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Tears of Heaven
천국의 눈물
Official English Title
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SOURCE
history
SETTING
Foreign
BOOK
original
Love and war in Vietnam
Korean Premiere
2011
Korean Premiere Theatre
National Theater of Korea, Seoul
Further Korean run reference:
https://namu.wiki/w/%EC%B2%9C%EA%B5%AD%EC%9D%98%20%EB%88%88%EB%AC%BC
The Musical search cue — “천국의 눈물 뮤지컬”
Summary
During the Vietnam War, a Korean soldier, a Vietnamese singer, and an American officer become caught in a tragic conflict between love, loyalty, and survival.
Origin & Development
Developed as an international large-scale project by Korean producer Seol & Company, Tears of Heaven features music by Frank Wildhorn. Broadway workshops preceded its Korean premiere, reflecting its export-oriented development model.
Production: Seol & Company / Creative Production Composer: Frank Wildhorn Lyrics: Robin Lerner Book: Phoebe Hwang (based on an original draft by Lee Man-hee) Director: Gabriel Barre Scenic Design: David Gallo Music Director: Adrian Werum Before its Korean premiere, Tears of Heaven underwent an invitation-only reading at New World Stages in Manhattan on September 11, 2009, featuring Paolo Montalban, Deborah Lew, and John Cudia, under the direction of Gabriel Barre. The event marked the first public presentation of the work, produced by Creative Production and Seol & Company.
A concept recording was released by Globalvision Records in 2011, featuring Linda Eder, Morgan James, Rob Evan, and Christiane Noll. Although the production was envisioned for a future Broadway transfer, no full-scale Western staging followed. Press materials from 2011 mentioned potential expansion to Japan and Europe, but only the 2009 New York reading and the 2011 Korean premiere were realized.
The Seoul premiere starred Kim Junsu (XIA) and Brad Little, presenting the musical with cinematic staging, large-scale choreography, and ambitious commercial scope. Despite its high-profile cast and production quality, Tears of Heaven remains one of the most internationally visible yet untransferred Korean-origin musicals of its era.
Partial Synopsis
During the Vietnam War, Korean soldier Joon falls in love with Vietnamese singer Linh. Their relationship is threatened by the conflict and by American officer Grayson, whose past with Linh turns their lives into a tragic triangle.
Tears of Heaven
2009
2009-09-11
to
2009-09-11
Country:
United States
City:
New York
Production Type:
Reading / Showcase
Language:
English
Venue:
New World Stages
An invitation-only industry reading before the Korean premiere, directed by Gabriel Barre with Paolo Montalban, Deborah Lew, and John Cudia, and produced by Creative Production and Seol & Company. The score is by Frank Wildhorn, with lyrics by Robin Lerner and a book by Phoebe Hwang based on an original draft by Lee Man-hee.
The musical premiered at the National Theater of Korea in February 2011, and a concept album was released by Globalvision Records the same year.
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