A poster for Mulan. [Photo/Yongpai App]

A Chinese original dance drama from Ningbo will return to the United States this September, bringing the legendary story of Hua Mulan to one of New York's most prestigious cultural venues.

Created by the Ningbo Performance & Arts Group, Mulan will be staged four times from Sept 18 to 20 at the David H. Koch Theater in New York City's Lincoln Center. This marks the production's New York debut and its second US tour, following performances in Boston and Washington, D.C. in 2023.

Directed by renowned choreographers Zhou Liya and Han Zhen, the production explores filial piety, loyalty, and love through the story of Hua Mulan, a young woman who takes her father's place in the army.

Since its 2017 premiere at the National Center for the Performing Arts, Mulan has been performed more than 100 times worldwide. Its 2023 US tour won enthusiastic applause from audiences and praise from local media. Tweed Roosevelt, a great-grandson of former US President Theodore Roosevelt and a professor at Long Island University, watched two consecutive performances and praised the show, remarking, "It is rare to see such a magnificent performance."

Its Lincoln Center debut is more than an overseas performance; it offers another opportunity for Chinese culture to connect with international audiences and foster mutual understanding through the arts.

Mulan's 2023 performance in the US. [Photo/Yongpai App]