China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG) presents the New York debut of the award-winning dance drama MULAN produced and performed by China Ningbo Performance & Arts Group, with four performances only from September 18-20, 2026 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, NYC. Performances: Fri & Sat at 7:30pm, Sat at 1:30pm, Sun at 2:30pm. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased online https://www.davidhkochtheater.com/tickets-and-events/mulan.


“A remarkable and compelling re-telling of a quintessentially Chinese tale.”
– METRMAG

Winner of the China Dance Lotus Award, the highest honor in Chinese dance, MULAN is a sweeping, visually resplendent dance drama that reimagines one of China’s most enduring legends for global audiences. In that legend shaped by filial piety, bravery, and the yearning for peace, a young Chinese heroine disguises herself as a man to take her father’s place on the battlefield — and rises to eternal renown. Beyond depicting a warrior’s journey, it unfolds a profound narrative of self-identity, inner growth, and human compassion — the story of a woman who stands firm for her family, her homeland, and her true self.

Created by award-winning choreographers Zhou Liya and Han Zhen, the production masterfully merges classical Chinese dance, martial arts, and epic theatrical aesthetics into a powerful movement language. Where traditional retellings focus solely on Mulan’s heroism, this interpretation reveals her grace, vulnerability, and unwavering longing for peace.

Performed by an elite cast of dancers from China Ningbo Performance & Arts Group and headlined by Hao Ruoqi, Principal Dancer of China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater, MULAN delivers impeccable technical precision paired with profound emotional depth. Hao Ruoqi embodies Mulan with rare grace, strength, and agility, transitioning effortlessly between the rigor of military discipline and the lyrical softness of womanhood, capturing the core spirit of the iconic character. Xia Tian (as the male lead General Wei) also delivers brilliant performance.

Central to the production is a monumental 15-meter revolving stage, which acts as a quiet yet expressive presence: heightening the intensity of battle scenes, framing intimate emotional moments, and symbolizing the cycle of life, war, and remembrance. Complemented by exquisitely crafted period costumes and atmospheric lighting, the design elevates an ancient legend into an immersive contemporary theatrical experience — where East meets West, tradition meets innovation, and history comes vividly to life. Evocative original music weaves traditional Chinese folk instruments with dramatic symphonic orchestration. Transcending linguistic and cultural boundaries, it resonates with universal values: loyalty, sacrifice, self-discovery, and the eternal pursuit of peace.

A flagship production of CAEG’s Image China initiative, MULAN makes its New York debut at the David H. Koch Theater this fall. Majestic and unmissable, MULAN is far more than a dance drama — it is a timeless human story crafted for the world stage.