The award-winning musical "Fame" made its debut on Sunday night in Beijing, the last stop of its China tour. After "Aida" and "42nd street", "Fame"is the third show brought to the country by Nederlander, who operates nine theatres in Broadway.

 

The story of "Fame" is based on the hard-working students who were hand-selected to attend the Fiorella H. La Guardia High School for music and performing arts in New York City. It's the first government-funded school for the arts in the United States where the tuition is free and admission is determined solely on talent.

The young cast of 22 performers, aged from 19 to 25, represent the vigorous generation who chase their dreams in "Fame". A group dance is choreographed specially for the China tour.

An audience member said, "Such a musical is rarely seen in Beijing, different from the usual classical ones."

"The singers did a good job. They've brought the original flavor of Broadway. They fling themselves into the performance."

"Many of the audience are young people who like musicals. It's more suitable for them. "

Among the audience are young performers who presented the Chinese version of "Fame" late 2008. Under a deal between Nederland and China's Central Academy of Drama, students produced the Broadway classic in Chinese as their graduate works.

Nederlander will bring another popular show "Singing in the Rain" in China this autumn.