Taiwanese Opera Star Chen Ya-lan Launches Charity Reality Show and Stage Play

Golden Bell Award winner Chen Ya-lan is pushing the boundaries of traditional Taiwanese opera with her innovative approach. She has launched "Heroine Club," Taiwan's first Gezai Opera reality show, which chronicles the demanding rehearsal process of various celebrities. This initiative culminates in a unique charity stage play, "Journey to the West: Trespassing Black Home."

The play premiered last Saturday at the Taoyuan Performing Arts Center to a sold-out audience and resounding applause. The event underscored Chen Ya-lan's commitment to blending traditional arts with contemporary engagement. All proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to charitable organizations, aiming to provide warmth and support to vulnerable individuals and the elderly living alone.

Chen Ya-lan, who is also the show's producer, director, and a lead actress, decided to combine the performance with a charitable cause, inspired by her annual participation in charity banquets for the elderly. She acknowledged the immense pressure on the artists, as Gezai Opera requires skills that cannot be mastered in a single year. However, the prospect of a charity performance motivated everyone to give their utmost effort.

The production faced significant challenges, with artists enduring physical discomfort and emotional strain. Wang Cai-hua humorously described her role as a "spider spirit," finding it easy to embody. She shared amusing anecdotes about her scenes with Bai Yun, who played Zhu Bajie, calling him a "natural Zhu Bajie." The cast also engaged in playful antics during rehearsals, adding levity to the intense preparation.

Despite the lighthearted moments, the artists held a deep respect for Gezai Opera. Zhuang Kai-xun described the atmosphere when Chen Ya-lan was present as akin to "elementary students listening to a lecture." The dynamic nature of Gezai Opera, requiring constant adaptation to live conditions, proved particularly challenging for actors accustomed to memorizing scripts. Wang Cai-hua noted that Chen Ya-lan's gentle yet firm guidance created an immediate sense of urgency and focus among the performers.

The emotional impact of the performance was profound, especially as elderly guests were invited to attend. Zhuang Kai-xun, whose own elderly family members are unwell, became emotional, reflecting on the fragility of health and the aging process. He hopes the artists' efforts will inspire greater public attention to the needs of the elderly and disadvantaged. Dora Xie, new to Gezai Opera, initially struggled with the Taiwanese dialect and traditional movements, experiencing anxiety. However, with persistent guidance from Chen Ya-lan and her seniors, she gradually found her rhythm.

At the curtain call, Chen Ya-lan expressed her pride in the cast's achievement, stating, "The biggest highlight this time is that the artists completed an impossible mission!" She also praised the young actors from the Lanyang Performing Arts Group for their impressive martial arts skills and solid foundation. "Seeing them, I feel that Gezai Opera truly has hope and can be passed down through generations!" she concluded.