Jae Woo Lee
Korean Background:
Korean-born American
이재우
Jae Woo Lee is a Seoul-born Korean-American tenor and actor who studied voice at Seoul National University before immigrating to the United States in 1967. He made his Broadway debut in the original 1976 production of Stephen Sondheim’s Pacific Overtures as the Fisherman and Sumo Wrestler while understudying the Reciter. Lee remained with the company when the production resumed later that year and subsequently appeared in the 1977 Broadway revival of The King and I. His career is an important early example of a Korean-trained vocalist entering the Broadway musical profession, alongside Soon-Tek Oh in the same original company.
Broadway or West End Debut
Debut Marktet:
Broadway
Debut Year:
1976
Debut Productiont:
Pacific Overtures
Debut Role:
Fisherman / Sumo Wrestler; u/s Reciter
Debut Theatre:
Winter Garden Theatre
Company Entry:
Original Cast
Credit Type:
Multiple Roles; Understudy
Pacific Overtures
Winter Garden Theatre
Fisherman — Original | Jan 11, 1976–Jun 27, 1976
Lord of the South — Original | Jan 11, 1976–Jun 27, 1976
Sumo Wrestler — Original | Jan 11, 1976–Jun 27, 1976
Reciter — Understudy (Original) | Jan 11, 1976–Jun 27, 1976
Fisherman — Original | Aug 31, 1976–Dec 18, 1976
Lord of the South — Original | Aug 31, 1976–Dec 18, 1976
Sumo Wrestler — Original | Aug 31, 1976–Dec 18, 1976
Reciter — Understudy (Original) | Aug 31, 1976–Dec 18, 1976
Broadway
The King and I
Uris Theatre
The Interpreter — Original | Apr 12, 1977–Dec 30, 1978
Ensemble — Original | Apr 12, 1977–Dec 30, 1978
Propman (“Small House of Uncle Thomas” Ballet) — Original | Apr 12, 1977–Dec 30, 1978
The Kralahome — Understudy (Original) | Apr 12, 1977–Start date unconfirmed
The Kralahome — Replacement | Start date unconfirmed–Dec 30, 1978
Broadway
References
Playbill — Jae Woo Lee
https://playbill.com/person/jae-woo-lee-vault-0000060784
IBDB — Jae Woo Lee
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/jae-woo-lee-87863
The New York Times — From Korea to Broadway
https://www.nytimes.com/1976/04/25/archives/new-jersey-weekly-from-korea-to-broadway.html
Playbill — Pacific Overtures
https://playbill.com/production/pacific-overtures-winter-garden-theatre-vault-0000011540
IBDB — Pacific Overtures
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/pacific-overtures-3785
Playbill — The King and I, 1977 Broadway Revival
https://playbill.com/production/the-king-and-i-uris-theatre-vault-0000011062
IBDB — The King and I, 1977 Broadway Revival
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-king-and-i-3999
Playbill — The King and I, 1985 Broadway Revival
https://playbill.com/production/the-king-and-i-broadway-theatre-vault-0000012260
IBDB — The King and I, 1985 Broadway Revival
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-king-and-i-4357



