Chinese musical to take Broadway stage on regular basis

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An original Chinese musical "Shimmer: A Story of Jews in Shanghai" sealed a deal on Monday to be staged on a regular basis for two years on Broadway in New York City, starting 2019.

The producer, Shanghai’s Eternal Drama, signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment, the Broadway-based company on the same day. The musical will also be staged in Shanghai, to pave the path for future global tour.

It is the first time a Chinese original musical has exported its copyright to Broadway, and being performed regularly. But it was not the first encounter between "Shimmer" and Broadway. The musical had made its debut there on December 6, 2016, attracting the interest of many producers and investors.

A deal sealed in Shanghai for the musical "Jews in Shanghai" to take Broadway stage. /Handout Photo

The musical is based on the historical background of Shanghai providing shelter for the Jewish refugees during World War Two. Around 20,000 Jewish people lived in the east China coastal city in the 1930s and 1940s.

"Shimmer: A Story of Jews in Shanghai" while focusing on the romance between Jewish young engineer Frank and Shanghai woman Lin Yilan, depicted the living conditions of the Jewish people in Shanghai, and their friendship with the local residents.

The musical premiered in Shanghai in September 2015, and had become an instant hit. Only five days after the debut, it was selected as the opening show at the 17th Shanghai International Arts Festival.

Musical "Jews in Shanghai" performed in Shanghai. /Handout Photo

According to the producers, in order to present a panoramic picture of the history, the team has dedicated two years collecting information and interviewing the Jews who lived in Shanghai at the time.

It was also invited to Israel this year, which marks the 25th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and Israel.

A poster of musical "Jews in Shanghai"‍. /Handout Photo

In the coming two years, the musical will be further polished and rehearsed, so as to be more adaptive to Broadway standards and to get ready for regular performances. Auditions for actors will also be launched in New York City.

The year 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the China-US diplomatic relations, and with the Broadway success of 'Shimmer', the artists of the two countries have also been trying to find ways for future cooperation.

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