UCCA, in partnership with Ping Pong Productions, is pleased to present “Performing Arts Platform Series: The Magic of Cole Porter” by soprano Kerry Holahan and pianist Kemin Zhang. The concert features pieces that show the wide variety of styles, emotions, and themes found in songs by Cole Porter, one of America’s most treasured composers and lyricists.

Many of Porter’s seemingly innocent songs contain layers of sophistication and complexity that are unmatched by other Broadway songwriters of the time. His songs reflect America’s complicated but illustrious history in the first half of the twentieth century and the spirit of the era.

For their UCCA concert, Holahan will also perform a selection of Chinese folk songs, and Zhang will demonstrate his unique blend of music and magic.

First Half

1. “Another Op’nin’, Another Show”

2. “Night and Day”

3. “I Get a Kick Out of You”

4. “So in love”

5. “Let’s Do It”

15-Minute Intermission

Second Half

1. “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”

2. “Too Darn Hot”

3. “In the Still of the Night”

4. “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye”

5. “Anything Goes”

Program subject to change.

Note

*You can collect your ticket from the ticket desk 30 minutes before the event begins.

*No late entry.

American soprano Kerry Holahan has been praised for her engaging performances and song interpretations, both in classical and Broadway styles. Holahan recently completed a graduate degree at the Peabody Conservatory and enjoys an active performing career around the United States. She lived in Beijing from 2002 to 2010 and is particularly excited to bring this program of beloved American songs to Chinese audiences.

Born to a musical family in China and raised in Canada, musician/magician Kemin Zhang was influenced by music and theater since childhood. Zhang’s television career began in 2004 as a magician on CCTV’s special Chinese New Year mini-series Happy Hero: Magic Training Camp, along with numerous guest appearances on regional channels across China. After writing, producing, co-directing, and starring in several commercials, Zhang turned his interest to the stage and made his debut as a musical theater director in a production of the musical Oliver! at the People's Liberation Army Opera House in Beijing (2008). In 2012 Kemin founded the Bukaopu Concert Saloon. As founder and CEO of WDTSF and executive director of the Li Delun Music Foundation, Zhang continues to dream up new ways to contribute to humanity without causing too much damage.

Ping Pong Productions (PPP) is a catalyst that brings China and the world together through the performing arts. As artistic ambassadors, they engage cultures through discourse, searching for points of cooperation, mutual exchange, and understanding. They develop cultural exchange projects and facilitate creative collaborations between Chinese and international artists, scholars and audiences. With teams based in China and the United States, PPP has extensive experience providing production, consulting, management, and planning services.

Li Delun Music Foundation

WDTSF

In March 2014, UCCA and Ping Pong Productions (PPP) launched the Performing Arts Platform Series. Through a wide variety of performances, open rehearsals, performing arts workshops, master classes, arts management seminars, lectures, talks, and discussions with artists, critics, and scholars, the program series creates unprecedented opportunities for Chinese and international performing artists and audiences to meet and interact. It facilitates cross-genre and cross-cultural exploration, enriching cultural exchange and collaboration between Chinese and international artists, audiences, and students.