In brief
On November 9, the Shanghai Ballet presented its production of The Butterfly Lovers at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. The performance, a Chinese equivalent of Romeo and Juliet, blended classical ballet with Chinese folklore and music, earning praise for its costumes and the emotionally powerful final butterfly scene. Audience members highlighted the drama’s universality and the troupe’s ongoing U.S. tour of Chinese and Western classics.
Shanghai Ballet staged its production of The Butterfly Lovers at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts in Fairfax, Virginia, on Saturday, Nov. 9, drawing an audience that approached the venue’s 2,000‑seat capacity.
"The Butterfly Lovers" is China’s version of Romeo and Juliet, a tragic romance that blends classical ballet with traditional Chinese music, including the famous violin concerto of the same name. The choreography mixes graceful ballet turns with movements that echo Chinese folk dance, and the stage is lit with bright, embroidered costumes.
Truck driver Rocco Benevento, who came with his wife, told Xinhua that the show “really enjoyed the show,” especially the final scene when the lovers turn into butterflies. He added that the colors and costumes were “phenomenal” and that the legend reminded him of Shakespeare’s play.
"The colors, all the costumes were phenomenal. They put a lot of effort into it," said Rocco Benevento.
High‑school student Anna said the Chinese elements made the performance “very interesting” compared to other ballets she had seen, even though the absence of dialogue made the storyline a little harder to follow.
"It's a lot different than a lot of other ballets I've watched before, but I like it. It's very interesting to watch," Anna said.
Audience member Marion, who had read the story beforehand, felt the production was “easy to understand” and “beautifully” executed.
"I read the story... It was easy to understand, and it was done very beautifully," Marion said.
The performance is part of the troupe’s ongoing U.S. tour, which showcases both Chinese and Western classics to diverse American audiences, underscoring how dance can share stories across cultures.
