The ‘Three Kingdoms’ repertory of Yuediao Opera stands out among regional opera forms for its distinctive feature of casting female actors in xusheng (bearded male) roles. Shen Xiaomei, the first Yuediao performer to receive the China Theatre Plum Blossom Award, carries forward the artistic legacy of Shen Fengmei, whose unique style established the Shen School of performance. She excels in portraying Zhuge Liang, the legendary strategist known for his composure in adversity, capturing his intellectual essence through nuanced singing and expressive interpretation. The troupe is bringing in two acclaimed productions: the epic historical drama Jiang Wei Surrenders and the bittersweet comedy Li Tianbao Gets Married.