Jackie Chan’s LongYun Kung Fu Troupe

[GeneChing]

Jackie Chan's Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe Coming to Chicago in February (http://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/article/Jackie-Chans-Long-Yun-Kung-Fu-Troupe-Coming-to-Chicago-in-February-20160114#)
January 14 3:51 PM 2016
👤by BWW News Desk

http://images.bwwstatic.com/columnpic7/29309FBBE-EA90-4B3F-10610197B40FE46B.jpg

The Chinese Fine Arts Society, Chicago's champion for Chinese art and culture and longtime leader of Chinese New Year festivities here, proudly announces its annual lineup of Chinese New Year events celebrating 2016 as the Year of the Monkey, with its centerpiece to be the Midwest debut of film star and kung fu master Jackie Chan's Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe at the University of Chicago's Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th Street, in two performances only, Tuesday and Saturday evenings, February 9 and 13, at 7:30pm.

"We are honored to partner with so many of Chicago's top cultural institutions in celebration of the Chinese New Year," said Chinese Fine Arts Society President Julie Tiao Ma. "It is thrilling to see how the City of Chicago has embraced the joyous tradition of China's most important holiday and we are delighted to see that we are making tremendous progress toward Mayor Rahm Emanuel's 2014 challenge to make Chicago the top destination in America for Chinese New Year celebrations."

Direct from Beijing, this engagement marks Jackie Chan's Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe's second only appearance in the U.S. since its founding in 2006 and the troupe's first time in the Midwest. Long Yun will present the U.S. Premiere of its new work 11 Warriors, a performance in five chapters combining kung fu, ballet, modern dance and drama to interpret the origin, spirit, artists, tenderness and essence of kung fu. Long Yun is made up of 11 nationally recognized Chinese Kung fu artists working under troupe president, Hu Wei. Under Jackie Chan's direction, the members of Long Yun studied extensively in all areas of performance - piano, voice, literature, as well as all forms of Chinese kung fu including Tai Chi, Bagua, Long Fist, Wing Chun, and many others. Long Yun focuses on traditional elements of kung fu with folding fans, flag performances, sword performances, and an element of chivalry in addition to modern elements of dance, drama, and technology to create a completely new art form. The troupe remains committed to its mission to share the five thousand years of China's culture and essence to audiences from China and abroad.

"I am delighted that the Chinese Fine Arts Society has arranged for the Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe to bring my vision of contemporary kung fu to the great city of Chicago and I am proud that Long Yun was chosen to be the first group to travel to Chicago under the cultural exchange agreement that was signed by the Ministry of Culture and Choose Chicago earlier this year," said Jackie Chan. "I am excited that a broad audience will have the chance to see the strength, agility and artistic depth of our new show 11 Warriors. I hope the relationship forged between the Chinese Fine Arts Society, the City of Chicago and the Long Yun Troupe is the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership, and that we will have many opportunities for future collaboration."

In May 2015, Choose Chicago, the city's official sales and marketing agency, and the China International Cultural Association, under the guidance of the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cultural cooperation. The MOU signifies a commitment to further develop cultural ties in an effort to strengthen both Chicago and China as prominent global cultural tourism destinations. Long Yun is the first artistic group to be brought over by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Choose Chicago under the bilateral Cultural exchange agreement.

"We are delighted to welcome Long Yun to Chicago for Chinese New Year. I'm certain audiences will be amazed by the artistic talent and strength shown by these performers," said Melissa Cherry, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Cultural Tourism at Choose Chicago. "It is unique cultural programming like the Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe performances that further strengthens Chicago's relationship with China and our commitment to offering visitors educating and enriching experiences."

I didn't know this was even a thing. Cool.

[GeneChing]

More on JC's troupe here (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49689-Martial-Arts-in-Live-Theater&p=1290019#post1290019).


Jackie Chan's Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe Makes Midwest Debut at Chicago's Chinese New Year (http://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/article/Jackie-Chans-Long-Yun-Kung-Fu-Troupe-to-Make-Midwest-Debut-at-Chicagos-Chinese-New-Year-20160208)
February 9 12:30 AM 2016

http://newimages.bwwstatic.com/columnpic7/iconsquareimage002407.jpg

Jackie Chan's Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe Makes Midwest Debut at Chicago's Chinese New YearThe Midwest debut of Jackie Chan's Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe will be the centerpiece of Chicago's citywide 2016 Chinese New Year Celebration tonight, February 9 at 7:30pm at Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th Street.
Direct from Beijing, this engagement marks film star Jackie Chan's Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe's second only appearance in the U.S. and the troupe's first time in the Midwest. Long Yun will present the U.S. Premiere of its new work 11 Warriors, a performance in five chapters combining traditional elements of kung fu, folding fans, flag and sword performances with modern dance and drama to create a completely new art form.

