2024 'Legends' debuted at Segerstrom Hall, blending Chinese opera, Western strings, rock, martial arts, dance, and gymnastics. The show earned a 5-minute ovation, with audiences praising it and eagerly asking for a sequel.
Segerstrom Hall, with 3,000 seats and top-tier acoustics, has hosted only major symphonies and Broadway shows.
'Legends,' a musical by the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center and composer Bin He, is the first large-scale Chinese symphony musical there. Its debut sold out, impressing the staff.
"'Legends' made a box office hit for Chinese musicals and inspired 'Legends 2.0' this Mother's Day. The show honors mothers and thanks the audience for their support. See last year’s top comments below and join us for 'Legends 2.0' this year !
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University of California| Executive Director Office of Enrollment Management | Tony Hwang
Attending "Legends" at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts was an unforgettable experience. The performance seamlessly blended traditional Chinese and Western music, with an orchestra delivering a mesmerizing score crafted by a Chinese composer and conductor. The dancers and performers showcased breathtaking beauty, power, and precision, pairing perfectly with the orchestra.
What made this production remarkable was the fact that most performers and musicians were non-professionals from the Chinese American community, united by a desire to share their cultural heritage. As a community member, I felt immense pride and admiration.
"Legends" highlighted the significance of authentic cultural representation, offering a genuine perspective from the community itself. The rendition of Mulan, for instance, provided a refreshing contrast to Western adaptations.
This performance demonstrated the power of cultural artistry to bridge understanding between diverse communities. By providing a platform for authentic representation, it fosters empathy, appreciation, and cross-cultural connection. "Legends" was a world-class production showcasing Chinese culture's beauty and richness. Its impact extends far beyond the stage, promoting genuine understanding and connection.
Cadence Park Elementary School | Principal |Carlo Grasso
I just wanted to say how awesome Saturday night was! That was an excellent show. I especially liked the third act. The music, the dancing, the martial arts...all of it. It was such a fun night and I enjoyed learning more about Chinese culture. Thank you for the invitation and the tickets.
JSerra Catholic High School | Principal |Eric Stroupe
Thank you so much for the invitation. My family and I enjoyed the show and were amazed to learn that your conductor had also composed all of the music! Congratulations to your team on assembling so many talented performers in this production.
Pacific Symphony| Senior Director of Arts Engagement & Inclusion| Alison Levinson
Legends was such an inspiring work of creativity and musical storytelling. The performance brought many different instruments, art forms, ages, and genres together to tell the incredible story of three legends and showcased the artistic talent from within our community. Congratulations to the entire SCCCC community on the production of such an amazing event!
City of Irvine | Police Department | Threat Mitigation Officer | Rick Gramer
What an amazing show! I can’t thank you enough for the invitation to attend. My family and I had a blast. What a great success. Congratulations and thank you so much for including us. My family and I appreciate you and the team at SCCCC so much. Thank you.
Audience Brenda shared:
“Tonight, I had the joy of taking my kids to watch an immersive stage performance, Legends, Combineing traditional Chinese music, Western string instruments, rock, martial arts, dance, and rhythmic gymnastics. My children, who have learneds about Mulan, read Journey to the West, and listened to The Investiture of the Gods, could easily identify which scenes were based on which classical tales—how incredible! If the Chinese language is the kite string that connects us to our distant homeland, then artistic performances like this one are the bridge that deepens our children's sense of cultural identity. For two kids who have spent less than 60 days in China, their strong sense of national pride stems from their deep understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture. I hope we continue to see more original performances like Legends, showcasing the essence of our culture, passing it on, and enchanting audiences from all walks of life."
Audience Ivy Huang shared:
"Congratulations! What a breathtaking performance. To pull off a production of this scale is no easy feat. With 200 performers, 80% of them students, and 28 volunteers lending their support, this was truly a remarkable team effort. After thousands of hours of hard work, to see 3,000 audience members in awe is a testament to the high caliber of this cultural show. The audience around me was singing its praises throughout the night."
Audience Amy shared:
"It was a feast for the soul and a grand showcase of Chinese culture to the world. A few photos simply can’t capture the spirit of the performance. After months of effort by both the teachers and the kids, they were met with cheers of excitement and tears of joy from the audience. The standing ovation and the thunderous applause at the end was a well-deserved honor for every performer and backstage crew member."
Audience 藍山 shared:
"The original large-scale music and dance drama Legends was staged in a professional theater in Southern California that can hold 3,000 people, and I couldn't be prouder of my daughter. The brilliance of the Mulan, Monkey King, and Nezha scenes, the beauty of the music, and the grace of the dance moved me to tears. All I could do was keep pressing the shutter on my camera to capture these precious moments."
