Yu Yuanfan aimee3031@126.com OVER the past 145 years since its debut in 1878, Leo Tolstoy’s opus “Anna Karenina” has been adapted to movies, television series, ballets, operas, musicals, plays and many other forms in different countries and regions across the world, a testament to the literary masterpiece’s unfading popularity. In January 2024, audiences in Shenzhen will have the opportunity to watch in the Pingshan Theater one of the novel’s most successful adaptations — the Russian musical “Anna Karenina.” Debuted in 2016 at the Moscow Operetta State Academic Theater, the musical “Anna Karenina” was an instant hit in the literary great’s home country, shattering box office records for musicals and earning numerous honors and awards. This will be the musical’s first tour in China. Set in the late 19th century, the musical revolves around the love affair between the title character Anna Karenina and cavalry officer Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky. The love between them is so intense, so irresistible that Karenina decides to flee Saint Petersburg’s upper society in search for happiness with Vronsky, leaving her husband and son behind and disregarding the norms of her social circles. Whether their love can stand the tests of destiny, however, remains unclear. The musical will be in Russian language with Chinese subtitles. Directed by Alina Chevik, a name associated with many of the best-known Russian musicals and operettas, the musical boasts a libretto by renowned Russian bard Yuliy Kim, music by the Moscow Operetta State Academic Theater’s long-time partner Roman Ignatyev, and dancing choreographed by revered ballerina Irina Korneeva. Its sets and costumes are designed by Vyacheslav Okunev, who has cooperated with theaters worldwide including the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, the Scala Theater in Milan, the Theater Royal in Glasgow, the Vienna State Opera, the New York City Ballet, and the Verona Arena, and the lighting is designed by Golden Mask award winner Gleb Filshtinsky. Andrey Drykin, who has worked with fashion magazines such as Elle, Cosmopolitan and Vogue and luxury brands such as Chanel, Christian Dior and Givenchy, is the hair stylist and makeup designer. Time: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 19; 3 p.m., Jan. 20-21, 2024 Venue: Pingshan Theater, Pingshan District (坪山大剧院) Metro: Line 14 to Pingshan Square Station (坪山广场站), Exit D1 | 