and Miss Liza Jane’s guidance, Ali learns that real change comes from within, not from the world around her.

Wicked – International Tour in Korea

The 2025 international tour brought Wicked to Korea with a mostly Australian cast. Strong voices and staging mirrored Broadway, though uneven amplification and pared-down mechanics stood out. Glinda was perky with big vibrato endings, Elphaba soared in Defying Gravity, and the Wizard shone vocally.

Wicked

At Broadway’s Gershwin Theatre, Wicked dazzled with its towering, layered staging and immersive effects. From my right balcony seat, reverb softened diction and “Defying Gravity” lacked impact, but strong performances and breathtaking visuals made it a magical experience worth revisiting.

Gypsy

Audra McDonald’s electrifying Rose anchors this raw Gypsy at the renovated Majestic. Jordan Tyson’s fierce June, Joy Woods’ transformative Louise, and Danny Burstein’s warm Herbie shine in a staging that trades Phantom’s grandeur for grit, exposing obsession, delusion, and parental ambition’s cost.

Chicago

Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre delivered razor-sharp minimalism that felt truly spectacular. With visible musicians, bold staging, and biting wit, it turned restraint into power. Standout performances, especially from Amos and Roxie, left a lasting emotional punch.

Heathers

Heathers turns high school cliques into a darkly comic rock musical full of power games, rebellion, and casual killings. With an unhinged JD, standout Heathers, and electric audience energy, the show is both chilling and thrilling — a cult favorite that hits with teenage intensity.

Just In Time

Just in Time tells Bobby Darin’s story with Jonathan Groff’s sweat, charm, and powerhouse vocals. From “Splish Splash” to “Mack the Knife” and “Beyond the Sea,” Groff commands the stage, turning Darin’s life into a heartfelt, showbiz celebration that shimmers with soul.

Maybe Happy Ending

Maybe Happy Ending, a Korean musical set in future Seoul, tells the story of Oliver and Claire, helper robots who discover love and vulnerability. With clever staging, subtle Korean details, and upbeat music, the Broadway production felt fresh, heartfelt, and unforgettable.

Vital's The Wizard of Oz

A 55-minute Wizard of Oz at Vital Theatre charmed with simplicity, warm interactions, and live voices without mics. Families with young children enjoyed the show, and for me it was a pleasant way to revisit the songs and story ahead of seeing Wicked.

Cabaret

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club was immersive and unsettling, with Orville Peck’s eerie Emcee and Eva Noblezada’s raw, desperate Sally Bowles. Price Waldman and Elena Harvey gave heartbreak as Schultz and Schneider. Brass-heavy music, tight staging, and haunting themes left a lasting chill.

& Juliet

& Juliet reimagines Shakespeare’s tragedy with a pop-fueled, empowering twist. Gianna Harris is feisty and clear-voiced as Juliet, while Joey Fatone earns cheers as Lance. With Max Martin hits and clever staging, it’s a lively Broadway night where Juliet claims her own story.

Les Misérables – North American Tour

I attended the North American Tour of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center Opera House in July 2025. With powerful vocals, naturalistic acting, and nuanced staging, highlights included two remarkable Fantines, a chest-voiced Enjolras, and an emotionally gripping Javert. A moving return to a timeless classic.

The Book of Mormon

A bold, outrageous, and unexpectedly warm musical that satirizes faith, culture, and American optimism. With razor-sharp humor and memorable songs, it follows two mismatched missionaries on a journey to Uganda, where pop culture collides with religious earnestness. Its heart — and the strength of the cast — carry it through to a full-circle ending that is both hilarious and unexpectedly moving.

Hamilton

Hamilton pulsed with breath and rhythm. Dense lyrics flowed with clarity; history felt urgent, alive. Offbeat delivery made Hamilton thrilling, Jefferson disarmed with charm, and King George raged like a royal madman. It was more than brilliance—it was truth on fire. And in that fire, a spark: hope for a Korean licensed run.

Back To The Future

A visually inventive and fast-paced adaptation of the classic film, this production blended humor, nostalgia, and theme park-level effects. With Roger Bart’s charismatic Doc and a sharply staged DeLorean sequence, the musical delivered high energy, clever wordplay, and a faithful yet self-aware take on the original story.

The Great Gatsby

Broadway’s The Great Gatsby, starring Jeremy Jordan and Eva Noblezada, dazzles with lavish staging and technical brilliance. While the performances shine, the show captures the surface of Fitzgerald’s world more than its emotional core — leaving beauty to speak louder than tragedy.

