Chinese Spectacular Ushers In Lunar New Year

Legend of the Luna Year - Grandmother tells the legend of the Nian Monster. This is a legend about how the Chinese New Year began.

New Year's Day comes twice this year! NTDTV once again presents a gala celebration of the lunar New Year - the Year of the Pig - with a music and dance spectacular that recreates the glorious ancient arts of the Tang Dynasty, February 14-17 at Radio City Music Hall.

A 45-piece orchestra in the pit and a company of over 150 dancers, vocalists, and instrumentalists on stage will transport audiences back to the Tang Dynasty, revered as the golden age of China. See the heroes of Chinese legends, elegant court ladies in opulent Tang fashions and hairstyles, lovely heavenly maidens, energetic drummers, and much, much more.

The civilization of the Tang Dynasty was so magnificent that many believe it could only have been divinely inspired. It is fitting, then, that the 2007 Chinese New Year Spectacular opens with an original "dance drama" in which a Buddha surrounded by angels and fairy maidens gazes down at our world. Deciding to bring virtue to mankind, he descends to the mortal realm as a Tang Emperor, a Son of Heaven. The use of high-tech multimedia will make the audience feel as though they, too, are traveling through the clouds from heaven to earth.

The Milk's Sweet Fragrance Drifts Through the Plains - A traditional Mongolian dance to welcome guests, full of joy and warmth.

This will be followed by music, song, and a series of dance selections in which traditional Chinese movements meet Western dance. Choreographer Michelle Ren uses a particularly difficult Chinese folk dance technique to create the carefree, joyful feeling in "Forsythia in Spring," a piece in which dancers spin colorful handkerchiefs as they flit around the stage to welcome in the Spring. Ren has also created a thrilling Mongolian dance in which the audience shares the exhilaration of the 30 young men galloping across the grassy plains under a vast, open sky.

To round out the program, choreographer Elly Shu presents a rousing drum piece with intricate rhythms to ring in the New Year on an auspicious, energetic note.

There will be two shows daily (at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.) from February 14-17, at Radio City Music Hall, 1250 6th Avenue at 50th Street. For tickets ($38) and reservations call 1-888-260-6221, Ticketmaster or the Music Hall box office.

Fairies' Flute - Gentle fairies dance and play their flutes. A blend of aural and visual beauty captures the wonder of the heavenly realm. (Photos Courtesy NTDTV)

The Year of the Dog comes to an end as The Year of the Pig, or the Boar, is ushered in on February 18. Those born in the Year of the Boar are regarded as models of fortitude, sincerity, and honor.

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