A scene from the Chinese language version of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change debuts at the Beijing Capital Theater on Wednesday, June 20th, 2007.
A Mandarin version of off-Broadway's long-running hit, I Love You, You Are Perfect, Now Change, debuted at the Beijing Poly Theatre on Wednesday night, June 20, 2007.
Pop singer Lin Yilun led the four-member cast, stepping up to the challenge of switching between 16 characters and performing a mix of pop, jazz and blues.
"To play in a musical has always been my dream and I never thought I can realize the dream so soon! To sing dance and perform on the stage at the same time is very challenging. I love a challenge! I've put over 100 percent into it and I have succeeded. I am very proud of myself."
The musical comedy is about the human being's external love. It narrates 16 stories showing different kinds of love in different phases of life. Niu Jie a student of the China Conservatory of Music said this comedy has forced her to reconsider what love is, how to love and why there are still many people haven't found their true love.
"In modern society, more and more people are suffering from the bitterness of failing to find their lover. It is a problem of standards. In reality there is no perfect person waiting for us. We should learn to appreciate 'perfection with flaws'. Only in this way can we enjoy the sweetness of love."
Although most of the four Chinese players have very little musical performing experience, they showed their talents in their first trial and received a lot of praise and recognition from professionals. Michael Sag, senior manager of Broadway Asia Entertainment, the co-producing company of this show, highly praised these four young performers.
"They were very very good! I think their singing is fantastic. I think their acting is extremely impressive and the little bit of dancing they do I think they do very very good job!"
Many famous stars also showed up to attend the premiere, including acknowledged Chinese artist Zhu Shimao, well-known singer Cheng Fangyuan and Zhang Mi. They came to Poly Theatre not only to feel love in the beautiful, industrial night, but also to show their attention and support to the musical's development in China.
Elmar Ottenthal, the artistic director of Global Stage Entertainment & Production CO., LTD, expects more Chinese productions of Chinese musical, not merely the adoption of American ones.
"They want to see the Chinese culture influence. They want to see and hear Chinese music and the way of their drama. I know the world is waiting for this! So I only can tell: please Chinese artists do it yourselves! Don't copy Americans!"
The musical comedy has just come back from its successful performance trip from New York. As the first foreign production of an American musical played in the United States, I Love You, You Are Perfect, Now Change, is considered a milestone in American theatre history.
The Mandarin version of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change runs at the Beijing Poly Theatre from June 20th to 24th.
(CRI.cn June 21, 2007)