Long Yun will perform 11 Warriors a second time on Saturday, February 13 at 7:30pm at Logan Center for the Arts.

[GeneChing]

I just poached this from our Martial-Arts-in-Live-Theater (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49689-Martial-Arts-in-Live-Theater) thread, mostly because of their haircuts.


http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/02/feature-1038x576.gif
Courtesy of Chinese Fine Art Society
LONGYUN KUNG FU TROUPE IS HERE IN TIME TO CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR (http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/02/feature-1038x576.gif)
FEBRUARY 12, 2016
By Qingwei Vivian Chen

Jackie Chan’s LongYun Kung Fu Troupe came to Chicago to usher in the year of the monkey with modern dance that draws on the traditions of Kung Fu, ballet and drama. This is the troupe’s second performance in North America and their first time in the Midwest.

LongYun Kung Fu Troupe performed “11 Warriors” at the Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago this week. The performance covers “Five chapters: Source, Soul, Master, Softness, Celebration and Fighters” to interpret the origin, spirit, artists, tenderness and essence of Kung Fu. The final performance is on Saturday. Information about the troupe and the Saturday performance can be found on The Chinese Fine Arts Society website.

http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/02/Long-Yun-2.gif
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/02/1.gif
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/02/14.gif
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/02/33.gif
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/02/28.gif
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/02/26.gif

“From its primeval origins to its refined precision and technical mastery, ’11 Warriors’ takes the audience on a journey through both the physical and spiritual development of a Kung Fu master. Informed by ancient Chinese philosophy, art and aesthetics, the program demonstrates Kung Fu’s connection to the underlying tenets of Chinese culture,” explains the dance program.

Handpicking by international martial art star and Hollywood legend Jackie Chan, the LongYun Troupe was officially founded in 2006. “Some of us were just 11 when we were chosen, in the past nine years, we have lived, studied, and trained together to create a stunning new art form,” said Mingwu Hu, who heads the troupe and also coaches and choreographs the dances.

“I am delighted that the Chinese Fine Arts Society has arranged to bring my vision of contemporary Kung Fu to the great city of Chicago. And I am excited that a broad audience will have the chance to see the strength, agility and artistic depth of our new show ’11 Warriors’,” Jackie Chan said in in a written statement.

In Chinese culture, Kung Fu goes beyond martial arts and literally means to pursue mastery, with the objective of perfecting personal “being” to the utmost.

“We have brought our Kung Fu performance to many different counties around the world, but we keep trying and incorporating elements from different disciplines into our martial arts,” said Hu. “Everyone in our group is contributing their new ideas,” he added.

Unlike other performances with martial artists, acrobatic artists and dancers in the show, Hu said all the artists in the troupe learn Kung Fu, traditional dance and music, and also ballet to perfectly combine all of these art elements. Their unique style of incorporating martial arts and dance forms is called Xin Wu Lin, which means “new martial arts.”

“’11 Warriors’ is real Chinese Kung Fu that not only inherits tradition, but also innovation,” said Zhitao Pan, dance professor at the Beijing Dance Academy in Beijing.

“Anyone who goes to any Chinese cultural performances will recognize the beautiful long sleeves that you typically see on beautiful women, buts these guys re-appropriate them, combined with Kung Fu and make this a completely different art form,” said Julie Ma, president of the Chinese Fine Arts Society in Chicago. The mix of people in the audience marks a wonderful success, she said. “For us, we are not only interested in promoting Chinese culture to Chinese people, we are interested in sharing our culture with western audience too.”

Photo at top: Final scene in the performance:Fighters (Photo courtesy of The Chinese Fine Arts Society)

[GeneChing]

JACKIE CHAN'S LONG YUN KUNG FU TROUPE FROM BEIJING (http://www.auditoriumtheatre.org/shows/11-warriors/)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2gPQWPt8AU

Auditorium Theatre > Productions >
Saturday, February 4 | 7:30PM

Celebrate Chinese New Year at the Auditorium Theatre with Jackie Chan’s Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe from Beijing for an evening of heart-stopping artistry and athleticism. The 11 members of the Long Yun Troupe were hand-picked by internationally renowned martial artist, actor, and film director Jackie Chan himself and they effortlessly meld elements of kung fu and traditional Chinese dance to create an entirely new art form, showcased throughout 11 Warriors. Co-presented with the Chinese Fine Arts Society and Choose Chicago as part of the City of Chicago’s annual Chinese New Year Celebration, the Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe promises an unforgettable evening that is perfect for the whole family!

