Shenzhen in Guangdong province is preparing to pull back the curtain on China's musical theater scene as it hosts the third National Showcase of Outstanding Musicals from December to January, bringing together 15 original Chinese productions selected from 67 submissions nationwide.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced the event at a news conference on Nov 4.
The showcase will take place at eight theaters across Shenzhen, with performances and a series of industry events highlighting the latest developments in China's musical theater scene.
The 15 selected productions, all created and staged since 2023, explore a broad range of subjects, from contemporary life and traditional culture to revolutionary history and literary adaptations.
The participating organizations include national and regional theater companies, arts schools, industry associations, performance venues and ticketing platforms.
The opening performance will be a musical gala featuring selections from acclaimed Chinese original musicals spanning different periods, alongside international classics. The program will also feature new productions selected for the showcase, works reflecting the cultural identity of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, including Cantonese-language musicals from Hong Kong, and excerpts from productions currently in development in Shenzhen.
In addition to performances, the showcase will host roundtable discussions bringing together professionals from across the musical theater industry to explore topics including original production, talent development, market operations, new business models, regional collaboration and international outreach.
Post-show discussions and meetings with creative teams will give audiences further opportunities to learn about the productions and the stories behind them.
The event also aims to take musical theater beyond traditional venues and into everyday urban life. Performers will present short excerpts at cultural venues, in shopping districts and public squares, and in old neighborhoods across Shenzhen, giving residents and visitors opportunities to experience musical theater in unexpected settings.
He Yawen, deputy director of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's Department of Arts, said China's musical theater market has maintained strong growth in recent years, with original productions showing increasing vitality. The showcase is expected to provide a broader platform for creators and performers while presenting the latest achievements of the country's musical theater industry.
