January 25, 2008

Sun staff

A resident of Bolingbrook is lending her professional skills to a unique production celebrating Chinese New Year.

Aifang He of Bolingbrook, a project manager for the Chinese New Year Spectacular show, knows she is taking part in something special.

"I came from mainland China, and I have never seen this type of show before," said Aifang, who has lived in Illinois since 1993.

The Chinese New Year event will be held Jan. 25 and 26 at Chicago's Arie Crown Theatre. It will feature music, dance and more.

The Chinese New Year Spectacular will spotlight many time-honored folk tales that illustrate the heavenly cultural gifts bestowed upon China, she said. It will be given in both Chinese and English.

Aifang sees the uniqueness of the Chinese New Year Spectacular show as one of its main strengths in drawing audiences. She has focused on this uniqueness in her promotion efforts.

"Since China's Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), the Chinese culture, along with numerous cultural relics, historical sites and ancient books, was destroyed," Aifang said. "China was once known as 'The Land of the Divine' because the ancients believed that Chinese culture was a gift from the heavens. I tell people this is about 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture, and you cannot see it anywhere else."

The variety of dance performances in the Chinese New Year Spectacular will mirror the ethnic and cultural diversity of China, a feature Aifang said reflects the country's varied regions.

"When I see it, I feel it is so amazingly beautiful," Aifang said. "I feel touched very deeply."

The show has just finished performing on Broadway. In the 2008 season, the show will be performed in more than 70 cities worldwide.

Show times are 8 p.m. Jan. 25 and 2 and 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at Arie Crown Theater at McCormick Place in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.bestchineseshows.com/chicago, by calling 312-225-5120 or by calling Ticketmaster at 212-559-1212.

On Dec. 12, Aifang received a proclamation honoring the Chinese New Year Spectacular from Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar.

"We offer residents in Bolingbrook a 10 percent discount for tickets with the code bb2510. We invite Bolingbrook residents to celebrate this holiday season with us at the 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular show," Aifang said.