A scene from Chinese dance drama Mulan, which was performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington on Friday. Three more performances were scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. (Photo: Zhao Huanxin / China Daily)
Hua Mulan, the legendary daughter of an honored warrior who disguised herself as a man to take her ailing father's place during a conscription to counter an invasion in ancient China, danced at a packed hall at the Kennedy Center on Friday to the standing ovation of the audience.
Mulan, the folklore heroine who has been a household name in China, was presented in a dance drama in her namesake, after inspiring numerous creations, including the Disney's 1998 animated film of the same name, and a live-action adaptation in 2020.
An artistic, choreographed re-telling of the classic tale of the female Chinese warrior, the playMulanexplores the themes of self-identity and empowerment through remarkable and compelling dance numbers and exquisite music.
Unlike the traditional legend of Hua Mulan, which celebrates her warrior spirit, this award-winning modern interpretation created by the Ningbo Performing Arts Group in East China's Zhejiang province also reveals the strength in her pursuit of love and peace.
"It was really good. We've just seen the Disney version; it's a lot different than that. But we really appreciate the story itself," said Rachel Cavanaugh, a resident from Leesburg, Virginia. "I think it focuses on her power as a woman."
In the drama, Mulan, portrayed by Hao Ruoqi, one of China's most popular young dancers, is selfless, smart, and understands her moral responsibility, but her morality goes beyond just her small village to encompass her entire nation, and humanity as well.
Hao, an actress with the China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater, said there might be a thousand Mulan's in a thousand people's eyes, but there are things common to the audience however they are culturally and geographically different.
"I think the love and peace as emanated fromMulanis understandable and accepted both in China and the United States," she told China Daily.
At the center of Kennedy's Opera House is a "circular turntable", 15 meters in diameter and 7 tons in weight, which serves to break the limitations of time and space and create more scenes for a single stage.
It is where the fierce battles are fought, newly drafted men depart their loved ones, weary soldiers dream of reuniting with their families, and Mulan and General Wei get to understand each other better throughout her military journey.
Lisa Richards Toney, president and chief executive officer of the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, said what impressed her most was not just the ferocity of the warrior spirit thatMulanis presenting, but the love of humanity.
"I think that is a universal message that we all can aspire to all across the world," she said. "It's also a testament to women, because you know, we've got the X and the Y, or the yin and the yang quite well; we have that warrior, and we have that love."
Before the premiere, Li Baozong, general manager of China Arts and Entertainment Group, which presented the dance drama as part of its "Image China" show series, said the Mulan story is being presented on the stage in a new way, but will evoke similar feelings as it does in China.
"The loyalty, filial piety and patriotism in this work are also common emotions of mankind, and I believe that American audiences will certainly resonate," Li said.
Li's group has invited the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra to visit China, and has also sent performances of Chinese folk music, opera, folk dance, ballet and other arts to the US.
Speaking at a reception, Chinese Ambassador to the US Xie Feng noted that dancing transcends national borders and art is a universal language of all humanity.
Xie also said Mulan's courage and her love for family, for her country and for peace are qualities cherished in both Chinese and American societies.
"The same traits are necessary for today's China-US relationship: the courage to forge ahead, the resolve to blaze a new trail and the perceptiveness to look though the mists," the envoy said.
Three performances of the dance drama were scheduled for Sept 30 and Oct 1 at the Kennedy Center.
