(Photo : Twitter)
Jo Kwon Will Transform as “Drag Queen” Along ASTRO’s MJ and NU’EST Ren for Upcoming Musical

Production company ShowNote said on April 28 that the West End musical "Everybody's Talking About Jamie" will be staged at LG Art Center in July for the first time in Asia.

Based on a true story, Jamie, a 17-year-old high school student who wants to become a drag queen, depicts her dreams, challenges, and love for her family. After presenting its premiere at Sheffield, England in 2017, it moved directly to the West End that year, receiving praise from audiences and critics, performing as an open run until now, and will also be released as a movie this fall. 2AM's Jo Kwon, who has overflowing talent and energy, has been cast in Jamie's role.

(Photo : )
Jo Kwon Will Transform as “Drag Queen” Along ASTRO’s MJ and NU’EST Ren for Upcoming Musical

Since its premiere in 2017 at Sheffield, England, it has been praised by audiences and critics and moved to the West End that year, performing as an open-run (continued performance without designating a closing day). "Everybody's Talking About Jamie" will also be made into a movie that is set for release this fall.

On the premiere stage that will be held in South Korea, Jo Kwon will play the role of Jamie. He has established as a musical actor through "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Shinheung Military Academy." And rising star Shin Ju Hyup, who starred in "Hospital Playlist," will also play the role of Jamie with full of talent. Other boy group members, ASTRO's main vocalist MJ and NU'EST's Ren, will also give the musical a chance for the first time ever since they debuted.

(Photo : Twitter)
Jo Kwon Will Transform as “Drag Queen” Along ASTRO’s MJ and NU’EST Ren for Upcoming Musical

The cast for the role of Margaret, the mother who supports and helps Jamie in achieving his dream, will be played by Choi Jung-won, a first-generation musical actor representing South Korea. And Kim Sun Young, an actress at the top of the musical, who combines both charisma and ability. Yoon Hee Seok and Choi Ho Jung will play the role of legendary drag queen Hugo, who becomes Jamie's mentor. 

The premiere in Korea will be produced as a remake that embodies the same charm of the original production from the West End. The show will provide fun and emotions of the original work with collaboration between original creators. The composer Dan Gillespie Sells and writer Tom McRae, as well as the nation's top creators, Shim Seol In, music director Kim Moon Jung, choreographer Lee Hyun Jung and stage designer Oh Pil Young, will collaborate to set up the stage.

Jo Kwon has built up his skills through big musicals, such as "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Chess," and "Shinheung Military Academy," and has played an attractive drag queen role in "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert," further raising the audience's expectations. While Shin Ju Hyup, who is expanding his career beyond musicals, has joined Jamie's role, it is also worth noting the performances of idol-turned-actors MJ and Ren accepted the challenge for their first musical.