Peony Pavilion headed for Broadway

The Beijing Performing Arts Group, Broadway Asia International and Huairou district government are jointly planning a musical based on the Chinese Kunqu Opera The Peony Pavilion, which is expected to premiere in Beijing, in July 2011, before moving on to Broadway.

Written by Tang Xianzu (1550-1616), The Peony Pavilion, tells a story of forbidden love, death and resurrection. With an eye on a long Broadway run, the show will first be performed in English, with the Chinese version coming later.

"We chose the tale because it is accessible to an international audience. It is a love story but also involves the history and culture of China that we hope to take to a world audience," says Simone Genatt, chairman of Broadway Asia International, who promises to bring a first-class Broadway team to collaborate with Chinese artists.