Music, applause, cheers... A few days ago, at the 2019 American National Performing Arts Annual Conference (APAP), the performance of the original musical "Shimmer" (formerly known as "Jews in Shanghai · Shimmer") The three representative songs "Turnover", "Companion" and "Sunshine at the Moment" were sung, causing the audience to boil. This means that this original Chinese musical, based on the refuge of Jews who escaped the persecution of the German Nazis during World War II in Shanghai, is another step closer to a historic breakthrough towards Broadway resident performances.
Caption: "Glimmer" in Shanghai performance stills data map Xinmin Evening News reporter Guo Xinyang photo
story moving and unique perspective
As an APAP member unit, this year, Shanghai Performance Industry Association uses the "Shanghai Performing Arts" booth as a window to promote a series of wealthy Shanghai And the artistic creation of Chinese cultural characteristics, and brought the association's only live promotion program-China Shanghai original musical "Twilight". Wei Zhi, president of the Shanghai Performance Industry Association, said bluntly, "We have brought "Shimmer" from Shanghai to New York, hoping to use the'shimmer' to light up the upcoming Spring of China Shanghai Original Musical on Broadway."
"Through telling the story of the life and death love between the Jewish youth Frank Stern and the Shanghai girl Lin Yilan, it demonstrates the profound friendship between the Chinese and the Jews and the unyielding spirit of fighting fascism together. Robert Jr., CEO of Nederlander Universal Entertainment, recalled that when he saw this Chinese original musical for the first time more than two years ago, he was impressed and soon decided to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Shanghai producer, planning to bring this original Chinese musical in Shanghai. Performed on Broadway in New York.
Caption: "Shimmer" in Shanghai performance stills Data map Xinmin Evening News reporter Guo Xinyang photo
In the view of Robert Jr., this musical is rooted in Shanghai's cultural history and discovers the glorious past that belongs to this city. The unique subject matter and rich content give this play great cultural potential and global radiation. The warmth and light of human nature behind the story not only belongs to the Chinese and Jews, but also belongs to all mankind. "I hope this shines The Chinese story of love and warmth, on the Broadway stage, gives Western audiences a unique perspective."
It is reported that this is the first time that a Chinese original musical has exported copyright to Broadway, and it is very likely the first time that a Chinese original musical has been put on Broadway. Resident performance. The first global tour version of
At the APAP promotion site, two Broadway actors and the original cast performed three representative songs "Turnover", "Companion" and "The Sunshine of the Moment". The producer revealed the global tour for the first time. The plan for the edition of "Shimmer".
Caption: "Glimmer" in Shanghai's performance stills data map Xinmin Evening News reporter Guo Xinyang photo
producer Yu Huiyan revealed that the cooperation with Broadway member Nederlander strictly follows the operating rules of the market-oriented model of Broadway musical production, and gathers first-class Chinese and American The creative production team will try its best to create a culturally compatible and artistically pure stage boutique.
Currently, the script and character settings are still being adjusted. Yu Huiyan said: “On the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States in 2019, it is of great significance to vigorously promote this musical that tells Chinese stories in Esperanto. Whether it is based on Broadway The continued cooperative development of the performance version, or the concert version of the global tour, is to let more people understand this precious history, cherish this warm memory, and cherish the peace and the common suffering between the two nations. Love and friendship." (Xinmin Evening News reporter Zhu Yuan)
immediately comment | more than "shimmer"
from "Jews in Shanghai" to "shimmer", from the Shanghai premiere, step by step to the Broadway resident stage . The world journey of "Twilight" is inseparable from the efforts of all parties, and the perseverance from the outside comes from the touch and surprise of the first acquaintance two years ago: "The melody is very audible, the performance is delicate and moving, and the stage is beautiful. Concise and modern. It is like the city of Shanghai, magnificent and exquisite; like my impression of the people in this city, brave and tolerant."
Caption: "Shimmer" in Shanghai Photo by Xinmin Evening News reporter Guo Xinyang
Coincidentally, 41 European tours have just endedThe deluxe version of "Swan Lake" performed by the Shanghai Ballet Company was also promoted by the cooperation of China International Culture Group Corporation and Dutch Star Drama Co., Ltd., and unswervingly explored the European market with a three-year plan. The legend of the Eastern Swan Army. In this round of the European tour, the day after the first performance in Berlin, the mainstream German newspapers even commented that it was “suffocatingly beautiful”.
In recent years, more and more Chinese original works have gone international, and those "foreign aid" who volunteered to be the promoters are all derived from the amazing and moving of the works. It is said that art knows no borders because it incorporates the most sincere emotions and the most moving performances. Shanghai's original works are more than just "shimmer". (Zhu Yuan)
