Trio of famous musicals set for their debut in Shanghai

Carmen La Cubana was directed by Christopher Renshaw, with new orchestrations by Tony Award winning musician Alex Lacamoire based on the classical score of Georges Bizet. According to Le Parisien's critique of its premiere in 2016, the production is "hugely enjoyable and sexy...a fantastic adaptation".

The production, which is set in 1958 and depicts the turmoil of the revolution in Cuba, mixes opera with salsa, mambo and cha-cha. Premiered in Paris in 2016, it has been touring extensively in Europe and North America.

Gone with the Wind, which would be shown from Dec 29 to Jan 13, 2019, is a new English adaptation from the French musical production of the same name with music and lyrics by Gerard Presgurvic. The French musical premiered in Paris in 2003 before coming to a close in 2004 after touring major cities in France, Belgium and Switzerland. A Korean edition starring award-winning film actors and pop idols from South Korea has also been produced.

Presgurvic, whose creation of Romeo et Juliette was performed at SCS in 2012, will be the music director of the new English edition. The actors will consist of veterans who used to play the heroine in The Phantom of the Opera and the hero in Evita.

The novel by Margret Mitchell and the 1939 movie starring Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable have both enjoyed great popularity in China.

The third play, A Chorus Line, will be shown from Jan 17 to 27. The show won nine of the 12 Tony Awards it was nominated for and is also the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1976. A Chorus Line is a story about how performers and choreographers strive for success as they pursue their dreams.

"It is a musical about musicals. It provides a glimpse into the backstage and personalities of the musical industry," Fei said.

According to Yang Yue, a spokesperson of the theater, SCS has already opened the box office for the three winter season productions. Purchasing tickets for all three shows would be 40 percent cheaper than the original price. There will also be 20 and 10 percent discounts for specific tickets in August and September respectively.