Audience Sylvia shared:
"My little boy said, ‘Mom, the music was so sad when Nezha sacrificed himself... I felt so heartbroken. But when he was reborn, I was so happy! And Mom, I really liked Sun Wukong’s song—I want to go home and play it for myself.’ Both of my kids were fully immersed throughout the entire show. Well done, Legend, you’ve truly succeeded. Congratulations!"
Audience Bessie shared:
"Tonight’s performance was absolutely stunning! The orchestra, the singing, the dancing, the martial arts, and the rhythmic gymnastics—all were spectacular. I’m so proud to be part of the Chinese community!"
Audience Jennifer shared:
"After watching USC's football team last night, I rushed to see this grand musical production by SCCCC. It was an awe-inspiring and deeply moving performance. To witness our Chinese culture portrayed with such professionalism on stage was truly emotional—I couldn't hold back my tears."
Audience shared:
"A grand ensemble, spectacular stage effects, exquisite musical performances, breathtaking dance artistry, powerful martial arts, and the graceful elegance of rhythmic gymnastics—all seamlessly brought together in one production. It was a true feast for the senses. The prolonged applause from the audience was the most direct and genuine reaction."
“The first original music stage production in the history of the Chinese community in Southern California has concluded successfully. The breathtaking visual effects, the thrilling melodies that lingered long after the performance, and the thoughtfully woven cultural themes have all been met with overwhelming praise. Everyone, both on stage and behind the scenes, contributed their utmost efforts to this production, each person laying their own brick in building this incredible achievement. Here, it’s not about individuals but about all of us, like countless droplets of water—streams flowing into rivers, rivers merging into seas—ultimately presenting Chinese culture and spirit upon this landscape, allowing its legacy to nourish this diverse land."
Orchestra member Julie shared:
"A big round of applause for the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center! This performance was a tremendous success. I have to say, the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center and Irvine Chinese school are probably the best in the nation."
Other Orchestra members’ thoughts:
◆ "Thank you, Julie, for sharing so many backstage highlights. Even though my husband didn’t fully understand all the details of last night's performance, he thoroughly enjoyed it and gave it high praise and appreciation."
◆ "I completely agree! This performance should go on a world tour, starting with Las Vegas. It would bring so much pride to our community. I’m so grateful for what you’ve all done!"
◆ "Thanks to Rachel for all the backstage work, ensuring that we parents could fully support the teachers during rehearsals! Everything was so well-organized—maps, parking, timing...you thought of everything! Thank you once again!"
◆ "The performance was absolutely spectacular! At the end, the audience stood and applauded until the curtain fell. Thank you for giving us such a joyful and memorable evening!"
◆ "A friend who watched Legends said the show was amazing! Is there a CD for sale? They loved the songs and wondered if there will be an encore performance."
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Reactions from the Irvine Chinese Choir:
◆ "There was a delightful duet between the Western flute and the Chinese bamboo flute—it was a wonderful surprise, and the harmony was beautiful!"
◆ "The performance incorporated many Chinese and Western instruments, boldly experimenting with innovative and lively compositions. It was vibrant and full of fun."
◆ "Last night, I attended Legend at Segerstrom Hall, the largest 3,000-seat music hall in Southern California, hosted by the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center. The show used Chinese music, dance, martial arts, and gymnastics to tell the legendary stories of the Monkey King, Mulan, and Nezha, highlighting the values of filial piety, courage, and loyalty in Chinese culture. This performance beautifully showcased our heritage to mainstream society, promoting understanding and acceptance among different ethnic groups. It was a historic step, and the show was a tremendous success! Thank you to the Cultural Center for bringing our culture to life with such a fantastic production—this is so important!"
◆ "Although many of the young lead performers were injured from the repeated rehearsals, they persevered with great resilience. Earning the audience's recognition was their greatest wish. Thank you to all who came to support them!"
◆ "I was surprised that, for many in the Chinese community, this was their first time entering Segerstrom Hall."
◆ "The performance was incredible! Some people thought it was just going to be a children's recital from the Chinese school and didn’t attend, but after seeing my video of the performers taking their curtain call they deeply regretted missing it."
◆ "The friends I invited kept saying afterward: 'It was so stunning! So professional! We’re so proud!'"
◆ "News of the successful debut of the original large-scale musical Legend in Southern California:
Nezha and Mulan take the stage,
And the Monkey King shows off his rage;
In Southern California, all are amazed,
Roots of tradition bloom and blaze!"
