The selection process for the 2024 Showlife Musical Awards officially kicked off on Wednesday, announced by the event organizer at a news conference hosted at the Shanghai Cultural Square.
Following the successful debut of the inaugural Showlife Musical Awards in February, which celebrated the finest musical productions of 2023, including stellar performances like the imported musical of Romeo and Juliet in French, the Chinese rendition of the classic The Phantom of the Opera, and the original musical B for Busy, the stage is now set for a new wave of musical excellence.
Kang Qi, the head of the service center for cultural development in Huangpu district, emphasized that the 2024 Showlife Musical Awards will uphold a commitment to excellence by placing the quality of productions at the forefront of the selection criteria. Recognizing musical theatre works that exemplify professionalism and critical acclaim in 2024, these awards seek to honor outstanding contributions to the world of musical theatre.
The 2024 awards feature a diverse array of accolades, including the main award list comprising two categories: professional theaters and new performance spaces. Additionally, four individual awards will be presented for the best original musical, best imported musical, best adapted musical, and most promising musical. These awards will be determined through a process combining industry data analysis and expert evaluations.
In a move towards inclusivity, the awards for the most popular actor, actress, and musical theatre song of the year will be open to public voting, allowing audiences to participate in recognizing their favorite talents and performances. Furthermore, a new category for the "Newly Added Musicals of 2025" will be introduced, with selections curated by the art committee of Show Life, offering a glimpse into the upcoming musical theatre season and guiding enthusiasts towards exciting new experiences in 2025.
The results of the awards will be officially unveiled at the "Enjoy Show Enjoy New Year" themed event scheduled for February 2025 at Show Life.