Chinese 'Beauty and the Beast' to premiere in Shanghai

By Zhang Rui: 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, May 17, 2018

Alan Menken, the Academy Award-winning musician, plays piano at the Walt Disney Grand Theatre at the Shanghai Disney Resort's Disneytown on a visit to promote the Mandarin production of the Broadway musical "Beauty and the Beast," Feb. 6, 2018. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Disney Resort]

Extensive auditions and talent recruiting for the new production spanned six months around China, leading to the selection of more than 80 gifted performers and crew members who will bring the show to life when it premieres this June. The original Broadway Creative Team, including director Rob Roth, music director Michael Kosarin, choreographer Matt West, set designer Stanley A. Meyer, costume designer Ann Hould-Ward and lighting designer Natasha Katz, are in Shanghai working with the local cast and crew as they rehearse the production.

"Beauty and the Beast" will be the second joint collaboration between Shanghai Disney Resort and Disney Theatrical Productions. In February this year, legendary musician Alan Menken, who has won more Academy Awards than any living individual and helped shape the sound of stage musicals, films and television shows beloved around the world over four decades, came to Shanghai to promote the new Mandarin version.

He revealed at that time there are some special new elements for "this exciting production, which, combined with the talented local performers, will make it a truly one-of-a-kind entertainment experience for the Chinese audience."

"Beauty and the Beast" is anticipated to carry on the success of "The Lion King" musical, which closed last October with its 500th and final venue-packed performance. The musical's premiere will be held on June 14, before opening to public the following day. Tickets will be available online from May 24.

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