A hotbed for musicals in China

Another initiative by Shanghai Culture Square is an international forum on the development of the musical industry in China that will take place in April.

Also in attendance at the news conference announcing the festival as a special guest was veteran pop musician Jonathan Lee, who spoke about a new musical consisting of a dozen of his most celebrated songs. The show will be produced by China Broadway Entertainment Co Ltd, a Beijing-based live entertainment production and management group that had previously achieved success by producing China's first jukebox musical, The Jay Chou Musical, a few years ago.

Lee's musical will feature John Rando, the same director as The Jay Chou Musical. While Chou is a singer-songwriter best known for depicting youthful sentiments and love stories, Lee appeals more to mature and sophisticated urban women in Chinese society. Zhong Lifang, producer of China Broadway Entertainment, says that it was her ambition to present Lee's evergreen hit songs in a new context.

"If we do a good job, a hundred years later, people will still be moved by big brother Lee's songs in the theater."

Lee's musical, which has yet to be officially named, is expected to premiere by the end of the year.

Contact the writer at zhangkun@chinadaily.com.cn