For the first time in a major city outside of China (Asia), the Chinese National Award-winning dance drama, “The Red Dress” by the China Ningbo Performance & Arts Group will be performed at the David H. Koch Theater (Lincoln Center) this week Thursday, March 6 – Sunday, 9, 2014. The Red Dress is directed by Wang Xlaying, with choreography by Yim Mei and the Composer is Lan Tian. The Stage Art designer is Dai Yannian and the Lighting Designer is Xing Xin. The spectacular production is presented by The China Arts & Entertainment Group (CAEG), a creative enterprise under the administration of the Ministry of Culture for the People’s Republic of China. The engagement is the third production in the hope of an ongoing relationship between CAEG and the David H. Koch Theater. These presentations showcase China’s historical contribution to the world of theater and art by presenting the finest in Chinese contemporary and classical performing arts to the United States.

The Red Dress tells the touching love story of a young man and young woman from two rich families in an ancient town in southern China. Sweethearts since they were young, they fell in love then moved apart. A promise of marriage makes the beautiful bride-to-be wait for many years for her dream of a red wedding dress. A tale of loyalty, tradition and love, The Red Dress features a company of more than 45 dancers who bring this astonishing tale to life through grand spectacle and movement.

China Ningbo Performance & Arts Group includes: Ningbo Xiaobaihua Yue Opera Company (former Ningbo Yue Opera Troupe), Ningbo Yong Opera Company (former Ningbo Yong Opera Troupe), Ningbo Song and Dance Company (former Ningbo Song and Dance Troupe), Décor Design Center, Phoenix Baihua Theater, and Baiyun Children’s Arts Theater, etc. It has a staff of 312, including artists who have received the Plum Blossom Award for traditional Chinese operas, Special Allowances from the State Council, and acclaim and fame in the areas of the arts. The dance productions of Chine Ningbo Performance & Arts Group mainly focus on the features of Southern China and characteristics of Ningbo as a port city. They have produced many notable award-winning stage works. The Red Dress won the 11th National Spiritual Civilization Five Top Project Prize, and the Excellent Repertoire Award of the 7th China Dance Lotus Award.

In addition to The Red Dress, the group has also created and performed many national and provincial award-winning dance works, including Great View Here winning the gold award of Zhejiang Music and Dance Festival; Soul of the Road that won the Excellent Repertoire Award of Zhejiang; The River All Red winning the Silver Award in dance drama category of the 2nd China Dance Lotus Award; Crying won the Gold Award of Zhejiang Youth Dance Competition; Great Port of the Orient won the First Prize of Zhejiang Music and Dance Festival; Azure won the Second Prize of Zhejiang Youth Dance Competition; and the musical Tell the Sea won the 12th National Spiritual Civilization Five Top Project Prize.

Through the “Natural Stage” season and “Week of Ningbo Culture”, the group has shown the cultures and customs of Ningbo to vast audiences at home and abroad. The group has toured in France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Madagascar and Chinese Taiwan and Hong Kong for cultural exchange.

The China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG), the first large publicly-owned cultural enterprise, was inaugurated after the merger of the China Performing Arts Agency (CPAA) and the China International Exhibition Agency, as a major step to transform Chinese culture and art institutions into modern enterprises. They are under the auspice of the Ministry of Culture, undertaking cultural exchange projects to promote and enhance Chinese culture in other countries. CAEG annually runs more than 5,000 shows, exhibitions and comprehensive cultural activities in hundreds of cities, regions, and in countries around the world.

Performances of “The Red Dress” are Thursday, March 6 – Saturday, March 8, at 8pm and Sunday, March 9 at 1pm. Tickets are: $23, $38, $58, $78, $98, & premium seats are also available. http://davidhkochtheater.com/