'Monkey King' to be staged as Broadway musical (2)

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This century will be the "China Century" and China will export its culture to the world, but to achieve this, China must do it "in a way the world can understand and appreciate," Stimac said.

The Monkey King is presented in a Broadway musical style, which offers incredible opportunities for creativity and could launch the China Century of culture, he said.

In his view, musicals have become the international language for countries to tell their stories: "Riverdance" shows Irish culture, "42nd Street" American culture, "Cats" and "Phantom of the Opera" show English culture, "Les Miserables" French culture, and the "Lion King" shows African culture; Countries all over the world are telling their stories in the musical style.

"Music and dance cross borders easily and so it has become the accepted style worldwide," he said.

Now Broadway is celebrating a timeless Chinese character in song and dance.

The "Monkey King" immediately grabs the audience with the powerful hip-hop opening, "Hands in the Air, It's Time to Celebrate," as the Monkeys discover their new home in the fruit and flower mountain.

As the Monkey King embarks on his journey to learn the secrets of the universe from the Sage and acquire his magical weapon from the Dragon King, there are surprises galore, and the legendary characters become all too human. For example, the Dragon King sings a wildly funny song called "Don't Touch My Stuff."

As Americans copied and changed European musical theater styles, then made their own brands, "now China is copying foreign musical styles, like the Chinese versions of 'Mamma Mia' and 'Cats,' and next it will change those styles, and soon after China will create its own style of musicals," Stimac said.

He added that the "Monkey King" is taking the first step by creating a fusion of East and West and integrating elements of scenery, costumes, lights, sound, special effects, pyrotechnics, projections, acrobatics and Kung Fu.

Stimac said he wants to "build a show that will run for decades, not weeks."

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