Romance of the Western Chamber – a Musical by Howard Rubenstein and Max Lee is based on Xi Xiang Ji,  西廂記 , a 13th century Chinese comedy about the young love of a poor boy and rich girl and the many obstacles that interfere with love’s fulfillment, including the adamant mother of the girl and unsuitable suiters – all conquered by a meddling but charming and effective matchmaker.  There is a happy ending, and it is suitable for the whole family.  You can bring Grandma and the kids.  Beauty, music, singing, dancing, drama, comedy, Romance of the Western Chamber – a Musical has it all.

The subject is timeless and has held the Chinese stage almost continuously through eight centuries.  Recently it has been made into several Beijing operas, an art form beloved in China but admired by only a few connoisseurs in the West.  Howard Rubenstein made a modern adaptation in standard American English and selected Chinese folk melodies that would be pleasing to the western ear.  The music of the play developed with Rubenstein’s lyrics and selection of theme tunes, and Lee’s composition, arrangements, and some original songs, and transformed this ancient classic into a modern musical.

This transformation is intended to make the ancient play accessible and pleasing to modern western audiences as well as Asian ones, and to bridge the gap between western and Chinese culture.  Romance of the Western Chamber – a Musical had its world premiere on September 9, 2011, at the Dongpo Theatre in Hangzhou, China, in Rubenstein’s English with Mandarin supertitles.  It had its American premiere in 2017 at TADA! Theater, New York City.  Its west coast premiere, January, 2023, will be at Poway Center for the Performing Arts, Poway, California. 

Packed audiences, standing ovations, and critics’ praise:

China Press, Jing Lee, New York, 2017, “English words that are both accurate and easy to understand . . . . captured the audience’s attention from the beginning until the end.”

Hi! Drama, New York theater critic Leslie Dileo, 2017, “Absolutely charming . . . . a romantic tale that is universal, don’t miss it!”