New York’s Tong Xiaoling Drama Workshop will kick off its annual performances on May 19, June 2, and June 30 with classic Peking opera productions such as “Wenzhao Guan,” “The Palace,” and “Oolong Courtyard,” along with the Western opera adaptation “The Wuthering Heights.” The founder of the drama workshop, Tong Xiaoling, expressed that in order to elevate the performance quality, this year they have specially invited renowned female lead performers and musicians to join the stage.
Tong Xiaoling, the daughter of legendary Peking opera performer Tong Zhiling, held a press conference for the annual performances on May 13 at the 456 Art Gallery founded by veteran New York cultural figure Zhou Longzhang. She was accompanied by renowned Xun School female lead performer Chang Qiuyue, Peking Hu musician Sun Qian, drama workshop actor Gao Jin, and “The Wuthering Heights” playwright Weng Si Zai.
Participants in this year’s performances include leading female performers from Peking opera houses, as well as famous Yang School male lead Li Jun, and renowned female lead Wang Mengting. By adapting well-known Western novels into traditional Peking opera performances, the goal is to enhance the entertainment value and performance quality, making Peking opera appealing to both Eastern and Western audiences.
Despite the relatively older average age of Peking opera audiences in New York, Tong Xiaoling Drama Workshop still has a following among younger generations. Workshop actor Gao Jin, a marine science researcher with a doctoral degree by profession, became a devoted fan of Peking opera after watching it in New York. Leveraging her talent for singing, she has become a key figure in the workshop, playing the role of the female lead in “The Palace” on May 19.
The 2024 annual performances of New York’s Tong Xiaoling Drama Workshop are free of charge and do not require tickets for entry. Subtitles in both Chinese and English will be provided at the theater. Details for the three performances are as follows:
(1) May 19 (Sunday) at 1:30 PM: “Wenzhao Guan” starring Chang Qiuyue (special guest) and Fan Yibing; “The Palace” starring Gao Jin, Yu Xiangwei, Zhao Biao. Venue: Flushing City Hall, located at 137-35 Northern Boulevard.
(2) June 2 (Sunday) at 1:30 PM: “Oolong Courtyard” starring Wang Mengting, Jie Guofang, Shan Jing, Liu Qingxian, Dai Nuo. Venue: Flushing City Hall, located at 137-35 Northern Boulevard.
(3) June 30 (Sunday) at 2:00 PM: Peking opera “The Wuthering Heights” with playwright Weng Si Zai, composer Chen Lei, directors Jie Guofang, Liu Qingxian, starring Tong Xiaoling, Li Jun, Yu Xiangwei, Shan Jing, Dai Nuo, Zhai Xianzhong, New York Chinese Song and Dance Troupe. Venue: Hindu Temple Community Center in Flushing, located at 143-09 Holly Avenue.