
Choreography: Chang Liu (Leo) & Huiwang Zhang
Performance: Chang Liu (Leo) & Huiwang Zhang
Music: Enjoying Coolness in a Summer Night by Zhihui Li
Sound Design: Chang Liu (Leo)
Set Design: Chunqi Han & Guangcheng Li
Costume Design: Lei Wu, Xiaojun Chen, Mingyue Wang, Xiangzhi Bing
Light Design: Wenguo Bai
Photography & Photoshop: Zheng Zhang & Haidong Liu
Research Mentor: Xinmin Zhang & Yunxi Man
Chinese Opera Instructor: Jialin Jia
Produced in 2011 by Beijing Dance Academy
Premiered at Salon Theater, Beijing, China, 2011
Awarded the 2nd Place of the Best Choreography at the 4th Academy Awards Dance Competition, Beijing Dance Academy, Beijing, China
Official Selected Showcase Work at the First Beijing College Dance Festival, Beijing, China
Concept:
In Immortal Mountain, Childlike Wonder (仙山童趣), two celestial youths—Crane Boy and Deer Boy—dance through the enchanted realm of their sacred duty. As guardians of the mythical immortal herb, their movements balance joyful mischief and spiritual devotion. They romp through clouds and light, embodying the innocent delight of play while holding fast to the weight of responsibility. Drawing from the classical Peking Opera masterpiece “Stealing the Immortal Grass” (盗仙草) developed in 19th century, this duet reimagines the traditional form through a lens of youthful energy and philosophical inquiry: What happens when duty and emotion collide? How does one choose between loyalty and compassion?
The piece does not merely revive tradition—it embodies a philosophy of rooted innovation. As the choreographers write: “We must move forward and embrace the contemporary, but not at the cost of abandoning our roots.” In tracing the footprints of those before us, Immortal Mountain, Childlike Wonder uncovers the luminous treasures of Chinese heritage and brings them forward with reverence and imagination. Reclaiming the past is not regression—it is the beginning of a deeper, more powerful journey.


2011
Immortal Mountain, Childlike Wonder (仙山童趣)
dance + choreography
Beijing, China




