The Washington Chu Shan Chinese Opera Institute's Executive Director, Mr. Zhu Chu Shan, a renowned Peking Opera playwright and director originally from Shanghai, China, has invigorated the practice of the Chinese performing arts in the Washington, DC metro area over the past 17 years through their outstanding Chinese opera education and performances. Mr. Zhu endeavors to present Chinese opera to new and diverse audiences, innovating old genres to make Chinese opera accessible and enjoyable to people of all backgrounds. From the director who brought you the beloved "Monkey King", Chu Shan Opera will bring to you the Thanksgiving Chinese Opera and Dance Show on November 21, 2009.

Classic Peking opera The Legend of Lady General Mu Gui Ying (Mu Guiying Gua Shuai). This well-known opera depicts a Dao Ma Dan role. Dao Ma Dan is a name for female roles that perform a fair amount of singing while dancing with the spears or weapons. Dao Ma Dan usually put on the female warrior costume with the flags at the back. They do stunts, which require a good body flexibility. Highly achieved Peking opera artists Tong Xiaoling and Wen Yuhang will bring this masterpiece to us.

Classic Peking opera Hu San Niang. This showpiece portrays a Wu Dan role. Wu Dan roles specialize in fighting with all kinds of weapons. They must really fight with their opponents in addition to carrying out stunts. Chinese opera artists Guo Suling, Pan Wenchao, Li Wentao, and Zhang Hui will perform this thrilling piece.

Chinese drum ensemble Flying Dragon in Spring will be jointly performed by students from Chu Shan Chinese Opera Institute, Rockville Chinese School and Sligo Middle School.

Chinese Kunqu opera The Peony Pavilion (You Yuan Jing Meng). Kunqu, also known as Kun opera, is one of the oldest extant forms of Chinese opera. It evolved from the Kunshan melody, and dominated Chinese theatre from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Noted as one of the most popular Chinese classics, The Peony Pavilion is a fantastic love story about a girl, Du Li Niang, who has a dream while visiting a garden. This piece is to be presented by Chinese opera artists Wen Yuhang and Yang Ling.

Modern Peking opera Spring Has Come, A New World Has Come (Ying Lai Chun Se Huan Ren Jian) - an episode from modern Peking opera Takeover of Weihu Mountain (Zhi Qu Wei Hu Shan), will be performed by Zheng Xiaoqin Dance Studio.

Modern Peking opera The Story of the Red Lantern sung with piano accompaniment will be provided by Lu Weizhong, Yang Ling, and Sharon Che.

Two well-known opera singers Wang Xiaohong (Soprano) and Chu Hongfa (Tenor) are invited to our show. They will bring us a piece of the Italian opera Turandot. Their soulful and charming voices are irresistible.

Peking opera chorus Like a Pine Tree on the Tai Mountain - an excerpt from modern Peking opera Sha Jia Bang, will be sung by Sunset Senior Chorus.

Singing and dancing The Early Spring Festivity by Sunset Senior Chorus and students from Chu Shan Chinese Opera Institute.

• Peking operatic dance: Soul of Chinese Opera
• Folk dances: The Puppet Show and Grandma Watches the Show at the Gate
• Mongolian dance: Spring in the Prairie
• The maidservant dance: Tao Yao
• Dai (a Chinese minority ethnic group) dance: Ocean Waves Made by Peacocks
• Dance with the music of Tang and Song dynasty: Longing for love
• Invigorating youth dance: Words from the Spring
• Children's dance: The Plum Blossoms in the Snow

Please visit Chu Shan's Personal Website to learn more about Mr. Zhu Chu Shan and his work.