Forever Prince – Jeff Chang
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Jeff Chang (left) and Tarcy Su (center) receive the award as "Ambassador of Love to Animals" from a Shanghai Small Animal Protection Association official in Shanghai. |
In popular Chinese music circles, he has been known as the "love song prince" for over 20 years. No matter how old he is, what album he releases or whatever else he does in the fast changing entertainment scene where new stars come and go, Jeff Chang will always carry this title.
Chang arrived last month in Shanghai, not for a new love-song album, but to introduce the first stage drama -- "Lulu, Listen to Me" -- produced by his own troupe. The play is an all-star lineup with Chang as the lead actor, scriptwriter and music director.
Musician Guo Zi is art director, famous Taiwan musical producer Kay Huang is lead actress and singer Tarcy Su plays a key "character" in the production, a stray dog called "Lulu." The play, a revival of the Broadway show "Sylvia," tells the story of a family crisis. Wei Cheng (played by Chang), is over 40 years old and has lost his ambition to strive or work, while his wife Li Feng (played by Kay Huang) has a successful career.
As the husband worries about his fading youth and passion, a young female dog named Lulu (played by Tarcy Su) comes into their lives.
"The play follows a family crisis through a dog's eyes. The middle-aged white-collar worker facing a personal crisis has a successful career wife. One day he saves a stray dog and pours out all his emotions to her and his life changes," Chang said.
Wearing a light casual suit and with a genial smile, the middle-aged "love song prince" still has a fresh and natural quality, like a cooling breeze in the sunshine.
His admiring fans -- wearing T-shirts with his name on them -- sit politely at the foot of the stage and keep shooting photographs of their idol as the interview takes place.
Striving in the music scene for nearly 20 years, Chang is famous for his talent, clean and soft voice and his distinctive, pure songs.
Born in Yunlin, Taiwan, his showbiz career started with him winning a singing competition while in college. Since 1989, he has released a string of highly successful albums, won many awards and become a crooner of touching love-songs in the Chinese pop world.
After achieving great success in singing, Chang branched out to the film world and also dabbled on the stage. After performing in Stan Lai's stage drama "Watch TV With Me," he was inspired to set up his own troupe.
He shared his views about chosing the animal-related "Lulu, Listen to Me" as his troupe's first work.
"As both scriptwriter and lead actor in the play, I spent a lot of time thinking about how to explain the main spirit of this classic show through modern drama," Chang said.
"Whether it involves the relationship between humans and dogs, or that between human beings themselves, the play offers a new vision and new life philosophy, as well as a chance to confront life's meaning."
To Chang, adopting animals is not only a story in the show, but also happens in his everyday life.
He once cared for 14 stray or abandoned dogs and cats at his home. More important is that he never buys animals. All are saved from the street and most have serious injuries or illness. He takes them home, cures them and helps to find a new home.
"But, you know, some are too ugly to find a new owner, some have an incurable ailment, so I keep them myself. Now, I have three cats and my dog has just passed away," he said.
Chang also shared the story of his first adopted dog, which was saved by Kay Huang on the roadside near their record company. He got the name "Xiao Hei" (little black) because he was very dirty when found. At the time, the singer was a budding star in music circles and lived in the company apartment.
"When I saw Xiao Hei, I felt like we were in the same boat -- he was so lovely and deserved people's pity and compassion."
Chang seems genuinely interested and concerned when talking about animals and many good friends share the same compassion for animals, such as famous Taiwan singer Michelle Pan, who has adopted more than 10 cats that she keeps at home.
Also Kay and Xu Xidi, known as "Little S," the most popular entertainment talk show hostess in Taiwan, are all fond of animals. "When we get together, most of our discussion is about animals," Chang said.
"Kay has also saved many cats and has a dog named Dong Dong ("hole" in English,) You cannot imagine how badly he was injured and how many holes were found on his body when he was rescued. Although he survived and has recovered well, most of the injury scars remain and fur cannot grow over them."
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