World Famous Mei Lanfang Beijing Opera Troupe to Perform at the Kodak Theater

The California Institute for Chinese Performing Arts presents three performances by the world famous Mei Lanfang Company from the Beijing Opera House that will feature an array of world class performers at the Kodak Theatre.

The California Institute for Chinese Performing Arts presents the star-studded Mei Lanfang Company from the Beijing Opera House named after Peking Opera maestro Mei Lanfang. Featuring Master Mei Baojiu, the son of Mei Lanfang, and an array of world class performers, the company will come to Los Angeles for three performances.

Heroines of the Yang Family "Starring Dong Yuanyuan"
Friday, October 10 at 7:30 PM

The opera narrates one of the most exciting episodes of heroism and patriotism demonstrated by women warriors in the history of China. During the Song Dynasty (960 AD - 1280 AD), the 100 year old Se Tai Jun, matriarch of the Yang family received news of the death of her grandson Yang Zhong Bao on her birthday. Yang Zhong Bao was killed in an ambush by the barbarian tribe from the state of Shi Xia whilst on a reconnaissance mission. Together with her two granddaughters and nine other widows whose husbands had sacrificed their lives for their country, Se Tai Jun led an army to battle. The twelve women warriors, despite their age, eventually killed the king of the barbarian tribe and won the battle.

Legend of the White Snake "Starring Wang Yan & Li Hongtu"
Saturday, October 11 at 2 PM

The story tells of a young scholar who falls in love with a beautiful woman, unaware that she is a white snake who has taken on human form. A monk intervenes in order to save the scholar's soul and casts the white snake into a deep well at the Leifeng Pagoda.

Classics of Mei Lanfang "Starring Mei Baojiu"
Saturday, October 11 at 7:30 PM

1.  Havoc in the Divine Palace (Starring Wang Xueqing) 

The excerpt is based on the earliest chapters of the Chinese classic story Journey to the West.  The Monkey King, Sun Wu-kung is furious after learning that he is not invited to the Peach Banquet held by the Jade Emperor of Heaven.  He sneaks into the Divine Palace, steals the longevity peaches and elixir pills.  The Jade Emperor summons his troops to capture the mischievous Monkey King, however, the troops are defeated.

2.  The Rite for Blessing of a Goddess (Starring Zhang Xinyue)

This excerpt is based on a Buddhist tale.  Sakyamuni hears that Vimalakirti is sick and asks the goddess to bless him by scattering flowers on Earth.

3.  Farewell My Concubine (Starring Chen Junjie & Hu Wenge)

King Xiang Yu and his troops are ambushed by their enemy Liu Bang.  Unable to break out of the siege, the King drinks in despair.  His favorite concubine, Yu Ji, does not want to be a burden to him, and tries to lighten his spirit with dancing and singing before taking her own life with a sword. 

4.  The Drunken Beauty (Starring Mei Baojiu)

This is an episode taken from the famous love story between Emperor Ming of the Tang Dynasty and his favorite consort, Yang Guifei.  One evening, the Emperor orders that a banquet be prepared in honor of Yang at the Pavilion.  Yang comes to the Pavilion and waits for the Emperor, but instead finds out that the Emperor has gone to visit another lady.  Yang, disappointed and jealous, tries to drink her sorrow away. 

Prices vary depending on seating location: $288/$188/$148/$118/$68/$48/$28

Ticket Info: Tickets are available at the Kodak Theatre Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, by phone at (213) 480-3232 or on-line at ticketmaster.com