Modern Musical "Dongpo: Life in Poems" Makes U.S. Debut to Rave Reviews

In March 2024, the Kennedy Center in DC and David H. Koch Theater in New York City hosted the American debut of the modern musical "Dongpo: Life in Poems". This production, a collaborative effort between the China Oriental Performing Arts Group Co., Ltd. and the MeiShan Song and Dance Theatre, aims to bring the depth and allure of traditional Chinese culture to international audiences through a contemporary lens.

Centered around the life of Su Shi (1037-1101), also known as Su Dongpo, the musical integrates a wide array of artistic elements including modern dance, traditional guqin music, and elements of poetry, calligraphy, painting, and carving to explore the rich internal world and emotions of this celebrated Chinese writer and poet. Su Dongpo's contributions to Chinese literature have earned him global recognition, even being named one of the "Heroes of the Millennium" by France's Le Monde.

Renowned for his roles as producer, director, choreographer, painter, and visual artist, Shen Wei, leads the production. He has masterfully woven 12 of Su Dongpo's poems and proses into the performance, creating a show that challenges the boundaries of time and space, and has undergone extensive development, resulting in a critically acclaimed final piece.

This debut is supported by the "Image China" brand, which since 2009, has been pivotal in introducing Chinese performances to global audiences. The partnership with the American Dance Festival for this event underscores a commitment to presenting a slice of Chinese aesthetics through a modern musical format to the American public. Additionally, future shows are planned for France and the Hong Kong and Macao regions, offering further opportunities to showcase Meishan's rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty.