Shanghai Tango

At first glance, a folk tale about a mother divided between her husband and her lover may seem cliché and not very appealing. But when this tale is told through unique dance performances, unlike most dance works, cliché is no longer in the picture. Shanghai Tango is an artistic work developed by modern dancer and choreographer Jin Xing. It’s a combination of both East, and West in dance, costumes, and music. Although Shanghai Tango is not actually a tango, the music by Astor Piazzolla, creates a distinct tango feel that works really well with the dancing. The performance is set in the mid 1800s and 1900s, displaying a hint of Shanghai’s city’s cultures and passions. This performance consists of an amazing visual appeal that keeps the audience engaged at all times, due to unexpected dance moves and a wonderful array of colors.

             All the scenes told a story, which all went back to the Chinese folktale about the mother and her love situation. However, even though the scenes were beautifully presented and performed, the meaning behind each dance was hard for viewers to grasp. Some performances created more of a soap opera feel, and it was hard to catch what exactly was happening and what emotions were felt between the dancers. The music would be upbeat and then slowdown, and dancers zoomed back and fourth across the stage, creating a confusing plot that was hard to follow. If a viewer did not read any background information on this piece prior to seeing it, they would experience the following: amazement due to the unique talent and visual appearance, and extreme confusion on what was happening throughout some scenes.

            Growing up in China’s cultural revolution, Jin Xing went through a difficult life and overall journey to achieve everything she has today. When you sit down and watch the 90-minute performance of Shanghai Tango you are truly impressed at the skills each of these dancers have. It’s an incredible, serene show that introduces audience members to a unique style of dance and music, with vibrant colors and different moods that stand out from other dances. Even if you’re confused on what occurs in each scene, in the end the show is quite an experience. From hearing the sound of tango, to seeing, not only a dance show, but also a light show, Shanghai Tango is definitely a sight to see.