The Chinese dance drama Mulan is staged at the Boch Center in Boston, the United States on Sept 23. [Photo/Zhang Xiaoxi]

The Chinese dance drama Mulan, created by the Ningbo Performance and Arts Group, recently garnered immense praise at its premiere in the United States.

The dance drama tells the legendary tale of Hua Mulan, who disguises herself as a man to protect her father from being conscripted into the war and later becames a skilled and respected warrior in the Chinese army after 12 years.

The premiere in the United States includes two performances in Boston and four performances in Washington DC. The first performance was held at the Boch Center on Sept 23 and received an enthusiastic applause that lasted for 15 minutes after the curtain fell.

Huang Ping, Chinese Consul General in New York, said that the dance drama from Ningbo brings people together and enhances people-to-people exchange. It creates a cultural bridge between the two countries.

"I'm very impressed with the dancers. They are really skilled. The dance did a good job of bringing out the emotions of the story," said an audience member after the show.

"We hope the performance will promote traditional Chinese culture and enhance its influence abroad," said Lin Hong, chairman of the Ningbo Performance and Arts Group.