SILK ROAD Begins 2/27 at Lincoln Center

The New York premiere of a new dance drama production, "Silk Road" by the Gansu Dance Theatre will begin performances next week at the David H. Koch Theater (Lincoln Center) February 27 - March 3, 2013.

The spectacular production is presented by The China Arts & Entertainment Group (CAEG), a creative enterprise under the administration of the Ministry of Culture for the People's Republic of China. The engagement is the second production in the continuing of an ongoing relationship between CAEG and the David H. Koch Theater. These presentations showcase China's historical contribution to the world of theater and art by presenting the finest in Chinese contemporary and classical performing arts to the United States.

"Silk Road" is inspired by the magnificent Dunhuang frescoes. This award-winning classical Chinese dance drama presents the tale of the friendship forged during the Tang Dynasty between the China and the people of various countries along the Silk Road. Silk Road follows master fresco painter Zhang, his daughter Yingniang, and the Persian merchant Yunus. The lavish theatrical production is presented with visually stunning scenes, and dazzling ornate, elaborate costumes for the sixty dancers, in this unique production of this classic China story. (2 hrs including the intermission).

Gansu Dance Theater was established in 1961 to research, create, and perform music and dance reflecting the culture of Dunhuang, a city renowned for its natural beauty and its historic role in the Silk Road. The company was formerly known as Gansu Song and Dance Troupe, and Dunhuang Art Theater of Gansu. The theater has produced a number of works based on the legendary Dunhuang frescoes, cave paintings that date back centuries. Silk Road is a masterpiece of Chinese dance theater, reflecting on the influences of their dance traditions as well as the history of the region. The Theater has won many major national awards and has toured to more than twenty countries for foreign cultural exchange programs. In 1995, Gansu Dance Theater was awarded the title of National Advanced Cultural Institution by Ministry of Culture.

The China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG), the first large publicly-owned cultural enterprise, was inaugurated after the merger of the China Performing Arts Agency (CPAA) and the China International Exhibition Agency, as a major step to transform Chinese culture and art institutions into modern enterprises. They are under the auspice of the Ministry of Culture, undertaking cultural exchange projects to promote and enhance Chinese culture in other countries. CAEG annually runs more than 5,000 shows, exhibitions and comprehensive cultural activities in hundreds of cities, regions, and in countries around the world.

Performances of "Silk Road" by the Gansu Dance Theatre will be Wednesday, February 27, 8pm; Friday, March 1, 8pm; Saturday, March 2, 8pm and Sunday, March 3 at 1pm. There is No Thursday 2/28 performance. Tickets are: Orchestra & First Ring - $98, $78, $58, $38, $23 and there are also a few Premium Orchestra seats. Second Ring - $78, $58, $38, $23 and the Third Ring is $58, $38, & $23. Tickets are on sale: at the box office and by calling (212) 496-0600; or by Fax at (212) 580-2545 and on the web. http://davidhkochtheater.com/. The Media Sponsors are: World Journal, Sino TV, AM 1380, AM 1480, and Chinese American Voice.