Theater of dreams

The Legend of Kungfu, the best-selling show of China Heaven Creation. Photo Provided to China Daily

Of the 50-odd theaters in Branson City - the third largest performing arts center after Broadway and Las Vegas in the United States - the White House Theatre is undoubtedly one of the most popular.

Unlike other shows in the Missouri city, the vast majority of shows staged at this theater are the exotic, Oriental kind that captivate the audience and bring with it fresh thrills to the city's artistic productions.

The White House Theatre became the first fully-owned Chinese theater in the US after its current owner, the Beijing-based China Heaven Creation International Performing Arts Company, acquired the facilities for about $6.5 million (4.92 million euros) in 2009.

Thanks to this bold move, as other Chinese performing arts groups are still seeking ways to enter the international performing arts market, China Heaven Creation has already successfully brought its classics to the mainstream US audience in less than two years, thereby giving it an unparalleled edge.

The best way to make China's performing arts products approach the mainstream Western audience is to make better use of commercial channels and to manage shows in what is essentially a market-oriented operation, says Cao Xiaoning, executive director of China Heaven Creation.

"Ticket sales will reflect whether a popular show in China is still adored in other countries. Let the market determine if it should survive or not," Cao says.

By far the best-selling show of China Heaven Creation is a theatrical makeover of Chinese ancient martial art spectacle called The Legend of Kungfu, which is also China's top-grossing show of all time in overseas markets. In 2011 alone, the show notched up sales revenue of more than 60 million yuan ($9.5 million, 7.1 million euros), and the figure is expected to double this year, Cao predicts.

The show's choreography is a thrilling blend of fantastic feats of kung fu artistry, emotion-filled ballet and modern dance, high-flying acrobatics and enchanting original music, which tells the story of a young man who embarks on an epic journey to enlightenment after undergoing a series of formidable trials and overcoming obstacles.

Cao attributes the success of The Legend of Kungfu to its Broadway style, which he thought is unlike any other kung fu stunt from China and is more likely to be accepted by Western audience.

"If a Chinese performing arts show wants to enter the mainstream market in a foreign country, it must be in a way that is acceptable to local people," Cao says.

liulu@chinadaily.com.cn