介绍:
A small musical production titled"Tomato Remarkable" is currently taking stage at the West District Theatre in Beijing. The stage-play tells an encouraging story about five friendly guys who run an organic grocery store together.
Our reporter Chi Huiguang brings us front row to have a listen.
Reporter:
"As the lyrics go: It's me who gives you fresh hopes; it's me who gives you happy energy; welcome to our green-grocery and be our guest; we offer the best, freshest vegetables and fruits."
"Tomato Remarkable" tells the story of five friendly guys who start an organic grocery store together. From the humble beginnings of a small fruit-and-vegetable stand, the five grow the business into a nutrition-friendly business franchise.
Wu Yuze is the director of the musical:
" 'Tomato Remarkable' is a musical with great plot, beautiful melodies, dynamic dances and attitude. It highlights the strong friendship among the boys. I think it's easier and more direct to use music and dance to express feelings. We adopt many types of music and dance to present the different characteristics and experiences of the five boys. "
The drama is presented by United Asia Live Entertainment Company, which rose to fame by bringing classic musicals like "Cats" and "Mama Mia" to Chinese stages. In hosting such renowned productions, United Asia Live demands the same high quality from its smaller stage plays.
Director Wu again:
"I think there are more comprehensive requirements for small theatre dramas. We have to insert more delicate details in the performance; singing, dancing and interactions with audience, making the viewers feel easy to join the show are all necessary components."
"Tomato Remarkable" stars seven actors; five that play the shop owners, as well as one male and one female, who appear in multiple roles on stage.
They have been selected from the company's musical talent pool and have been trained at the music drama academy in South Korea. This isn't their first time in the spotlight, either. All the actors have taken part in larger stage productions.
Wei Shiquan, the music director of the drama, tells us more about the styles of music in the play:
"Since 'Tomato Remarkable' is a small theatre drama, pop is of course the main sound of the music. But we also use Bossanova, Tango and other dance music, as well. Plus, there is 'cute' music characteristic of the Japanese and Korean styles. We even use some choir music. We try our best to satisfy all the different tastes in the audience."
The dance numbers in the play are equally diverse. "Tomato Remarkable's" dancing director, Liu Ai, explains:
"It is the changing styles of the music in the drama that decide the various dancing types. And there are more comprehensive demands for me to design the dances according to the plots and the development of the story."
Dancing is the best tool for rendering the atmosphere of a musical. It brings harmony to everything else taking place on stage. While acting is the most important aspect of a stage play, dancing helps to combine the plot and the emotions of the performance.
Here's Liu Ai again:
"The more important function of the dances in drama is that they would add more 'color' to the production, and raise the drama to a higher level. I think we did a very good job in melding the music, dances and the plots together. This process is one of the best parts of producing this drama."
"Our lives belong to ourselves; our dreams belong to ourselves, too! Dreams that have never been laughed at are not good ones!"
The inspiring lines are part of the touching dialogue in "Tomato Remarkable."
The five boys harmonize to deliver the musical's main message:
"I want to open my wings to fly, just for the original dream. Even though there are winds and rains beating on my wings, I will wipe the tears and go on flying. Fly bravely for my dream."
The whole drama has one unifying theme: No matter what kind of dream you have, if you take it seriously and try your best, you will have the chance to make it come true.
For Studio+, I am Chi Huiguang.
