‘Dreamgirls’ in South Korea
New York producers were puzzled when John F. Breglio told them he was remaking “Dreamgirls,” the 1981 Broadway hit musical, in South Korea, but so far his experiment has been successful. The $6.7 million production opened to a packed theater and rave reviews. Mr. Breglio plans to open the show, with a new American cast, in New York at the Apollo Theater in November.
The fact that the set was made and financed in Seoul, and will be transferred to the United States for the run there, is a big cost reduction for the American producers. By the time “Dreamgirls” reaches the Apollo, Mr. Breglio said, he will need to have raised only around $5 million, half what it usually costs to put on a show in the United States.
South Korea is a natural place for American producers to look: ticket sales for musicals grew 25 percent last year. “Dreamgirls” was leading the musical rankings this week.
“We cry after each show,” said Hong Ji Min, left, who plays Effie White,
clipped from: www.nytimes.com 