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Chinese American Club of Laguna Woods Village’s reaction:
President 楊平飛:
"After watching Legends, the general reaction was one of awe, emotion, resonance, and excitement! From start to finish, the music was all original, accompanied by original choreography, both of which were of a very professional caliber. We are even more impressed since we are living abroad! The performance stirred deep emotions within us—many people were able to recite The Ballad of Mulan on the spot, which was astonishing! We're also proud that two of our association members, Zhang Xisheng and Eric Chang, were part of the orchestra. The Chinese Association feels a great sense of honor!"
Vice President 樊惠萍:
"Legends was fantastic! It blended both entertainment and artistry seamlessly. Not only did it celebrate traditional Chinese culture, but it also highlighted the remarkable martial arts skills of the students from the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center. From the orchestra to the conductor, from the performers to the set design, everything was top-notch—there wasn’t a single flaw. It was a beautiful experience, and we are so proud. We clapped so hard our hands were red! Thank you all for your hard work!"
Vice President 李瑛:
"From the moment the massive orchestra opened the show, we were struck with awe! Many thanks to SCCCC for creating such a beautiful program booklet. We read it beforehand to understand the storylines of Mulan, the Monkey King, and Nezha. Even though there was no dialogue, we were completely immersed in the story—simply wonderful! The martial arts performances showcased genuine skills, the dancing was graceful and captivating, and the music was deeply moving. Truly admirable! During the breaks, seeing the kids interact and practice together was heartwarming. We hope that, in the future, our younger generations who grew up abroad can have more opportunities to experience the richness of Chinese culture. We are grateful and congratulate SCCCC on a successful performance and their continued efforts to promote Chinese culture. We look forward to the next show!"
Director 王麗明:
"I couldn’t believe that an organization as small as the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center, which isn’t a professional performance group, could produce such a grand production! It was truly spectacular and successful! This musical brought the stories of three legendary Chinese figures to the stage through music, which was a brilliant choice. Mulan’s filial piety, the Monkey King’s courage, and Nezha’s loyalty are the essence of Chinese traditional values. The music was incredible! Traditional Chinese instruments like the guzheng, erhu, drums, and moon guitar brought these characters and scenes to life. The performers’ skills were outstanding - Mulan’s balance of strength and grace, the mischievousness and heroism of the Monkey King and Nezha were portrayed beautifully. The stage design was clever and visually impactful, bringing to life the homefront, battlefields, underwater worlds, and the heavenly court front our eyes."
Salley曹:
"On the night of October 12th, we witnessed an incredible operatic performance that represented Chinese culture—Legends. It was on par with Broadway musicals in terms of both creativity and execution. Thanks to the Laguna Woods Chinese Association for securing tickets, which allowed us to experience such a wonderful show. I was deeply moved by the progress of Chinese cultural transmission.
Tonight, I will send the concert program booklet to the kids. My daughter looked at it and immediately asked when the next performance will be. She is very interested and wants to buy tickets to take her two little ones (my precious grandsons) to see it. If anyone knows the schedule for the next performance by SCCCC, please be sure to let us know."
毛靜芬 "It was awe-inspiring! It was emotional! These are the children and grandchildren of those of us who grew up and thrived far from home. The results of the tireless efforts of dedicated individuals are so impressive! I’m moved, truly moved!"
◆ "I just sent out a video summarizing the Legend performance and the five-minute curtain call for the second generation. Everyone keeps posting, saying not only do they hope for a DVD, but they want it to be sold or rented! The stage screen was absolutely stunning! The word 'awe' is the only way to describe it."
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Orange County Herald Center:
Director Sherry Huang:
“The performance of Legends was incredibly captivating and well-paced. Both the script and the music were of exceptionally high quality—truly impressive! I applaud the dedication and effort of the young Chinese performers. Many thanks to the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center for their meticulous planning, bringing such a wonderful benefit to the Orange County community and making the Chinese community proud!"
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Chinese Calligraphy Club of Laguna Woods Village’s reaction:
教務長左秋蓮：
"The opera I saw last night was the best I’ve experienced in nearly twenty years in the United States! Each performance drew inspiration from classic Chinese 'legend' stories. The arrangement of the storyline, character performances, costumes, music, conducting, orchestra, martial arts, lighting, and visual projections were all of top-tier quality! This concert was profoundly moving, and I felt immense pride in the richness of Chinese culture!
Of course, I must also acknowledge the hard work and financial contributions of those involved in making this concert possible; it is their dedication that allowed us to enjoy such a wonderful experience and feel so touched! Thank you to them! I’d also like to give a shout-out to my good friends, Xie Meimei and her husband, for their contributions!
May we all find peace and happiness, and enjoy the pleasures of life!"
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