One year ago, the Twin Cities Chinese and Jewish communities came together for a historic milestone: the world premiere performance of the first act of Shanghailanders by Master Shen Pei, Artistic Director of Shen Pei Arts Alliance, in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Center for Jewish Studies. Now the wait is over. The complete two-act dance drama is coming to the stage, and the two communities are again invited to come together as music and dance evoke a shared history.

During World War II, Shanghai stood as a global sanctuary—it was the only city to keep its doors open to those with nowhere else to go, ultimately saving over 20,000 Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. This dance drama, inspired by real historical figures, breathes life into a narrative of cooperation and resilience across very different communities, an example of coexistence and harmony in the darkest of times.