First Silk Road Themed Musical Aspires to Strike a Chord With a Global Audience

Before landing on Broadway next year, the international tour of the original musical "Sound of the Silk Road" will kick off on November 27 at Shanghai's AIA Grand Theater.

As the first Silk Road-themed musical from China created for the international market, the show, which will have a four-day run in Shanghai, represents a significant effort to align Chinese culture with global aesthetics and explore new pathways for international outreach.

The musical was developed over five years in close collaboration with the Nederlander Organization, one of the largest and most experienced managers of entertainment properties in the world. It is produced by Don Frantz, co-producer of musicals "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Lion King," and directed by Gabriel Barre, a 13-time Drama Desk Award winner.

The score features 16 original songs blending Eastern and Western styles, composed by famous Hong Kong musician Peter Kam and Chinese mainland lyricist Liang Mang.

The musical follows teenager Joey, who accidentally travels back to the capital city – Chang'an – of the Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 220) and becomes entangled in events that shape history. Set against magnificent recreations of ancient Chang'an, the production features a rotating armillary sphere, handmade puppets, and an 8-meter-high Han-style tower.

Based on feedbacks from the audience in Shanghai, the production team also plans to fine-tune the show's elements such as narrative pacing, musical resonance, and emotional impact and ultimately craft a version that resonates more deeply with international audiences.