On the cusp of performing art

The US production Peter Pan is being introduced to Chinese audiences as part of Zhong Lifang's plans to tap the potential of the country's theater market. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The mother of three young children, Zhong is also aware of how much people need a family-friendly show to spend some time together and to entertain their children in a fun and safe space.

With master degrees in international marketing management and insurance and risk management from the University of Surrey and the Cass Business School, both in Britain, Zhong watched stage shows of The Lion King and Cats in her college days.

Since 2010, Zhong started building her entertainment business.

In early 2013, she led the acquisition of Hollywood's leading visual effects company Digital Domain, which was co-founded by film director James Cameron and is known for producing effects for movies such as Titanic and Furious 7.

Before that, since 2003, she worked with Galloping Horse Pictures, a leading film and television production company in China, where she produced many successful film projects, such as John Woo's The Crossing and Chinese-American martial arts movie The Karate Kid, starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith.

"Content is very important. I believe that importing Western shows into China is not enough for the market. What I am interested is in investing in original and high-quality shows not only for the Chinese market but also for touring globally," says Zhong, who founded China Broadway Entertainment Holding Ltd two years ago, to fulfill her idea of making original live shows.

The first project she invested in was the musical An American in Paris, inspired by a 1951 movie. It won four Tony Awards last year.

Another musical, which her company has worked on for over two years, is The Secret, based on Taiwan-based pop icon Jay Chou's directorial debut film by the same name.

With an international production team, including award-winning American director John Rando, American playwright, Marc Acito and American dancer Zach Woodlee, the musical will premiere in Beijing on Dec 23.

"The most challenging part of producing a musical in China is finding good actors. We want to train our own actors by making these homegrown musicals," says Zhong, who is working with Taiwan singer-songwriter and record producer Jonathan Lee for a new musical next year.

She believes there's more room for growth of theater in China.