Exchange Database
Kung Fu Hero musical will feature local performers
A Broadway-themed musical based on a legendary Chinese kung fu master, will be performed for free in Mandarin and English in Houston at the Miller Outdoor Theatre. The musical Kung Fu Hero will feature local talent and include colorful costumes, spectacular martial arts scenes and stunning choreography, according to Burton Wolfe, president and artistic director of Worldwide Stage, Inc., a non-profit entertainment organization based in Richmond, Texas. The musical is based on legendary kungfu hero Fong Sai Yuk from Guangdong who was portrayed by actor Jet Li in a 1993 Hong Kong film. Wolfe wrote the lyrics for the show while the music and orchestration were created by Scott Gehman, a professor at Houston Community College. Parts of the lyrics were translated into Chinese by Lawrence Wong, director of operations for Worldwide Stage.
Outcomes:
More than 40 dancers from Dance of Asian American (DAA) and more than 30 martial arts performers from Grandmaster Shi Xing Hao's Houston Shaolin Kung Fu Academy (HSKFA) will perform in the show. They have been rehearsing the program for the past few months. The musical is mostly created around HSKFA talents and Shi himself will perform a key role in the show. HSKFA has won numerous awards for the US team in international martial arts competitions. DAA is a talented local art group and it made an appearance on the popular television show America's Got Talent last year. Yang Song, the Chinese Consul for cultural affairs in Houston, praised the musical as one of a kind cultural event. "It fuses Chinese and American elements together. It's indeed quite innovative and creative. We not only get entertainment from this show, but also we get to know the philosophy and scope of Chinese martial arts. It takes the martial arts out of the Chinese community and brings it to the mainstream."
Government?:
Yes
Type of Exchange:
business
culture
Partners:
Miller Outdoor Theatre
Worldwide Stage
Inc.
Chinese Consul for cultural affairs
Participants (Types):
dancers and performers
Number of Participants:
70
Exchange Date:
Saturday, September 20, 2014 to Sunday, September 21, 2014
Continuing:
No
Image:
Level of Government:
national
Location:
Houston, Texas
*If you know more about this exchange, please contact us.