The China Daily reports that the $686 million complex, already dubbed by local papers as "China's Broadway," will feature a 2,000-seat main theatre and additional smaller houses seating 300-500. The Creative Beijing park complex is aiming for a 2012 completion, with the intent to present more than 100 musicals per year, including Fame, The Lion King and Aida.
The district is home to 87 of the nation's leading colleges and "the capital is a traditional cultural center, with the biggest audiences and the best performing talents," said Xu Feng, assistant to the chairman of Beijing Nederlander New Century International Theater Management Co.
Beijing audiences have proved their appetite for Western musicals with productions of Hairspray, Mamma Mia!, 42nd Street and The Lion King doing solid business.