"We are not seeking to tell the story in a totally ancient or modern way, but want to bridge the past and the present through the play. We stick to traditional costumes on one hand, and explore a refreshing visual presentation combined with modern elements at the same time. It is not only the story of how Li Shande completes the impossible, but also indicates the challenges and choices that everyone is facing at different times," Li added.

Li's ideas echoed with the production team. Ren Xueying, producer of the play and deputy general manager of Xi'an Performing Arts Group, said at the meeting: "Li Shande is every one of us, who keeps running for life, bound by rules, but always bursts with the most resilience at the most critical moments."

Following its premiere in Shanghai, the play is set to hit the stage in Xi'an next month and many other cities across China, such as Ningbo and Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, Shenyang in Liaoning province, Kunshan in Jiangsu province, Haikou in Hainan province and Nanchang in Jiangxi province.