音乐剧《上海滩》精装版献演上海 - 2015年11月20日

WITH more than 200 performances staged at Shanghai JDF Yunfeng Theater since it opened in 2014, the theater returned for a third season on November 14 with an updated version of the beloved Chinese historical musical "Shanghai-Bund." The show comes ahead of the global tour of "Shanghai-Bund," which is set to kick off in Singapore next May.

"Shanghai is an attractive city with a rich culture and history. But I was always confused about where to take newly-arrived friends so they could quickly get to know the city I love, since there doesn't seem to be a landmark that shows the city's modern side and its history," says Li Lei, vice president of JDF Musical Corporation and the producer of the musical. "Then, an idea occurred to me, why not produce one?"

The show is based on the wildly popular Hong Kong television series of the same name. First broadcast in 1980, the series takes place in the 1930s and centers on the romance between a patriotic young man and the daughter of a wealthy Shanghai family.

"Of course, the faithful love story is touching. But I think the story of a young person fighting to build a life and a career in a strange city will also resonate with audience members today," says Li.

Yet, the show is just as much an ode to old Shanghai as a celebration of youthful exploration. As such, it features many cultural elements from 1930s Shanghai to help situate audiences in this by-gone epoch. These elements include dazzling neon lights, elegant period costumes and popular songs from the time such as "Rose, Rose, I Love You" and "The Wandering Songstress."

"All of these elements are intended to give audience members a better sense of the old Shanghai that they have heard of," says Li.

The show's song and dance routines will also drive this feeling home, including one number where a group of young women clutching circular fans sing “Evening Primrose” on a set decked with a likeness of Shanghai's well-known Paramount Theater.

The newly-adapted version of "Shanghai-Bund" runs about 90 minutes, down from an earlier 130-minute version.

Choreographer Chet Walker, who has worked on Broadway musical productions of "Chicago," "Pippin" and "Funny Girl" helped perfect the dance routines for the new production.

More than 200 costumes were also tailored for the show by Hong Kong designer Chung-Man Hai.

Sun Douer and Mo Haijing, young singers known from their performances on talent program "The Voice of China" will play the leading roles in the upcoming production.

Looking ahead, producers hope to cast other top singing stars in future runs of this crowd-pleasing show.

Date: Thursday to Sunday, 7:15pm

Venue: JDF Yunfeng Theater

Address: 1700 Beijing Rd. (W)

Tickets: 180-880 yuan

Tel: 5292-0164