by Vivien Liu
NEW YORK, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- A familiar Chinese heroine returned to the U.S. stage on Friday, as the award-winning dance drama "Mulan" made its New York debut at Lincoln Center, bringing a centuries-old Chinese legend to American audiences through dance, martial arts, music and visual art.
Presented at the David H. Koch Theater on Sept. 18-20, the production tells the story of Hua Mulan, who disguises herself as a man and takes her aging father's place in military service, embarking on a journey of courage, sacrifice and self-discovery.
For American audiences, Mulan is already a familiar figure. Through Disney's animated film and its live-action adaptation, Hollywood has brought the legendary Chinese heroine to the big screen, while other popular-culture portrayals have introduced the story to generations of international audiences. This long exposure has given American audiences a familiar entry point to a story rooted in Chinese culture.
"Mulan is a globally recognized cultural symbol," said Wang Lu, deputy general manager of China Arts and Entertainment Group. "When American audiences walk into the theater with their familiar impressions of Mulan, they will discover a richer image of her with a distinctive Eastern aesthetic."
Drawing on the spirit of the ancient Chinese folk poem "The Ballad of Mulan," the production presents the heroine through the aesthetics of contemporary Chinese performing arts.
A 15-meter revolving stage forms the centerpiece of the production, while classical Chinese dance, martial arts, traditional music, costumes and lighting create a theatrical world that moves between family life and scenes of war.
For Tang Xinyi, who plays Mulan, the character's humanity is central to the production.
"I hope she is a very three-dimensional character," Tang said. "She is strong and brave, but she also has a vulnerable side, a lonely side and moments when she feels sad."
Through movement, facial expressions and dance, she said, the production traces Mulan's growth from an ordinary daughter protecting her father to a woman discovering her own strength.
Wang Zheng, who plays General Wei, said martial arts training was incorporated into the choreography to create a physical language for combat.
"Because we do not share the same language, we can only use our performance and body movements to create resonance with the audience," he said.
The visual elements of the production captivated the audience.
"I'm loving the Mulan show. The art, scenery, the dancing, the music, the light, everything is amazing," said Alejandro Martin Rodriguez. "The costume design is very impressive, and the lighting. So it really takes you to that era and to that place in a way that is very transformative."
For the audience, the New York performance also offers a chance to see a familiar story from a new cultural perspective.
Keith Boyle, originally from Ireland, called the show "a great example of Chinese culture" and "a fantastic glimpse into ancient Chinese culture."
Laura and Cathy Traflet were particularly impressed by the music and the physical energy of the performance. Laura said her interest in the production was heightened by her familiarity with Mulan from the Disney film, her later exploration of the traditional legend and a trip to China last year.
"I was really excited to see this," she said. "We love the story too, the story of Mulan. So it's so special seeing it in real life."
Created by choreographers Zhou Liya and Han Zhen and produced by China Ningbo Performance & Arts Group, the production has won the China Dance Lotus Award, the highest honor in Chinese dance, and has been performed more than 100 times.
In September 2023, "Mulan" made its U.S. debut in Boston before moving on to Washington, D.C., where it received a warm response from American audiences.
"The positive response three years ago helped make it possible for us to bring Mulan to Lincoln Center in New York today," said Lin Hong, chairperson of China Ningbo Performance & Arts Group.
Lin said the production resonates across cultural boundaries because "the commonality of emotions and values has no borders." ■
