Impressed by the phenomenal success of The Phantom of the Opera, which completed its 100th performance in Shanghai two weeks ago, with a record-breaking box office collection of 65 million yuan (US$7.83 million), the Shanghai Grand Theater plans to introduce another classic to local fans by the year's end.

The choice is between London-based Saturday Night Forever, Broadway hits West Side Story and 42nd Street.

"We want the next one to be more entertainment-oriented, aiming to attract audiences of all age," said Zhang Xiaoding with the theater.

"All the three musicals feature familiar rhythms and splendid dancing."

According to the plan, the chosen play will be staged in December and will last for 2-3 weeks.

First brought to the stage in the 1950s, West Side Story is a modern-day re-telling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

42nd Street, as the second longest running American musical in Broadway history, depicts the backstage stories of Broadway actors and actresses.

Newly adapted in 1998, Saturday Night Forever features music of the world's famous band Bee Gees.

"I think 42nd Street is better," said Jin Fuzai, dean of the department of musical theater of Shanghai Conservatory of Music. "It is a typical Broadway show."

(Shanghai Daily March 25, 2005)