"Legends" Premieres: A Riveting Performance Audience Captivated with Thunderous Applause

The long-awaited "Legends" Original Musical premiered on the evening of October 12 at the Segerstrom Hall in Orange County, attracting a large crowd that filled the venue to capacity. This musical artfully blended Eastern and Western musical elements, including orchestral, rock, and traditional dance, along with Chinese martial arts and rhythmic gymnastics, enhanced by dynamic multimedia animations. The performances vividly brought to life the legendary tales of MuLan, the Monkey King, and NeZha, immersing the audience in a mesmerizing journey through history. As the curtain fell, the cast received a standing ovation that lasted several minutes, creating a powerful and emotional atmosphere.

Meticulously planned by the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center, "Legends" is an original musical composed by conductor Bin He, who led the South Coast Chinese Orchestra, the Chinese Dance Company of Southern California, and various martial arts groups in this large-scale production. With over 200 performers involved, the show was notable not only for its size but also for its unique combination of music, dance, martial arts, and gymnastics to narrate the stories of three legendary Chinese figures. Following the announcement of the performance, anticipation within the community soared.

By 6 PM, long lines formed outside the Segerstrom Hall as attendees underwent security checks in eager anticipation of the show. When the performance began at 7 PM, the 3,000-seat auditorium buzzed with energy, nearly full to capacity. The evening kicked off with Peter Jia , founder of the South California "Time Theater," explaining the essence of "Legends" and reciting the classic poem "Heroic Women." The combination of Eastern and Western instruments, traditional dances, modern rock, and martial arts, synchronized with stunning animations on multiple screens, created a breathtaking spectacle. The lead actors portraying MuLan, the Monkey King, and NeZha, along with dozens of dancers and martial artists, captivated the audience from start to finish, eliciting continuous applause after each musical segment.

Bin He highlighted that the Original Musical consists of 15 movements, each telling the heroic stories of MuLan, the Monkey King, and NeZha. For example, MuLan's tale of filial piety and bravery was brought to life with the accompaniment of the erhu, guzheng, and traditional drums, beautifully illustrating her spirit and strength. The Monkey King's journey, from his birth to becoming the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, was expressed through a dialogue of Eastern and Western instruments, while NeZha’s narrative, adapted from the 16th-century Chinese novel "Investiture of the Gods," was conveyed using a blend of percussion instruments, illustrating his quest for justice and miraculous rebirth.

The three lead actors are exceptionally talented Asian American youths. Katelyn Hu, who played MuLan, received top awards at the KAP Dance Competition; Albert Liu, portraying the Monkey King, was selected for the U.S. National Martial Arts Team; and Heather Chen, who took on the role of NeZha, had previously been a member of the U.S. National Gymnastics Team.

In her remarks before the second act, Janie Tsao, president of the South Coast Chinese Cultural Association, emphasized that "Legends" was the result of collaboration among the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center, Bin He's musical direction, and the combined efforts of orchestra, dance troupe, martial arts students, and community artists. With participants ranging in age from 5 to 83, the diverse group demonstrated that non-professional actors could deliver an extraordinary performance, embodying the very essence of "legends" She expressed gratitude to Bin He for his musical talent and passion, as well as to the audience for supporting the Cultural Center's efforts to promote Chinese Culture and strengthen community ties.

Yulan Chung, CEO of the South Coast Chinese  Cultural Center, noted that many immigrants come to America in pursuit of freedom, democracy, and diversity. As a Cultural Hub, the Culture Center aims to contribute to ethnic integration through Chinese Cultural Heritage. The enthusiastic audience response reaffirmed the power of art in bridging cultural divides.

To thank the audience for their support of "Legends" and the promotion of Chinese Culture, SCCCC hosted a "Follow SCCCC for Gifts" event. Many attendees eagerly visited the service desk to show their social media followings and select commemorative items, such as traditional instruments and themed souvenirs, creating a celebratory conclusion to this original musical.