This is not the animated Mulan; it is the legend rebuilt as a full-evening dance drama by one of China's most decorated companies, and it has never played New York before. Zhou Liya and Han Zhen's choreography moves between classical Chinese dance vocabulary and genuinely martial fight staging, all of it turning on a fifteen-metre revolve that keeps the stage picture in constant motion. Four performances, tickets from $30, and then it is gone.
What to expect
A full-length narrative dance drama at the State Theater, told without spoken dialogue through movement, period costume and a score blending traditional Chinese instrumentation with symphonic orchestration. Expect large-ensemble battle sequences alternating with intimate duets, and a revolving stage that is effectively a character in the production.
Good to know
- The David H. Koch Theater is on the Lincoln Center plaza - take the 1 to 66th Street-Lincoln Center
- There are four performances across the weekend, including a matinee on both Saturday and Sunday, so a family-friendly slot exists
- The story is told entirely through dance, so no Mandarin is required to follow it
- Lincoln Center's plaza restaurants fill before curtain; book ahead or eat further east on Amsterdam
- This is a Lincoln Center house rather than a Broadway theater - the sightlines from the upper rings are steep but honest
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Common questions
Is this the Disney Mulan?
No. This is an original Chinese dance drama produced by the China Ningbo Performance & Arts Group, drawing directly on the Ballad of Mulan legend rather than any film adaptation.
How much are tickets?
Tickets start at $30, available through the David H. Koch Theater box office and website.
Are there matinee performances?
Yes. There is a 1:30 PM matinee on Saturday, September 19 and a 2:30 PM matinee on Sunday, September 20, alongside 7:30 PM performances on Friday and Saturday.
