A Myth Reborn: Lady White Snake Premieres At Lincoln Center

An International Premiere from Shanghai Grand Theatre
Led by TAN YuanYuan—Artistic Director and Former San Francisco Ballet Star

 

New York, NY—In a spectacular celebration of transformation, independence, and artistic vision, Lady White Snake will make its international premiere in New York with three performances at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on July 26–27, 2025: Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. This visually arresting dance drama from the Shanghai Grand Theatre is a bold reimagining of a beloved Chinese legend. Tickets start at $51 and may be purchased via the Koch Theater Box Office at the following link: https://www.davidhkochtheater.com/tickets-and-events/dance-lady-white-snake.

Presented in the Year of the Snake, Lady White Snake offers a contemporary interpretation of one of China’s Four Great Folktales, using the language of dance to explore a woman's journey of self-discovery. At once timeless and urgently modern, the production examines identity, autonomy, and personal transformation.

With artistic direction by TAN YuanYuan—former San Francisco Ballet principal dancer and one of the most celebrated ballerinas of her generation—the production features a cast of leading international dancers and the Shanghai Opera House Dance Ensemble. Directed by KE Zhou, with choreography by WANG Peixian, an original score by XU Zhong, script by LUO Zhou, set design by GAO Guangjian, lighting design by XIAO Lihe, video design by FENG Jiangzhou and costumes by ZHANG Viola, the work unfolds through rich storytelling and a fusion of ballet and traditional Chinese dance. With its refined aesthetic sensibility, Lady White Snake draws inspiration from classical Jiangnan culture while embracing striking visual design and immersive theatricality.

“Lady White Snake holds deep personal meaning for me—as an artist, a woman, and someone who has undergone her own transformation,” said TAN YuanYuan. “To bring this work to Lincoln Center in the Year of the Snake feels both symbolic and profound. I’m honored to share this production with audiences in New York and to continue building new creative bridges between East and West.”
Inspired by one of China’s most cherished legends, Lady White Snake follows a woman who begins to question the perfect life she’s expected to lead. As her independent spirit—embodied by the fierce and vibrant Green Snake (Xiao Qing) —emerges, concern from those closest to her leads to an encounter with a psychiatrist determined to return her to who she once was. Through surreal dreamscapes and subconscious battles, she confronts the tension between societal expectations and personal truth. With the support of the man who once feared her change, she ultimately finds the courage to choose herself. Lyrical, stirring, and deeply human, Lady White Snake is a celebration of self-discovery, resilience, and the transformative power of becoming who you truly are.

This visionary production is brought to life by an acclaimed creative team. Choreographer WANG Peixian brings a dynamic blend of classical and contemporary movement, drawing from his extensive international career with companies such as Martha Graham Dance Company,  Nederlands Dans Theater, and Tao Dance Theater. Director KE Zhou and Composer XU Zhong shape the work’s sophisticated narrative and original score, while Dramaturg LUO Zhou, Set Designer GAO Guangjian, Lighting Designer XIAO Lihe, Video Designer FENG Jiangzhou, and Costume Designer ZHANG Viola create the production’s immersive visual world.
Lady White Snake will be brought to life by two exceptional casts—Cast Moon and Cast Luck—performing on alternating dates, showcasing the full range of artistry and talent at the heart of this production.

Performance Schedule:

• Saturday, July 26 at 1:30 p.m. – Cast Moon
• Saturday, July 26 at 7:30 p.m. – Cast Luck
• Sunday, July 27 at 1:30 p.m. – Cast Moon

Cast: Moon

• Lady White / Wife – AO Dingwen
• Xu Xian / Husband – WU Husheng
• Xiao Qing – TAN Yimei
• Fa Hai / Psychologist – SONG Yu

Cast: Luck

• Lady White / Wife – LIU Sirui
• Xu Xian / Husband – SUN Jiayong
• Xiao Qing – WANG Nianci
• Fa Hai / Psychologist – SU Hailu

More detailed biographies of the lead dancers are included below.

Lady White Snake is the latest international production presented by the Shanghai Grand Theatre, one of China’s most prestigious cultural institutions. Known for its commitment to innovation and cross-cultural dialogue, the theatre plays a vital role in shaping China’s performing arts landscape and producing ambitious new works that engage audiences worldwide.

Dancer Biographies:

AO Dingwen is a Class I Actress in China, director, producer, choreographer, principal dancer with Suzhou Ballet, former principal dancer with Liaoning Ballet, director of Liaoning Dancers’ Association. At eighteen, she starred as Phrygia in Yuri Grigorovich's Spartacus. Her accolades include the Special Jury Prize at the Tokyo International Ballet Competition, Silver at Helsinki, and Gold at the Shanghai International Ballet Competition. She has performed lead roles in Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Le Corsaire, and Mulan, and is also an accomplished choreographer.

LIU Sirui is Principal Dancer with Cincinnati Ballet. Trained at the Shanghai Dance College, she won Gold Medals at both the Taolibei National Dance Competition and the Beijing International Ballet Competition, and was named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch.” Her repertoire spans Swan Lake, Cinderella, The Rite of Spring, and Mozart’s Requiem.

SONG Yu is a Class I Actor and principal soloist with the Shanghai Opera House Dance Ensemble. His awards include Lotus Cup Finalist Prizes in both Contemporary and Folk Dance. He has starred in productions such as Running to the Moon and The Legend of Chang’e’s Moon.

SU Hailu is a Class II Actor and educator at Beijing Dance Academy. A recipient of the National Lotus Prize and a recognized choreographer, he has performed in Painted Skin, Ruihe Tu, and television specials on CCTV and Hunan TV. He also teaches Classical Chinese Dance and is active in major cultural programs across China.

SUN Jiayong is Principal Dancer with Béjart Ballet Lausanne and former soloist with Ballet Basel and Ballet Zurich. He has performed in international galas and choreographed several works, including Spiral of Silence. His classical and contemporary repertoire includes Eugene Onegin, The Magic Flute, and The Rite of Spring.

TAN Yimei is a Class I Actress and soloist with the Shanghai Opera House Dance Ensemble. A graduate of the Shanghai Theatre Academy, she is a recipient of the Silver Award for Performance at the China Dance Lotus Awards and has performed in works such as February in Early Spring and Floating Life as a Dream.

WANG Nianci is also a Class I Actress and principal soloist with the Shanghai Opera House Dance Ensemble. She has received major national honors and performed lead roles in The Legend of Chang’e’s Moon, Dance and Moon Shadow, April on Earth, Man Jiang Hong and The Lofty Zheng Yang.