Chinus Cultural Production, and
China Arts and Entertainment Group presents

The Butterly Lovers

The legend of the Butterfly Lovers– 梁祝- comes alive on stage in a performance choreographed to China’s most famous violin concerto. Celebrate the Chinese New Year with dancers from the famed Beijing Dance Academy Resident Dance Company in a production of classical Chinese dance. The 90-minute show will feature China's best young talents in several classical Chinese dances that are rarely seen outside China, along with the dance drama of the Butterfly Lovers. Hailed as China's Romeo and Juliet, this tragic love story has touched millions of people's hearts.

When: February 23 and 24, 7:30pm
Where: Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205
Ticket prices: $33, $43, $54, $64

Tickets are on sale at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets online or by calling at 1-800-745-3000

For more information [click here]

About The Production

Zhang Jianmin choreographs the production to China's most famous violin concerto ‘The Butterfly Lovers,' written in 1959 by Chinese composers Chen Gang and He Zhanhao. Wang Zihan and Shao Junting will perform the lead roles. Both Mr. Wang and Ms. Shao are graduates of Beijing Dance Academy's Classical Dance Department, and have won numerous awards in prestigious national dance competitions.

Set in Eastern Jin Dynasty of China (circa 265-420), the legend of "The Butterfly Lovers" centers on Zhu Yingtai, the only daughter of the wealthy Zhu family in the Zhejiang Province. Challenging traditions, Zhu convinces her father to allow her to disguise herself as a young man so she can travel to the city of Hangzhou to study. There, she meets the handsome Liang Shanbo, they become best friends, and Liang never suspects that his friend is actually a woman.

Over the years, Zhu realizes she has fallen in love with Liang, but cannot reveal her true identity. When they finish their studies, she comes up with a plan, inviting Liang to visit her residence to court her sister. When Liang arrives, he finds to his surprise that Zhu is a woman. They vow their love to each other. However, the joy of their reunion is short-lived as Zhu's father has arranged for her to marry a rich man. Liang is heart-broken upon hearing the news, falls ill and dies.

Upon hearing of her lover's death, Zhu is now heart-broken, but powerless. On her wedding day, the skies grow stormy as the procession reaches Liang's grave. Suddenly, a huge bolt of lightning strikes the grave, splitting it open. Zhu throw herself into the grave, reunited with Liang forever, and the two lovers are magically transformed into butterflies.

The evening will also 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 medalist for choreography and silver medalist for performance at the First CCTV Dance Competition. In addition, the "Emperor Qin Shihuang Calls on Troops" (1995), inspired by the terra-cotta warriors of Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC), first prizewinner of the Beijing Dance Competition, gold medalist for choreography and silver medalist for performance at the First CCTV Dance Competition.

About The Beijing Dance Academy Resident Dance Company

Beijing Dance Academy Resident Dance Company was founded in 1987, and has quickly established itself in the Chinese dance scene. Beijing Dance Academy is the most prestigious dance academy in China (comparable to the Juilliard School's dance program) and is constantly producing talented dancers to join the BDA Dance Company. Two thirds of the dancers from the company have won gold medals in national contests such as the Lotus Cup, the Peach and Plum Cup and CCTV dance contests.

The dance style of the company is based on Chinese traditional classical dance and Chinese ethnic and folk dance, with contemporary influences. BDA has toured the United States, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Australia, Spain, Romania, Belarus, Japan, South and North Korea.