AVANT-GARDE theater director Meng Jinghui’s rock musical “The Murder of Hanging Garden” will be staged at the Guangming Culture and Art Center in September.

The six-scene work begins with a rumor of the murder of real estate magnate Mr. Wang. After he goes missing, body parts believed to be his are found spewing from an ATM. The play unfolds with the search for his killer, spurred by a generous reward from Wang’s wife — a villa known as the Hanging Garden. In the end, three different “killers” confess, only for it to be discovered that Wang isn’t even dead.

In three independent storylines, the musical explores love, friendship, and father-child relationships against the backdrop of the characters’ common desire for wealth and fame.

The production features the typical characteristics of Meng’s works, including abstract settings, a bizarre storyline, and exaggerated actions by performers. It takes aim at China’s emerging middle class and their obsession with fame and money in an absurd fashion, while featuring all the trappings of a mainstream commercial production: a young cast, modern music, and an urbane aesthetic.

“It’s not really dark, it’s just strange and ridiculous and paranoid. It’s complicated and twisted. It’s about the relentless grabbing for material goods and people’s spiritual loss,” Meng says.

Born in Beijing, Meng is a renowned director in the international theater circle with several well-known works to his name.

Time: 3 p.m., Sept. 5 & 6

Venue: Grand Theater, Guangming Culture and Art Center, Guangming District (光明文化艺术中心演艺中心大剧场)

Metro: Line 6, Fenghuang Town Station (凤凰城站), Exit B(Tang Li)