But while Western musicals, especially recognized pieces from Broadway, New York or the West End of London, are well received in Shanghai, Chinese musicals still struggle for audiences, Fei says.

The Culture Square has presented established musicals, such as Phantom of the Opera, and Elisabeth in German, as well as Chinese productions translated from English, such as Mamma Mia! and War Horse. The latter completed a two-month run on Jan 17.

Later this year, another German-language musical, Mozart, will be staged at the Shanghai Culture Square.

Fei says that producing original Chinese musicals is inevitable for the industry. "As a professional theater for musicals in Shanghai, we believe it is our obligation to promote original musicals from China, through favorable rent as well as extra support with the box office and publicity initiatives."

Chang's hit songs have enduring popularity in China and are frequently on the radio, says Chan Le-rong, a song writer, Internet DJ and author from Taiwan. He used to work with Chang as a lyricist.

"Yusheng had a vision. Were it not for the accident, he would have had his own musical production in the 1990s," says Chan.

Hsiao Hong-ren, the lead actor in the play, is a self-taught musician and songwriter. The heroine will be played by Pan Xiaofen from Beijing, a trained soprano. A professional vocal coach has been hired to help the actors.

If you go

More Than Words

7:15 pm, Feb 27, 28. Shanghai Culture Square, 225 Shaanxi Road South, Xuhui district, Shanghai. 021-6472-6000. Tickets: 80-380 yuan ($12-$58).