Lai's latest musical offering
Source: Shanghai Daily |
January 29, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FAMED playwright and director Lai Sheng-chuan (Stan Lai) will stage his new musical work "Love" at the Shanghai City Theatre in Minhang on February 17 and 18.
"Love" is the theme of February because Valentine's Day falls in the month. Lai, known for his award-winning play "Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land," has been successful in exploring personal relationships on stage.
As artistic director of the new production, Lai will stage his musical work with the Taipei Performance Group.
The work tells the true story of a blind, young pianist from Taiwan and his teacher from the United States. Music sits at the soul of their relationship, drawn from blues and pop to Chopin and Taiwan folk songs.
Xu Zhecheng, the 27-year-old pianist, was born blind. He exhibited musical talent in infancy, learning to play the piano when he was three. He started winning awards when he was nine and became a protege of John Denton Vaughan, an associate professor at Soochow University, when he was 11.
Xu went to Austria briefly for further study but failed to get a graduation certificate because he couldn't pass an exam on the history of music due to his blindness.
The young man's tenacity and optimism touched his teacher, and under Vaughan's tutelage for 16, Xu blossomed into a fine concert pianist.
Vaughan famously remarked that he started out as Xu's teacher but later it was Xu who actually taught him more.
"Xu has better hearing and a deeper insight into life, maybe because he's blind," Vaughn said.
In the play, Xu and Vaughan will share their experiences and shed light on the essence of true happiness.
"The color of life is somewhere between black and white," Xu said.
Two pianos are used as props, and the drama is divided into three acts.
Ding Naizheng, director of the play, said she blindfolded herself during many rehearsals to get a feeling of what it is like to be blind. She also had Xu touch her face frequently to get a feel for facial expressions.
"Love" is the first time the Taipei Performance Group has played the Shanghai City Theater. The play has had more than 20 performances in Taiwan.
Performances here start at 7:30pm, and ticket prices range between 100 yuan (US$15) and 580 yuan.
"Love" is the theme of February because Valentine's Day falls in the month. Lai, known for his award-winning play "Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land," has been successful in exploring personal relationships on stage.
As artistic director of the new production, Lai will stage his musical work with the Taipei Performance Group.
The work tells the true story of a blind, young pianist from Taiwan and his teacher from the United States. Music sits at the soul of their relationship, drawn from blues and pop to Chopin and Taiwan folk songs.
Xu Zhecheng, the 27-year-old pianist, was born blind. He exhibited musical talent in infancy, learning to play the piano when he was three. He started winning awards when he was nine and became a protege of John Denton Vaughan, an associate professor at Soochow University, when he was 11.
Xu went to Austria briefly for further study but failed to get a graduation certificate because he couldn't pass an exam on the history of music due to his blindness.
The young man's tenacity and optimism touched his teacher, and under Vaughan's tutelage for 16, Xu blossomed into a fine concert pianist.
Vaughan famously remarked that he started out as Xu's teacher but later it was Xu who actually taught him more.
"Xu has better hearing and a deeper insight into life, maybe because he's blind," Vaughn said.
In the play, Xu and Vaughan will share their experiences and shed light on the essence of true happiness.
"The color of life is somewhere between black and white," Xu said.
Two pianos are used as props, and the drama is divided into three acts.
Ding Naizheng, director of the play, said she blindfolded herself during many rehearsals to get a feeling of what it is like to be blind. She also had Xu touch her face frequently to get a feel for facial expressions.
"Love" is the first time the Taipei Performance Group has played the Shanghai City Theater. The play has had more than 20 performances in Taiwan.
Performances here start at 7:30pm, and ticket prices range between 100 yuan (US$15) and 580 yuan.
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