photo by Mr. Wang Shengsheng

A magical evening of dance and spectacle, “The Butterfly Lovers,” hailed as China’s Romeo and Juliet, is being performed this weekend ONLY by the Beijing Dance Academy (BDA) – the most prestigious dance academy in China.

“The Butterfly Lovers” will have three performances only at the Ahmanson Theatre –

February 12 and 13 at 7:30pm, and

February 14 at 2:00pm.

LA is the first stop of a five-city west coast tour including San Francisco, Sacramento, Portland, and Seattle.

The U.S. premiere of “The Butterfly Lovers,” is being staged in celebration of the Chinese New Year – The Year of the Tiger – presented by Chinus Cultural Productions and China Arts and Entertainment Group.

Featuring stunning costumes, dance and acrobatic feats and glorious music, the evening will include a selection of award-winning classical Chinese pieces, choreographed by China’s up-and-coming choreographers, including Zhou Ping, Gao Chengming, Zhang Yunfeng, Sun Ying, Chen Weiva, Hu Lei, Jiang Yang and Zhang Disha.

Performances include “Singing of the Wind,” gold medal recipient for choreography and silver medalist for performance at the First CCTV Dance Competition.

On a recent tour in France, Le Republic and L’Independent featured front-page photos of the Beijing Dance Academy Resident Dance Company, praising it as “the best classical, contemporary and traditional dance company out of China, providing French audiences with a fabulous and unprecedented night of enjoyment.”

photo by Mr. Wang Shengsheng

The production is choreographed by Zhang Jianmin to China’s most famous violin concerto ‘The Butterfly Lovers,’ written in 1959 by Chinese composers Chen Gang and He Zhanhao.

The lead roles will be performed by Wang Zihan and Shao Junting.

Set in the Eastern Jin Dynasty of China (circa 265-420), the legend of “The Butterfly Lovers” tells the tragic tale of the star-crossed lovers Zhu Yingtai and Liang Shanbo.

For anyone who enjoys their high-Art mixed with traditional culture, this production is a must-see.

Venue: Ahmanson Theatre 135 North Grand Avenue,  Los Angeles, CA 90012     
  

Performance Schedule: Friday, February 12 at 7:30pm

Saturday, February 13 at 7:30pm

Sunday, February 14 at 2:00pm     
  

Tickets: $35.00 – $85.00     
  

In Person: Ahmanson Theatre Box Office –  135 North Grand Avenue  — and all Ticketmaster outlets

Online ticketing

Phone: Center Theatre Group Box Office (213) 628-2772                
  

Information: online

ALSO –  Ring in the Chinese New Year and enjoy the colorful celebration along North Broadway in Chinatown, Los Angeles, of the Golden Dragon Parade and Festival

Saturday, February 20^th, 2010, also Saturday & Sunday, February 20^th and 21^st, 2010

Report by Pauline Adamek