"The dancers' athleticism and flexibility were remarkable." —The Washington Post

"One of China's most famous ballet directors is testing the very limits of the country's straight-laced attitudes." —The Daily Telegraph (London)

Beijing Dance Theater, China’s leading contemporary ballet company, performs the powerful Wild Grass, the newest work from company Artistic Director Wang Yuanyuan, in the company’s Chicago debut. Wang became a household name in China following her collaboration with film director Zhang Yimou for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. She founded Beijing Dance Theater in 2008, earning widespread praise for her innovative approach to contemporary dance. In Wild Grass, Wang takes inspiration from the poems of Chinese writer and literary giant Lu Xun, a three-part performance of profound intelligence rooted in ideas of spirituality and individuality. This intricate medley of masterful imagery—titled Dead Fire, Farewell of the Shadow, and Dance of Extremity—is anything but ordinary. Featuring music by Kangding Ray, Biosphere, Wang Peng and Su Cong (1987 Academy Award winner for Best Original Music, with Ryuichi Sakamoto and David Byrne, for Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor).