As the Chinese New Year fast approaches, Shanghai is preparing to showcase a rich tapestry of cultural performances to revel in. Here are some of the standout highlights:

1. Original Broadway Musical The Sound of Music

Open: Feb 6-25

Venue: Majestic Theater, No 66 Jiangning Road, Jing'an district

A poster for The Sound of Music. [Photo/Majestic Theater]

From Feb 6 to 25, the Majestic Theater will host The Sound of Music, one of the most beloved Broadway musicals internationally. Additionally, the musical will be launching a Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea at the J Hotel Shanghai Tower in collaboration with the Majestic Theater.

2. Dance Drama The Ninth Year of Yonghe

Open: Feb 14-15

Venue: Shanghai Culture Square, No 597 Middle Fuxing Road, Huangpu district

A poster for the dance drama The Ninth Year of Yonghe. [Photo/Shanghai Culture Square]

The Ninth Year of Yonghe, the first domestic dance drama based on Chinese calligraphy, draws inspiration from the renowned piece Lantingji Xu, or Preface to the Collection of Poems Composed by the Orchid Pavilion.

It integrates the famous lines of the preface as the central theme of the dance drama, using lyrical and narrative techniques combined with the charm of calligraphy and literati sentiment in its choreography.

3. New Year Concert at Shanghai Oriental Art Center

Open: Feb 16, 7: 30 pm

Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center, No 425 Dingxiang Road, Pudong New Area

A poster for the New Year Concert at Shanghai Oriental Art Center. [Photo/Shanghai Oriental Art Center]

This concert will feature a captivating blend of ancient music, contemporary compositions, a fusion of Chinese and Western styles, and a diverse array of Haitian folk music, creating a rich tapestry to welcome the New Year and embrace new dreams.

The concert stands out for its innovative musical style, instrumental arrangement, and presentation. Alongside beloved classics, the performance will showcase inventive compositions to add to the celebration of Chinese New Year with joyful and serene folk music.

4. Children's Musical Peter and the Wolf

Open: 2: 30 pm & 7: 30 pm on Feb 16

Venue: Shanghai City Theater, No 4889 Dushi Road, Minhang district

A poster for the children's musical Peter and the Wolf. [Photo/Shanghai City Theater]

Adapted from the renowned symphonic fairytale for children by Soviet composer Prokofiev, Peter and the Wolf has been directed by Liu Xiaoyi, enrapturing audiences nationwide since its premiere in 2018, having been performed over 100 times.

5. Classic British Farce The Play That Goes Wrong

Open: Feb 14-25

Venue: Jasmine Theatre, No 247 Beihai Road, Huangpu district

A poster for the classic British farce The Play That Goes Wrong. [Photo/Jasmine Theatre]

This play humorously depicts the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society's endeavor to stage a 1920s murder mystery titled The Murder at Haversham Manor. However, as the eight accident-prone thespians battle against the odds, everything that can go wrong does, leading to a comedic struggle to reach their final curtain call.

6. 2024 Spring Festival Concert

Open: Feb 11 - Feb 12, 7:30 pm

Venue: Cadillac Shanghai Concert Hall

Address: No 523 East Yan'an Road, Huangpu district

A poster for the 2024 Spring Festival Concert at Cadillac Shanghai Concert Hall. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaitourism]

The symphony is formed by the Bruckner Orchester Linz, one of Austria's three major symphony orchestras, with Chen Lei, the lifelong first principal as the artistic director. Over the past 20 years, the orchestra has performed a wide repertoire including classical, romantic and popular modern music.

7. Broadway hit Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812

Open: Jan 13 - March 3

Venue: Bocom New Bund 31 Performing Arts Center

Address: No 777 West Gaoqing Road, Pudong New Area

A poster for the Broadway hit Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaitourism]

Adapted from Tolstoy's War and Peace, the acclaimed Broadway musical Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 reimagines a segment from the second volume that features Natasha, Pierre and Anatole as central characters. The musical was praised as "Broadway's most innovative musical since Hamilton" and received 12 Tony Award nominations in 2017.

Source: "shanghaitourism" WeChat account