[Press Release] Minneapolis Children's Theatre Company Announces Performers and Creative Team for Cookin' - September 12-October 22, 2023

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is pleased to announce the performers and creative team for Cookin' (also known as Nanta 난타) the international smash-hit sensation from South Korea that will be playing at CTC in the fall of 2023. The Minneapolis premiere engagement of Cookin' at CTC is the production's only Midwest stop in 2023-2024 touring season.

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With a crazy deadline looming near, four frenzied chefs turn their kitchen into a dynamic, veggies-flying-everywhere performance as Korean samulnori drumming and martial arts take center stage. During this wildly energetic cooking competition, the chefs put on a masterful display of percussive food chopping, knife throwing, pot banging, and fire-blowing wizardry that will make you laugh, scream in delight, and even beg for a chance to sample their food. Get ready to stomp your feet and clap your hands for a show that's truly Cookin'!

Cookin' is the longest-running show in South Korea's history (over 1.48 million people have attended performances), and has performed in more than 60 countries throughout Europe, Asia, and North America.

"Music, mayhem and magic are only a few of the ingredients in the savory stew of skillful, high-energy, silly good fun". - The New York Times

"A big hit! Spectacular!" - Newsweek

"Call it Benihana goes berserk. Take equal parts of Jackie Chan, The Marx Brothers, and Stomp - and blend". - CBS Sunday Morning

Cookin' will play from September 12-October 22, 2023 at CTC's UnitedHealth Group Stage (2400 Third Avenue South Minneapolis MN 55404). Opening Night is Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 7:00pm. Tickets may be purchased online at childrenstheatre.org/cookin or by calling the Ticket Office at 612.874.0400. Ticket prices start at $15.  

Cookin' is proudly sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co.

"We are thrilled to bring the international sensation Cookin' to our audiences in Minnesota", said CTC Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius. "This dynamic and hilarious show has delighted audiences around the world with its virtuosic percussion, incredible comedy and amazing physicality. We cannot wait for you to experience the joy and exuberance of Cookin'!"

 
"I can't wait to meet the audience in Minnesota at a prestigious theatre like Children's Theatre Company", said Cookin' Director Song Seung-hwan. "I hope you will feel the freedom from the unique rhythm of Korea and, through the comedy on stage, also feel the great pleasure of getting away from your daily life".

The performers for Cookin' are Sul Ho-yeol, Ko Changhwan, Jung Min-goo, Hyejin Song, and Jung  Hwan Hyun. Dong Keun Lee and Kyuna Kim are the understudies.

The creative team for Cookin' includes  Song Seung-hwan (Artistic Director/Producer), Kwangho Lee (Producer),  Dong Jun Lee (Composer), Kicheol Cho (Percussion Director), Oksoon Kang (Choreographer), Dongwoo Park (Scenic Designer), Sookjin Seo (Scenic Designer), Jonghwa Park (Lighting Designer), Yunyoung Koo (Lighting Designer), Kiyoung Kim (Sound Designer), Heeju Kim (Costume Designer), Kyewhan Park (Martial Arts), Jungwoo Kim (Magic Tricks), Yosub Choi (Cooking Skills), Marcia Milgrom Dodge (Creative Consultant), and Cheol Ki Choi (Associate Director).

The production staff for Cookin' includes Young Eun Park (Production Supervisor), Daehui Yun (Technical Director/Stage Manager), Hoon Young Kim (Lighting Director), and Hyuna Park (Sound Director).

Ticket Information

Tickets to Cookin' may be purchased online at childrenstheatre.org/cookin or by calling the ticket office at 612.874.0400. Ticket prices start at $15.  

School groups interested in attending Cookin' can contact schools@childrenstheatre.org for more information.

Cookin' has a run time of 90 minutes with no intermission.

This production is best enjoyed all ages. Lap passes are available for children 3 years and younger.

Cookin'
a sizzling entertainment
Produced by PMC Production Co. and Broadway Asia Company
Directed by  Song Seung-hwan
September 12-October 22, 2023
UnitedHealth Group Stage
Best enjoyed by all ages!

Proudly sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Creative Team and Production Staff

Artistic Director/Producer |  Song Seung-hwan
Producer | Kwangho Lee
International Executive Producers | Simone Genatt, Marc Routh
North American Tour Manager | Broadway Asia Company LLC, Faye Oyang
Composer | Dong Jun Lee
Percussion Director | Kicheol Cho
Choreographer | Oksoon Kang
Scenic Designer | Dongwoo Park
Scenic Designer | Sookjin Seo
Lighting Designer | Jonghwa Park
Lighting Designer | Yunyoung Koo
Sound Designer | Kiyoung Kim
Costume Designer | Heeju Kim
Martial Arts | Kyewhan Park
Magic Tricks | Jungwoo Kim
Cooking Skills | Yosub Choi
Creative Consultant | Marcia Milgrom Dodge
Associate Director | Cheol Ki Choi
Production Supervisor | Young Eun Park
Technical Director/Stage Manager | Daehui Yun
Lighting Director | Hoon Young Kim
Sound Director | Hyuna Park

PERFORMERS

Sul Ho-yeol
Sul Ho-yeol joined Cookin' in 2000 and appeared in the New York production at New Victory Theater in 2022. He has been featured in various Korean TV series, including "Arthdal Chronicles".

Ko Changhwan
Ko Changhwan joined Cookin' in 2008 and appeared in the New York production at New Victory Theater in 2022. He has been featured in various Korean TV series such as "Arthdal Chronicles", "Wok of Love", and "Can't Stop Now". He has a bachelor's degree in Acting.

Jung Min-goo
Jung Min-goo joined Cookin' in 2004 and appeared in the New York production at New Victory Theater in 2022. He has been featured in various Korean TV series, including Wok of Love. He has a bachelor's degree in Acting.

Hyejin Song
Hyejin Song joined Cookin' in 2015 and appeared in the New York production at New Victory Theater in 2022 She has been featured in various Korean theatre productions such as the musicals The Wizard of Oz and Nonsense.  She has a B.F.A. in Acting from the Seoul Institute of the Arts.

Jung  Hwan Hyun
Jung  Hwan Hyun joined Cookin' in 2007 and appeared in the New York production at New Victory Theater in 2022.

UNDERSTUDIES

Dong Keun Lee
Dong Keun Lee recently joined Cookin'. This will be his first time working in an international theatre production. He has a bachelor's degree in Acting.

Kyuna Kim
Kyuna Kim recently joined Cookin'. This will be her first time working in an international theatre production. She has a bachelor's degree in Acting.