A Chinese theatrical dance show depicting the beauty of an ancient landscape scroll painting won acclaim from New York audiences as the show was staged at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts from Friday to Sunday.
Titled "A Tapestry of a Legendary Land," the show previously gained widespread popularity across the country after parts of the show were staged during the 2022 Spring Festival Gala, quickly making it a hit.
The dances were inspired by a painting from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1126) depicting a panoramic view of mountains and rivers. The millinium-old masterpiece is celebrated as a hallmark of blue-green landscape painting, a style that uses mineral-based pigments like malachite (green) and azurite (blue) to create bold, vibrant colors.
In the show, a cultural relic researcher who, while immersed in studying this nearly 12-meter-long scroll, travels through centuries to connect with the artist and understand how the masterpiece was created.
New York audiences were stunned by the skillful performance and the artistic production, as well as the significant cultural meaning that the show intends to deliver.
"[The] performers were incredible, the music was great, and, you know, it's artistic interpretation," said an audience member.
I just love the way how the painting came to life and how the process really just showcases their beautiful culture," said another attendee at the performance.
The cast and crew of the dance show expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to present such an intimate peek into Chinese culture for U.S. audiences.
"The enthusiastic responses from the New York audience went beyond my expectations, and when we were answering the curtain call, I heard their cheering becoming louder and louder. So, I was really lucky and really proud to be able to come to New York and to have the opportunity to showcase Chinese culture," said Zhang Han, one of the leading actors.
"A larger audience came to watch the dance show than we had expected. So, presenting the show in the United States, I think, meets the anticipation of both sides," said Han Zhen, the chief choreographer.
Chinese dance show awes US audiences with roots in ancient culture
