Photo Flash: Sneak Peek at American-Chinese Dance-Theatre Spectacular PEARL at the Koch Theater

Pearl (www.PearlTheShow.com), a new American-Chinese dance-theatre spectacular, inspired by the life of Pearl S. Buck, the first woman to win both the Nobel and the Pulitzer Prizes, will have its world premiere at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for 4 performances only, August 27-30th. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the dancers!

The story, focusing on the substantial influence Pearl had on both Chinese and Western cultures, will be brought to life through new choreography by Daniel Ezralow (Ezralow Dance Company, MOMIX, Sochi Olympics Opening Ceremony, Academy Awards), a new score composed by Jun Miyake (collaborations with Robert Wilson, Pina Bausch, David Byrne and Oliver Stone), dazzling visuals and a company of 30 American and Chinese dancers.

The physical production of Pearl is enormous, more like a movie set than a theatrical one. New York's temple of dance will be transformed. Pearl will feature a real 150' long x 6' wide river that snakes around the entire stage. Representing the actual shape of Yangtze in China, dancers will perform around and in the river.

A substantial element of the stage production will feature a state-of-the-art multi media presentation on 30 flying panels that are 40' tall x 6' wide each. The entire Koch Theatre stage space (70" wide x 80" deep) will be filled with design from wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling.

Pearl invites audiences to explore one of the most fascinating and emotion filled stories of the 20th century. Pearl, which delivers messages of hope, strength, and understanding, will be told in five symbolic stages: Spring, River, Flower, Moon, and Night, based on the influential poem of all poems written centuries ago by Zhang Ruoxu. The production will feature five different aged dancers portraying different stages of Pearl's life.

Buck was a visionary. She was born in West Virginia and lived in China with her missionary parents at the turn of the 20th century. She overcame a difficult childhood and numerous obstacles on her path to self-discovery. Her unique perspective lives today in the more than 60 books she wrote including her 1932 Pulitzer Prize winning best-selling novel The Good Earth, which became an Oscar Award-winning film in 1937. Buck was attacked by Senator Joseph McCarthy for her enlightened perspectives on life. She created the concept of international adoption. She fought for women's rights. She was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1938. She broke boundaries and united nations.

Featuring an international cast of 30 including acclaimed dancer Margie Gillis, Pearl S. Buck's story is a bridge of two cultures and provides an enlightened understanding of East and West.

Produced by Angela Xiaolei Tang, CEO of Legend River Entertainment along with Zhenjiang Media Group and American producer Steven Ship, The set design by Michael Cotten (Michael Jackson, Bette Midler, Carrie Underwood, Katy Perry, Disney's "High School Musical", Olympics), costume design by Oana Botez (BAM Next Wave, Mikhail Baryshnikov) and lighting design by Christopher Akerlind (Broadway: The Light In The Piazza, The Last Ship, Rocky). Mirada ("Dark Horse" music video for Katy Perry) will contribute the video design.

"Pearl is a reflection of our global culture, a culture of one. It represents several meanings: of Chinese and Western cultures, of theatre and dance, of popular and high art, of authentic inspiration and expression, of learning and entertainment. These differences don't separate us, they bring us together," said Ezralow.

Said Tang, "Pearl S. Buck was an American woman who opened the eyes of world to the beauty of China. It is our hope to connect and inspire international audiences in the 21st Century with her still relevant ideas from years ago. The production was developed and created in the United States. Following New York, we plan to tour Pearl in Europe and China during 2016.

The performance schedule for Pearl is: August 27th at 7:30pm, August 28th at 8:00pm, August 29th at 8:00pm, and August 30th at 3:00pm. Tickets, priced from $27 to $162 are currently available at The David H. Koch Theater Box Office, online at www.PearlTheShow.com or by calling 212-496-0600.

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Hinlen