MJ the Musical

A high-voltage tribute to Michael Jackson’s artistry, this front-row experience opened with “Beat It” and delivered thrilling choreography and immersive sound. While no one can truly replicate MJ’s voice, the show honored his legacy with sincerity and movement, ending in a concert-style finale that brought the crowd to its feet.

Aladdin

A dazzling, family-friendly production full of Disney flair, with standout comedy from Iago, spectacular effects like the magic carpet ride, and a show-stealing Genie. Lighthearted on the surface, yet backed by tight vocals and staging that set a high bar for comparison.

School Of Rock – International Tour in Korea

This Seoul tour stop, led by the electrifying Conner Gillooly, brought rock ‘n’ roll spirit to the Opera Theater at Seoul Arts Center. Featuring a talented cast of real kid musicians, the show blends rock concert energy with a story of self-discovery — about kids finding their voices and adults remembering the dreams they left behind. It all builds to a crowd-cheering finale that truly sticks it to the man.

Tina - BroadwaySF

A powerful, groove-filled celebration of resilience and music, TINA: The Tina Turner Musical stunned me with its emotional force and stage energy. From a thundering opening to a roaring “Proud Mary” curtain call, the show honored Tina without imitation. I left unexpectedly moved — reminded of the strength it takes to reclaim your voice.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

In the 2023 Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd, Josh Groban brings brooding depth, Annaleigh Ashford dazzles with wit, and a brilliant ensemble drives this darkly comic, sharply staged production.

Moulin Rouge!

A visually lavish, high-energy jukebox musical packed with iconic pop hits and theatrical spectacle. Though the story echoes classic operas, it thrives on bold choreography, crowd-pleasing moments, and a show-stealing turn from the Genie-like emcee Zidler.

Hadestown

A visually rich and musically haunting retelling of the Orpheus myth, featuring layered staging, powerful vocals, and elegant choreography — especially striking from a balcony view where the underworld's depth came alive.

Lion King

Two visits to The Lion King — one just before the pandemic, one after — framed a journey of pause and renewal. The iconic opening and masterful puppetry captured Broadway’s resilience. From Rafiki’s call to the final reprise, the show radiated warmth and grandeur. The Circle of Life wasn’t just staged — it was lived. Returning felt like closing a loop, a reminder that theater stays with us, even when the world stops.

Hairspray

A vibrant, fast-paced production with infectious choreography, heartfelt humor, and powerful messages about equality and self-worth. After a few missed chances, I finally saw it just before its Broadway closing — and it exceeded expectations with joy, flair, and energy that filled the theater.

Kinky Boots

In 2015, I saw "Kinky Boots" on Broadway, starring Billy Porter. Cyndi Lauper’s catchy songs and Harvey Fierstein’s witty script made it unforgettable. The Milan finale electrified the audience, and a bartender’s choice of "True Colors" the next day felt like Cyndi’s magic following me.

Newsies

A thrilling showcase of athletic choreography and ensemble power, this early Broadway run featured Jeremy Jordan and a crowd that matched the cast’s energy. With bold strikes, soaring harmonies, and papers flying into the audience, the show captured the spirit of resistance with heart and flair.

Rock Of Ages

A wild, feel-good blast of glam rock powered by iconic anthems and a cast led by a former American Idol finalist. With gritty charm and concert-style energy, it delivered big vocals, loud guitars, and unapologetic fun — even if the plot faded into the haze.

Billy Elliot

A heartfelt blend of working-class struggle and artistic awakening, this production soared in its emotional peak with “Electricity” and the Swan Lake duet — a memory vivid enough to invite comparison when I later saw the Korean version.

Spring Awakening

Set in late 19th-century Germany, this raw, rock-infused portrayal of adolescent turmoil left a lasting mark — with Lea Michele’s luminous “Whispering” and the haunting “Those You’ve Known” still echoing in memory.

Beauty And The Beast

A charming Disney classic with unexpectedly lasting impact, this Broadway production offered vivid staging, catchy songs, and a gentle reminder that pride and prejudice take many forms.

The Phantom Of The Opera

Seeing Phantom on Broadway in 2005 changed how I experienced theater. The live sound, staging, and Hugh Panaro’s voice lingered for days, inspiring me to reflect after every show since — and eventually to create this homepage to share my journey with musicals.

Mamma Mia!

A joyful ABBA-fueled celebration where even the audience joined the performance — singing and dancing beside me like old friends. Donna’s commanding vocals grounded both visits, with the curtain call singalong a true highlight.