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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.

Huiwang Zhang & Chang Liu (Leo), photo by Haidong Liu (ChinaDance.cn)

2011

Immortal Mountain, Childlike Wonder (仙山童趣)

dance + choreography

Beijing, China

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