Musical based on young people building new economic area

The original Chinese musical production, The City of Stars, will be staged in Beijing from Sept 28 to Oct 1.

As the first original Chinese musical production of the China Oriental Performing Arts Group, it tells the story of young people who contribute and work for the Xiong'an New Area in north China's Hebei province.

On April 1, 2017, China announced plans to establish the Xiong'an New Area, located about 100 kilometers southwest of Beijing, with the aim of building the region — spanning Rongcheng, Anxin and Xiongxian counties — into a national model of high-quality development and a new engine for the economic system.

The China Oriental Performing Arts Group worked with the government of the Xiong'an New Area to produce the musical, unveiling the efforts and ambition behind that project.

With veteran director Wang Xiaoying as the artistic director, the musical, composed by Tan Xuan, features star musical performers, such as Zheng Qiyuan, Ju Hongchuan and Wang Yizhe, who have a large fan base among Chinese musical lovers.

In April, the performing group launched its musical team in Beijing, aiming at producing and staging original Chinese musicals.

The City of Stars will tour nationwide after its premiere in Beijing.