Concerts and plays will usher in a new year for vibrant city

At the Shanghai Concert Hall, conductor Jin Yukuang will present with his ensemble the Novus-Classica Camerata, a late-night concert that will take audiences into New Year's Day. The program starts with festive favorites such as the works of Johann Strauss Jr. before featuring American compositions by George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein.

At the Shanghai Oriental Arts Center in Pudong, the New Year Concert will feature the Rainbow Chamber Singers, a renowned chorus group led by conductor and composer Jin Chengzhi.

Meanwhile, the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center announced earlier this month that it would add seven more shows of Deep in the Heart from Dec 18 to Jan 16 due to overwhelming response. The play revolves around a murder tale set in the rural communities of Southwest China's Guizhou province. The elaborate stage setting for this show features replicas of local buildings on supporting pillars, underwater scenes, and the unique heritage site of coffins etched into mountain cliffs. The producers have also installed dozens of screens around the stage to show audiences the facial expressions of the characters.

Another new play at the center is Letter to a Child Never Born, which is the first theater adaptation of Italian writer Oriana Fallaci's novel of the same title. Taking place from Dec 24 to Jan 9, the play featuring three actresses and a live music performance by Yin Yin is centered on a woman's reflection on love and existence, and life and death, says Zhou Ke, director of the play.

A more lighthearted show for families with young children will take place at Shanghai Children's Art Theater from Dec 31 to Jan 3.Featuring colorful puppets and popular children's rhymes, Baby Shark Live: The Hidden Treasure is the latest production by the theater for children aged 2 and above.