The musical Ah, Kuling!, set in an ancient town in Fujian province, is about hope, homesickness, friendship and love. It will debut in Fujian in June and then tour the rest of the country. Photo provided to China Daily

"When I saw the foreign-style houses, I could imagine the harmonious life of people of different nationalities living there," says Li.

"I also saw a big tree, which is more than 1,300 years old. Children were playing and elderly people were drinking tea under the tree. The picture is so peaceful and warm."

Inspired by the scene, Li made a 9-meter-tall tree onstage, and Gardner's childhood started from there.

He also invited his longtime friend, Hong Kong composer Peter Kam Pui-tat, songwriter Liang Mang, American director Joey McKneely and New York-based choreographer-dancer Yin Mei to work on the musical together.

"The musical is about hope, homesickness, friendship and love," says McKneely, who has been collaborating with Li for years and is now based in Beijing.

With his credits ranging from Tony nominations Smokey Joe's Cafe, The Life and choreography of West Side Story, McKneely says that he has been working with Li on three Chinese musicals.

"When we worked on the musical, Ah, Kuling!, I felt like I was Milton Gardner, with a dream in China," McKneely says.

If you go

7:30 pm, June 10-19. Fujian Grand Theater, 83 Gutian Lu (Road), Fuzhou, Fujian. 400-610-3721.