Washington DC

WASHINGTON DC— NTDTV is thrilled that its DC Gala will be presented this year at the venerable National Theatre, located in the heart of Washington, three blocks east of the White House. Nearby are the downtown shopping district, Metro Center, the Washington Convention Center, the Mall, and the Smithsonian Institution. With 1676 seats in the orchestra, mezzanine, and balcony, the National Theatre is Washington's "Broadway-type" theatre. It is known as an "actor's theatre" because of its excellent acoustics. Words spoken on the stage can be heard in the balcony without amplification. Audiences applaud its intimacy: the mezzanine is lower and closer to the stage than in modern theatres. "Showboat" had its world premiere at the National in the 1920's. In more recent times the theatre has been host to the premieres of "West Side Story" and the American premiere of "Amadeus."

And so it seems most fitting that this grand location should be host to NTDTV's "Myths and Legends," which blends Chinese and Western performances into an energetic mix of song, dance, drama and humor, with a twist. While they dazzle with color and sound, the mythology conveyed through many of the performances opens a world of often forgotten Chinese culture to its audiences. The "Myths and Legends" presented provide a vehicle to reconnect Chinese people with their rich heritage, and westerners with a world of traditions unknown, but yet deeply moving.

As Rutang Chen, a world-class musician and last year's Artistic Director explained, “...the Chinese people had a culture for thousands of years that was very spiritual. The relationship between man, the world around him and the divine was of great importance to our ancestors. They showed respect to nature, had faith in Buddhas, Taos, etc., and stressed humbleness, virtue and morals. What’s known as ‘myths and legends’ today were really an essential part of our cultural heritage. And many aspects of the Chinese culture today still reflect that deeply rooted heritage.”

Mr. Chen went on to explain, “Our goal is not just to present an entertaining, eye-dazzling show—you can find those shows in plenty of other places. In addition to the entertainment, our Gala aims at bringing to our audience the essence, the true spirit of the Chinese culture expressed in the forms of performing arts. I hope that after the show our audience will go home with a deeper understanding and connection to the Chinese culture.”

The performances will be broadcast worldwide for an estimated audience of between 200-300 million viewers. We hope that you'll be one of the lucky ones who have a chance to enjoy the Gala in person, and be swept up in its song and story for many years to come.