Chongqing - Chongqing Lumen Theatre is poised to present its original musical It Happens at the Texas Shakespeare Festival Chinese Theater Night on July 11th. The performance aims to share the Sichuan-Chongqing region's cultural stories and spread China's voice.
The Chongqing Lumen Theatre held a sharing meeting on June 15th. (Photo/Chongqing Lumen Theatre)
Integrating the folklore and traditions of the Sichuan-Chongqing area, the original musical It Happens presents a diverse range of musical styles to reenact traditional culture and narrate a tumultuous life story, depicting the philosophy of life and death in the local customs.
The stills of the original musical It Happens. (Photo/Lumen Theatre)
"Life is unpredictable, but love and courage can transcend life and death," said Steve Zhang, the artistic director of Lumen Theatre. The production will feature a collaboration between six Chinese and five American actors to deliver an unforgettable performance.
"There are many American viewers who appreciate Chinese traditional historical culture. We hope to use the stage to present stories from Chongqing and stories of the people, triggering a deeper cultural resonance and spiritual connection," said Angelina Gao, the production director of Lumen Theatre, who is confident about their upcoming performance in the United States.
The Texas Shakespeare Festival, run for 37 years, has become a renowned regional theater festival in the United States. Each year, the festival showcases a wide range of theatrical genres, including Shakespearean plays, musicals, comedies, one-act plays, children's theater, and campus dramas. It attracts artists from around the world and a diverse audience.
In 2010, Lumen Theatre debuted its production of Chongqing 1937 at the festival, receiving high acclaim from audiences and experts. This success established the "Chinese Theater Night" within the festival's international cultural exchange program.
For over a decade, Lumen Theatre has been creating exceptional original theatrical works inspired by Chinese traditional culture, the human history of the Sichuan-Chongqing region, and contemporary youth life.
The theater group's performances have garnered a large following and will continue to engage in exchange performances at the Texas Shakespeare Festival, captivating audiences with their artistry.
(Yang Yuanchun, as an intern, also contributed to the report.)