China Will Get Musical Makeover with $323 Million Theatre Center in Langfang

China is about to get more musical, according to a recent report from China News Service. Langfang, a city outside of Bejing will soon get a $323 million musical center- an investment made by Ovation Cultural Development group and the local government of Hebei province. Set to open in 2017, the 1 million square-foot facility will include not only theatres, but other arts related ares.

Before the project is completed, the new company will present a Mandarin version of Into the Woods, which will play Langfang in November before embarking on a Chinese tour.

Ovation Cultural Development general managaer told CNS: ""Mamma Mia! and Cats made a great step to introduce musicals in Chinese to audiences here. But apart from the singing, everything else has been done in a Western way by Western production companies, costumes and body language included. We want to further localize the Western art form."

He continued: "The musical market in China is very promising. Unlike some other Western art forms, like opera and ballet, musicals are commercial and entertaining. It doesn't require professional knowledge to appreciate."

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