From April 18th to 27th, the musical "A Date in This Life" will be performed at the Shanghai Theatre, a theatrical feast that combines soulful music, twists and turns and stunning visuals, waiting for every audience to embark on this theatrical journey that spans life and death.
Artistic director Lai Shengchuan joined hands with Huang Shengyi, Cai Xinru, Xu Hao, Yu Hongyang and other starring lineups, as well as director Cheng Peixian, composer Xu Weizun, music director Sun Yuzhuo and other main creative teams all appeared on the stage, not only released the gripping theme song "Under the Spotlight", but also had an in-depth dialogue with audiences around the world who were waiting for it, revealing the charm of music and story intertwined in the play.
The event was the first to open with music, and all the actors sang the long-awaited theme song "Under the Spotlight" in the play. As the lyrics say, they kicked off the conference with "gorgeous costumes, warm opening". It is understood that the musical "A Date in This Life" is the second musical produced by the theater after "Love Shangri-La". The play is produced by Lai Shengchuan as the artistic director, the famous playwright Shen Yue's original script, Lai Shengchuan's exclusive theater - Shanghai Theater Production, and Shanghai Hexi Culture Communication Co., Ltd. co-production.
The music part of the play is the ingenuity of the main creative team for many years. Composer Xu Weizun shared on the spot that the 19 songs in "A Date in This Life", including this song, have been carefully polished by the main creative team. Since 2020, it has been "grinding" for three years. After entering the rehearsal room, the main creators, the actors, and director Lai Shengchuan all discussed and revised together. Lai Shengchuan's unique insights into music have also given the creator new inspiration. At the same time, his "check" on the creative framework also gave the music production of the play full confidence. The music and lyrics in the play have been continuously polished, and the incubated works truly compose the voices of the characters, which will bring an audio-visual feast to the audience.
In addition, this is also the first appearance of the costumes and choreography of the musical "A Date in This Life". The performance of "Under the Spotlight" reproduces the glorious moment when the members of the Experimental Drama Club finally returned to the stage of their dreams after a fifteen-year absence. The stage design is simple and retro industrial, with five revolving doors and two sets of giant staircases, realizing the magic of the transient transformation of the scene, showing the ingenuity of Hong Kong-based space designer Wong Kin Wai. He sketches the boundaries of time and space in a blank space, and vividly portrays the style of different eras through the poetic combination of scenery and props. When this design meets the light and shadow magic of lighting designer Cheng Chien-shiung, the thematic colors of each scene jump into view, guiding the audience to move freely in front of and behind the scenes like a time-traveler, starting a novel and immersive theatrical journey.
This time, Huang Shengyi, who played the heroine of "A Date in This Life", challenged the musical stage for the first time. The film and television star, who successfully portrayed Chekhov's wife Oujia in the drama "Let Me Hold Your Hand...... directed by Lai Shengchuan, is now bravely embarking on the road of musicals, not only to show superb acting skills, but also to challenge the all-round role of singing and dancing. Xu Hao, a young talent who partnered with Huang Shengyi, admitted that during the rehearsal process, he was deeply affected by Huang Shengyi's professionalism, and he benefited a lot from the exchanges and mutual learning between the two sides in music.
Lai Shengchuan also affectionately interpreted the moving origin behind the creation of "A Date in This Life". The play is adapted from the original script of screenwriter Shen Yue, and tells a life fable about choice, miss and persistent pursuit. However, behind the script, Shen Yue's own story is even more moving. Shen Yue, who was born in a diplomatic family and has long been committed to the promotion of overseas Chinese dramas, has always been optimistic and tenacious in life with optimism and tenacity, although she was attacked by cancer in the late 90s of the 20th century and fought tenaciously against the disease three times, she has always smiled at life with optimism and tenacity, and actively participated in cancer prevention public welfare undertakings. She once confided in Lai Shengchuan that she hoped that there would be a play to inherit her spirit. The story of "A Date in This Life" was chosen for its profound connotation and potential for musical adaptation, thus giving birth to this work that carries the power of life and the charm of art.
Lai Shengchuan said: ""A Date in This Life" itself is a moving story, and behind it is an even more moving story. Sometimes, in the face of a strong person like Shen Yue, I always feel that art is very small, but life is so big. Shen Yue's story allows us to see too much wisdom in life. Three times she faced the most vicious disease, and three times she mustered up the courage to face it head-on. She is the embodiment of courage, a most touching story. ”
Reporter: Cao Xiangyu
Editor: Geng Jieyu
Reviewer: Wei Li