On the afternoon of November 29th, the lights inside the Flushing Town Hall Theater gradually dimmed, but the applause continued long after the final notes ended. Nearly three hundred seats were filled to capacity. In that moment, the emotions shared between the performers on stage and the audience were mutual—a testament to months of hard work and to the cultural melodies that were celebrated.

New York’s Cultural First: An Encounter with Huangmei

This was not only New York’s first exclusive Huangmei Tune performance, but also a vibrant cultural encounter. Originating in Huangmei County, Hubei, China, the Huangmei Tune is a folk melody known for its gentle rhythm and graceful lines, reflecting the warmth of rural life. Though often mentioned together, the Tune emphasizes melody and singability, distinct from the full Opera, yet both are key to preserving Chinese performing traditions. From the classic excerpts of The Kingdom and the Beauty (《江山美人》) to the uniquely designed multi-group performance of The Love Eterne (《梁祝》) sharing the stage, and the breathtaking finale of The Last Judgement (《包公审美》), the two-hour show encapsulated the cross-generational elegance of Huangmei Tune. It showed us that even far away overseas, the cultural DNA deeply rooted in this tradition can still be awakened and resonated with.

A Community’s Warm Embrace

The success of the performance was a warm embrace and lift to the community. The fifty-plus performers on stage were teachers, doctors, students, shop owners, etc. Every actor started from scratch, dedicating their spare time to refining their singing techniques and stage movements, pouring immense passion and effort into the show.

The heroes behind the scenes were equally respectable: the costumes’ every stitch, the makeup artists’ skillful strokes, the props team’s repeated adjustments, and countless silent supporters offering their help.

Mentors and Visionaries

The entire production was selflessly guided by two dedicated artists who volunteered their time and expertise:

• Artistic Director: Dr. Hsing-Lih Chou (周興立博士)
  • Background: A pioneering composer of Taiwan’s Campus Folk Songs and creator of the acclaimed song Pan. Holding a Doctorate from Columbia University, he promotes traditional music worldwide and has been honored as a New York State “Cultural Ambassador.”
• Director: Ms. Yu Huang (黄妤老師)
  • Background: Former Rock Records singer, she won the 1982 Golden Bell Award for Best Female Singer with Night Mooring at Maple Bridge. Known for her sweet, versatile voice, she shares her passion for performance through training.

The Vitality of New Faces

What was particularly surprising and moving was the sincere participation of many new faces. Many young actors expressed that this was their first encounter with Huangmei Tune, yet through this valuable experience, they quietly fell in love with the art form.

For example, the “Five Mice” (五鼠), a group of martial arts heroes, were played by several high school students who were spirited and energetic. Although not fluent in Chinese, the conviction shown by the ABC (American-Born Chinese) youth while demonstrating martial arts moves won a full house of applause. The meaning of cultural heritage transmission became so concrete and vivid at this moment.

Gratitude: The Power of Collective Effort

We were honored to have New York State Senator John Liu, a representative from Assembly Member Ron Kim (Assembly District 40), and our sponsor representatives, Amy Mak and Veronica Tsang, join us for the performance. After watching the show, they shared how deeply moved they were by the dedication, growth, and hard work of our students—many of whom began with no prior performance experience.

The successful staging of this grand event relied on the community’s combined effort. We especially extend our most sincere gratitude to the selfless volunteer team and the Flushing Town Hall staff! It was your tireless and uncompensated work that ensured the smooth running of the performance. We must also thank all the generous sponsors and organizations; your strong support was key to realizing this cultural exchange.

As the curtain fell, Art Director, Dr. Hsing-Lih Chou’s concluding remarks were deeply moving: “Lǐ shī qiú zhū yě.“ (The Analects of Confucius: If the established rites are lost, seek them in the wilderness.) Far from their homeland, the power of the community allowed the ancient Huangmei Tune to “re-emerge in splendor.” This was more than just a performance; it was a glowing reminder: as long as there is heart, love, and shared effort, the roots of culture can thrive anywhere.

Photo credit: Di Geng / Lyu Photo Studio / Sean Xu

Photo gallery:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/glownyc/albums/72177720330667615

https://www.flickr.com/photos/glownyc/albums/72177720330703578

https://www.flickr.com/photos/glownyc/albums/72177720330683245

Full performance video: https://youtu.be/063L5NRxa-Q?si=zYIrYroKudjBIH1D

Media

星岛日报 Sing Tao Daily

World Journal: Link

新中華傳媒 Xin Zhonghua Media：Link

中國僑聲網 The Voice of Chinese：Link

邑睿传媒 Yirui Media：Link