Artists from China carry out Chinese language dance drama “Mulan” in Boston, Massachusetts, america, on Sept. 23, 2023. The Chinese language dance drama “Mulan” was staged in a theatre in Boston on Sept. 23, and could have reveals on tour in Washington, D.C. thereafter. This was the debut of the drama in america, and over 1,600 audiences watched the efficiency. (Photograph by Zhu Ziyu/Xinhua)
By way of compelling dance and beautiful music, the story of Hua Mulan, a legendary Chinese language heroine who dressed as a person and joined the military in her father’s place, resonated deeply with the U.S. viewers, because the dance drama “Mulan” just lately made a surprising debut in Washington D.C.
The colourful and noteworthy dance with Chinese language Kung Fu parts, heat and passionate music, on prime of a heartbreaking story with humorous moments, received rounds of applause from some 1,800 audiences on the John F. Kennedy Heart for the Performing Arts final week.
“It was nice. I believe that is probably the most stunning issues I’ve ever seen,” 13-year-old Clare Kavanagh instructed Xinhua in pleasure after watching the dance drama together with her mom. They drove 60 km from Leesburg, Virginia, to see the efficiency.
Karen Fleming, who got here from Rockville, Maryland, mentioned that she had seen the film Mulan earlier than, however was nonetheless “very entertained” by the dance drama and in a position to observe alongside “as a result of the dancing was so vibrant and actually instructed the story.”
Fleming instructed Xinhua that it was very nice to see a powerful lady character and the love she had for her father. “I believe despite the fact that it is previous (story), it is nonetheless related in the present day.”
Echoing her views, Alison Friedman, who traveled from Chapel Hill, North Carolina — over 400 km away — instructed Xinhua that Mulan is a narrative of somebody who loves household and may be very courageous, and he or she loves Mulan particularly as a result of it’s a feminine hero story.
“I believe America and China each share the love of a hero story of anyone who believes in one thing passionately and can danger every part to pursue it,” mentioned Friedman, who’s the manager and creative director of Carolina Performing Arts.
Having lived in Beijing for 16 years and talking fluent Chinese language, Friedman mentioned that arts are essentially the most vital facet to “see our humanity, what we’ve got in widespread, what we share.”
“I sincerely hope performances like this proceed to construct stronger people-to-people relations,” she mentioned.
Doryl Jensen, who additionally got here to look at the present from the U.S. state of North Carolina, instructed Xinhua that when he first went to China 20 years in the past, he was fairly taken with Chinese language historical past and tradition.
Now retired, Jensen has labored for a few years on performing arts exchanges between the 2 nations and has invited what he described as “fantastic” performing teams from Interior Mongolia, Shanghai and different locations to america.
“I believe cultural exchanges, particularly on the performing arts degree, is extremely necessary for strengthening the picture of the folks, the concepts that they change,” mentioned Jensen.
The dance drama, created by Ningbo Performing Arts Group in Japanese China’s Zhejiang Province, received the distinguished Lotus Award in December 2018, which represents the best honor for dance in China.
As a part of China Arts and Leisure Group’s “Picture China” present sequence, the dance drama was introduced on the stage of the Kennedy Heart from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1. Simply days earlier than, it made its U.S. debut on the Boch Heart in Boston on Sept. 23.
Tweed Roosevelt, the great-grandson of former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt and a professor at Lengthy Island College, watched the efficiency in Boston. He instructed Xinhua earlier that with the challenges in U.S.-China relations, what folks assume issues tremendously.
“The folks of America must know extra in regards to the Chinese language, and this is a wonderful approach,” mentioned Roosevelt.
Earlier than the premiere in Washington D.C., Li Baozong, normal supervisor of China Arts and Leisure Group, mentioned at a reception that “the loyalty, filial piety and patriotism on this work are additionally widespread feelings of mankind,” and he believes that American audiences will definitely resonate.
Chinese language Ambassador to america Xie Feng, who additionally attended the reception for the premiere within the U.S. capital, mentioned Mulan’s braveness and her love for household, for her nation and for peace are admirable attributes cherished in each Chinese language and American societies.
“The identical traits are vital for in the present day’s China-U.S. relationship: the braveness to forge forward, the resolve to blaze a brand new path and the perceptiveness to look by way of the mists,” mentioned Xie.
“When Chinese language and Individuals are nearer, the 2 nations will likely be nearer,” mentioned the Chinese language ambassador. “With larger flows of individuals throughout the Pacific, we could have a greater likelihood to stabilize and enhance the China-U.S. relationship.”