Shanghai used to be a pretty decent place for big ridiculous musicals back in the day. There was camp to be had if you were seeking it, is what we're saying. We still remember, with delectable fondness, Shanghai products of Elton John's Aida, Stephen Schwartz's Wicked, a splashy Chinese-language version of The Lion King at this new Disney place, and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats about 20 times.
Delicious!
To say nothing of blue men, river dancers, and Quebecoise circus folk.
It is with great happiness that we can report our musical theater calendars are starting to fill up again with ridiculous and wonderful-looking things. On the whole, it's looking... eh?... okay?... kinda?
I mean Titanic The Musical, of course, we're here for it! Just hope it has a happy ending.
Here are some big musical theatre events coming up in the near future in Shanghai.
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Musical: 'Titanic The Musical'
A different interpretation than the famous James Cameron movie, 'Titanic The Musical' (which won five Tony Awards) is based on real people aboard the legendary ship. Its characters are constructed from historical records. The narrative delves into the stories and fates of passengers from various classes on the ship, examining how they confronted the unfolding tragedy. In celebration of the 10th anniversary of its London production, the musical has been rebooted, and the English-language production is set to return to China for a national tour.
Musical: Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Love Never Dies'
Crossroads Live and Poly Productions are staging Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies for the first time in China. Debuting in London's West End in 2010, this is technically the sequel to the long-running Phantom of the Opera, although Webber calls it a standalone piece -- a new story with the same characters, set 10 years after the events of the first one, to be more specific. If you're looking for a new face for the Phantom, it's one to check out. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and original direction by Simon Phillips. The Shanghai run is September 28 to October 15.
SYNOPSIS
The year is 1907. It is 10 years after his disappearance from the Paris Opera House and the Phantom has escaped to a new life in New York where he lives amongst the screaming joy rides and freak-shows of Coney Island. In this new electrically-charged world, he has finally found a place for his music to soar. All that is missing is his love – Christine Daaé.
Christine is struggling in an ailing marriage to Raoul. She accepts an invitation to travel to New York and perform at a renowned opera house. In a final bid to win back her love, the Phantom lures Christine, her husband, and their young son Gustave from Manhattan; to the glittering and glorious world of Coney Island, not knowing what is in store for them...
ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER has composed the scores of some of the world’s most famous musicals. Lloyd Webber has had shows running continually in the West End for 50 years and on Broadway for 43. He is one of the select group of artists with EGOT status, having received an Emmy, four Grammys, an Oscar, and eight Tony Awards, along with seven Olivier awards.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Crossroads Live and Poly Productions are delighted to announce the premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s LOVE NEVER DIES in China. Following hugely successful runs in North America, Japan and Finland receiving acclaim from both audiences and critics alike, LOVE NEVER DIES will open in Shanghai in Autumn 2023.
LOVER NEVER DIES has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Ben Elton, based on The Phantom of Manhattan by Frederick Forsyth, additional lyrics by Charles Hart, orchestrations by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
With original direction by Simon Phillips, set and costume design by Gabriela Tylesova, choreography by Graeme Murphy, lighting design by Nick Schlieper and sound design by Mick Potter, the China premier will be brought to stage by Love Never Dies Associate Director Gavin Mitford, Associate Choreographer Simone Sault and Music Supervisor Simon Lee.
This dazzling new production takes audiences on a thrilling rollercoaster ride of intrigue, obsession and romance, where you’ll be seduced by the beautiful; sometimes magical and poetic; sometimes joyful; and occasionally melancholic score. Don't miss this magnificent continuation of one of the world's greatest love stories of all time.
Musical: 'The Sound of Music'
Roald Dahl's 'Matilda: The Musical'
Musical: 'The Last Five Years'
Mozart L'Opéra Rock: Chinese Edition
Musical: 'The Brothers Karamazov' - Chinese Edition
A Chinese-language adaptation of the famous and well-received Korean version, the story is adapted from the novel of the same name by the Russian literary master Fyodor Dostoevsky. Set in 19th Century Russia, The Brothers Karamazov is a passionate philosophical novel that enters deeply into questions of God, free will, and morality. It is a theological drama dealing with problems of faith, doubt, and reason in the context of a modernizing Russia, with a plot that revolves around the subject of patricide. Produced by SGT Creation Center, this unique Chinese interpretation (via Korea) runs from September 23 to October 1.
