A scene of  "Road to Revival" [Global Times]

The grand music and dance epic "Road to Revival" debuted at the Great Hall of the People Sunday evening to thunderous applause. With a cast of 3,200, the five-act and 2.5 hour-long production has been labeled a resounding success.

As the third grand music and dance epic after “The East is Red” and “Song of the Chinese Revolution", "Road to Revival" depicts the exploration, struggle and development of China over the past 169 years. It captures and interprets historic moments including the Opium War in 1840, the Revolution of 1911, the War of Resistance Against Japan (1937-1945), founding of New China in 1949 and 2008 Olympic Games.

A diverse audience welcomed the production that saw a chorus of hundreds perform on a massive curved staircase that reached the ceiling. A huge LED screen beside the staircase and a 23-meter-wide elliptical screen at the center of the stage combined to create amazing visual effects, highlighting the developments of New China.

An elderly audience member told the Global Times that "Road to Revival" reminded him of ‘The East is Red", "I believe it will become another classic," he said.

College student Sun Xu said that the production was far beyond her expectations and made her proud of her country, "The performance combines art and history perfectly. I was completely immersed in it."

Renowned composers and lyricists Yan Su, Qiao Yu and Zhao Jiping worked on the show that boasts some of China's best performers including Peng Liyuan, Song Zuying and Han Hong.

Most artists sacrificed higher paying contracts to be part of the production.

"To be involved in the play is the greatest honor to me," explained Tian Hua. The 81-year old actress is the eldest member of the cast.

(Global Times September 22, 2009)