Soul of Shaolin plays its final performance on Broadway

The China on Broadway production production of Soul of Shaolin, a new Chinese martial arts spectacle, plays its final performance at the Marriott Marquis Theatre on 31 Jan 2009, as scheduled.

The show marked the first time a production from the People's Republic of China has appeared on Broadway.

Soul of Shaolin, which opened at the Marquis Theatre on 15 Jan 2009, following previews from 13 Jan, played a limited engagement of 24 performances. It arrived on Broadway following appearances in Sydney, Macau, and at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Soul of Shaolin tells the story of a boy named Hui Guang who is separated from his mother by war. Hui Guang is found and taken in by the legendary monks of the Shaolin temple and raised among them. As he becomes a man, Hui Gang becomes an accomplished master of Shaolin Kung Fu and embarks on a spectacular journey of self-discovery.

The production features 33 Chinese nationals who are highly skilled in Shaolin Kung Fu, the martial art that has been featured in such films as 'Fearless' (starring international superstar Jet Li) and 'Shaolin Soccer,' both of which were recent US box office successes.

Shaolin Kung Fu is the collection of martial arts that is associated with the monks of the Shaolin temple in China's Henan province. This particular style is characterized by almost superhuman displays of strength and agility, but is tempered with the monks' philosophical belief in training the mind, body, and Soul.

Soul of Shaolin marked the inaugural production of China on Broadway which is a historic partnership between Nederlander Worldwide Productions and Eastern Shanghai Cultural Film and Television Group. China on Broadway's American and Chinese partners will work together to develop and produce theatrical projects for global audiences.

China on Broadway will bring an annual theatrical event featuring leading Chinese artists to Broadway in celebration of the Lunar New Year.