Despite a shocking cast-exit controversy mid-run, the musical closed on a high note after roughly three months.
Premiering on March 31, the musical Sergei Diaghilev took its final bow on the 14th, earning roaring praise and standing ovations from the audience.
As the second installment in Showplay’s character musical trilogy, Sergei Diaghilev offered a deep dive into the life and artistic world of the founder of the Ballets Russes, Sergei Diaghilev. Blending dance, music, and visual art, the production beautifully staged his unshakable spirit and bold philosophy that helped usher in a new era of art, leaving a powerful resonance with theatergoers.
This season, original anchors of the show Kim Jong-gu, Jo Seong-yoon, and Ahn Jae-young were joined by newcomer Park Kyu-won as Diaghilev, each completing their characters with distinct charm. In particular, Park Kyu-won unveiled a fresh take on Diaghilev with delicate interpretation and standout expressiveness, drawing raves from audiences.
Meanwhile, talented actors Park Seong-jun, Kim Jae-han, and Kim Su-ho as Benois; Kim Tae-yeon and Park Jun-hyung as Nijinsky; and Kim Do-ha, Park Seon-young, and Shin Su-bin as Igor Stravinsky delivered steady performances and powerful vocals in perfect sync, further elevating the show’s completeness.
Earlier, on May 22, Sergei Diaghilev faced turbulence when Jung Min-chan, who played Nijinsky, stepped down following a Starbucks selfie controversy. While the incident threatened to shake the production, the team swiftly reworked the casting schedule, and the remaining actors held the line with unwavering performances, keeping the show firing on all cylinders.
Even at the final performance, theatergoers shared emotional reactions: "The actors’ passionate performances and gem-like lines truly shone," "It’s heartbreaking to see it end," and "All three installments of the character musical trilogy are excellent."
Keeping the momentum going, the musical Igor Stravinsky is set to run from June 30 to September 13.