VIP Seating
Purchase a VIP seat and join us for an exclusive VIP post-performance dessert reception with the Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe in the Dress Circle of the Auditorium Theatre’s historic lobby. Your VIP Reception ticket also includes a commemorative program book. VIP seats are $155 and located in the front orchestra from row J – O.

Phone: 312.341.2300 | Box Office: 50 E Congress Pkwy
Groups of 10+ are available now.

I would love to see this show. It's been a while since I've seen a professionally-produced Kung Fu show like this.

[GeneChing]

Anyone here see this show yet?


Jackie Chan's kung fu troupe will have more room to fly for '11 Warriors' at Auditorium (http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/ct-jackie-chan-show-sidewalks-kogan-ent-0131-20170130-column.html)

http://www.trbimg.com/img-588faaa7/turbine/ct-ct-ct-ent-0131-jackie-chan-show-sidewalks-koga-20170130/750/750x422
Members of Jackie Chan's LongYun Kung Fu Troupe pose for a portrait at the Drake Hotel Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Rick Kogan
Chicago Tribune

Saturday was the first night of the two-week celebration of the Chinese New Year. It is, by that country's calendar, year 4,715 (Year of the Rooster), and all that 11 young men from Beijing wanted was a good meal, which they got at the Cheesecake Factory on Michigan Avenue, and a good night's sleep, which they grabbed a couple of blocks north at the Drake Hotel.

They are the members of the Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe, which was created a bit more than a decade ago by international movie star Jackie Chan. The young men spent more than 18 hours on planes and in airports to get the 6,500 miles or so from Beijing to Chicago.

"We are glad to be here," said a woman named Wei Hu on Sunday through a translator. She is what is called the "group leader," a den mother of sorts. "We are busy but happy."

Busy is a relative term, for this group will have a very full week, with all manner of formal events, some shopping, a bit of touristy stuff. On Sunday night they attended the Bulls' game and loved watching the home team's 121-108 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. To a man, they love basketball.

But the highlight of their visit — for them and the city — will be Saturday night's performance at the Auditorium Theatre in a show called "11 Warriors."

On Sunday afternoon, rested enough to be pleasantly playful, the young men were in the Drake posing for photos, all wearing hooded sweat shirts that were among the many pieces of winter clothing given to them by Chan in advance of their trip here.

Chan is the reason for their being in Chicago, and for their group's existence. More than 10 years ago, he traveled throughout China looking for the most talented young martial artists in the country. He selected 11 boys to form the group. All were under the age of 18, with the youngest only 11.

And they got to work, at first performing mainly kung fu and qigong, a Chinese system of physical exercises and breathing control.

They lived together in Beijing and studied and learned. More elements were added, from traditional Chinese dance, music, speech, and writing, as well as the incorporation of contemporary ballet and modern dance, along with such embellishments as video projections and complex lighting schemes.

The group began to perform frequently in China, as it still does dozens of times a year. But when some of its performances were aired on various television programs in Asia, its reputation began to spread and so did the number of requests for its talents.

In 2014, the group made its U.S. debut in Houston, the same year it made its initial European tour to five countries. Praise was lavish.

"What they have created is a completely new art form," says Julie Ma who, as president of our city's Chinese Fine Arts Society, first saw the group perform in China in 2015. "For all his fame and celebrity, Jackie Chan is a great philanthropist and a great believer in the possibilities for Chinese art, an advocate for the idea that Chinese art should continue to evolve."

Thanks to Ma, the troupe made its first visit to Chicago last February, performing in the 474-seat theater in the Logan Center for the Arts in Hyde Park. There were two shows and the place was packed to capacity. Those who were there will never forget it.

It was a compelling and captivating mixture of music, song, video, storytelling, athleticism, agility and philosophy. It was substantive and hip without pretense. The local arts and culture website Third Coast Review wrote that "the overall effect … was one of power, balance and calm, with the lush backdrop of Chinese culture augmenting the impressive display of skill and art."

It should be even better this year, since the Auditorium's larger stage (the theater also has 4,000 some seats) will, says Ma, "allow the group to do so many things that they were unable to do at the Logan. It will be a much more expansive show."

Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, the new CEO of the Auditorium (she started in October), is thrilled. "It is so exciting," she says. "We have some experience with staging spectacles and this will be one. I haven't seen the group in person, yet, but in watching the videos and seeing the production values and staging, I know it will be a powerful show."

You can see some videos at http://www.chinalongyun.cn.

[GeneChing]

Review: Artistry under all the flash in Jackie Chan's Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe (http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/dance/ct-kung-fu-troupe-dance-review-ent-0206-20170205-story.html)

http://www.trbimg.com/img-589763ef/turbine/ct-cth-long-yun-review-jpg-20170205/700/700x394
The Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe presents "11 Warriors" at the Auditorium Theatre. (Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe photo)

Lauren Warnecke
Chicago Tribune

Many Americans' first thought when they hear the words "kung fu" is Jackie Chan. Well, maybe it's actually that line in the first "Matrix" movie when Keanu Reeves famously utters, "I know kung fu." But their second thought is definitely Jackie Chan. Once the stuntman for the iconic martial artist Bruce Lee, Chan's claim to fame is his massive resume and lightning-fast fighting style peppered with comedy, props and flair. Jackie Chan's Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe is a touring ensemble consisting of China's most talented martial artists, hand-picked by the legend to develop a new form of stage performance that incorporates his unique style of martial arts with dance, music and video. Think the Jesse White Tumblers, but kung fu. Based in Beijing, the Long Yun Troupe currently features 11 artists, some of whom have lived and worked together since childhood.

The troupe's latest production, "11 Warriors," made a stop in Chicago on Saturday for a one-nighter at the Auditorium Theatre. Audience members were taken on what can only be described as an epic journey, sketching the origins of kung fu in six acts that fit tightly into an hour. Each act was separated by a Hollywood-style video montage, accompanied by a schmaltzy musical score: a very loud mix of Western orchestrations, dubstep electronica and traditional Chinese influences.

The first two acts revealed a bit of Chinese philosophy and the ultimate goal of kung fu: the pursuit of mastery over "the self." A series of solos placed in stark pools of light cast shadows over the soloists' faces as each, one-by-one, slowly moved through traditional martial arts gestures. They shifted right to left with a low center of gravity, almost in a split, and then snapped into fighting stance. The immediate shift in tempos was striking — as though their bodies were continually en garde. Turns out, that had to be, because the performers then took up batons and swords, creating a dizzying, metallic swirl around their bodies even as they climbed on top of and around each other.

In Act 3, things got a bit silly (in the best way). Three performers acted out a scene in which a kung fu master, donning a classic yellow jump suit, trained two pupils to fight. The pupils are bumbling and absurd until put to the test against a band of bad guys in a five-on-two fight. It was the final two acts, however, that most clearly showcased these artists and the birth of a new form combining dance and martial arts. It's pretty clear that dance came second in the men's training, creating a uniquely different approach to executing conventional dance steps. The fourth section, "Softness," was all about water, the element that "ebbs and flows effortlessly towards its destination. No thinking, no hesitation" (according to program notes). Plops of light drop to the stage like raindrops as the dancers move through liquid low lunges in a sword dance, further tempered by gauzy white costumes and silk fabrics hanging from above the stage. "Celebration," the finale, is the most magical of all, as the dancers use brilliantly crafted, overly long shrugs to project stage-length fabrics — like go-go gadget arms — with every toss of their upper limbs. It's a magnificent visual effect, a logistical feat of wonder, as the dancers gather and toss the fabrics without a misstep, even as they bound up and over each others' backs in remarkable tumbling passes.

Typical dance audiences probably won't jive with "11 Warriors." It lacks subtlety and sophistication. It's commercialized and sensationalistic; at times, it's cliche. "11 Warriors" treats kung fu the same way "Riverdance" treats Irish step dancing: with a glossy treatment designed for pure entertainment that appeals to a general audience. And to that I say, who cares? I had the pleasure of visiting Beijing last year and found it commercialized and sensationalistic, too, but beneath the smog and neon lights is a dynamic, complex culture with a fascinating 5,000-year history. So, in a way, Long Yun is a perfect representation of its home city. If Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe from Beijing can share a small piece of China (past and present) with international audiences in a fun and accessible way, while affording young people the chance to make a living as artists, that seems like a win-win.

Lauren Warnecke is a freelance critic.

ctc-arts@chicagotribune.com

I wish one of our members would review this. Or that it might play near me so I could review it.