A musical opera titled "Lionhearted Youth" has been staged in Guangzhou Opera House for six consecutive times as the opening performance of the 5th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Chinese Theater Cultural Festival, marking the beginning of its national tour in 2025.

The musical opera was co-produced by the CPAA Theaters, a subsidiary of China Arts and Entertainment Group, and Guangzhou Opera House. It drew the participation of many prominent actors such as Jordan Chan, Kimchi, Fang Shujian, Chen Keming, Li Qiumeng, and Chen Qin.

The musical opera focuses on intangible cultural heritage of lion dance and the Lingnan culture, depicts the inspirational stories of ordinary youths in the pursuit of personal dream, and undergoes several rounds of revisions as well as improvement in terms of music, lyrics, script and dance.

Over 50,000 people have visited theaters to enjoy the musical play and intangible cultural heritage. It has met warm response from the audiences with touching storyline, melodies, and the innovative combination between lion dance elements and performing arts.

The musical opera has won several awards, which include the Special Award of the 2024 Beijing Tianqiao Musical Annual Ceremony, the 2024 Performing Arts World Musical Chart's Outstanding Musical Play of the Year, the 2024 Performing Arts Guangdong Annual Release: Top Show of the Year, Best Original Work of the Year, and the Innovation Award of the Year.

During its debut in Guangzhou, the audience gave their applause for more than twenty times, praising it as a sincere feast for the eyes and ears. Some people said that the musical opera has successfully struck a chord with them and helped them become more culturally confident through the Lingnan culture.

The performance has received extensive coverage from various media outlets such as China Youth Daily, CCTV, Guangdong Radio and Television Station, Guangzhou Radio and Television Station, Guangzhou Daily, Southern Daily, Southern Metropolis Daily, and Yangcheng Evening News.

After its show in Guangzhou, the musical opera will embark on its national tour, with scheduled performance in Shanghai Cultural Square from March 28 to 30, the Theater of Meixihu International Culture &Arts Centre from April 4 to 5, and Shezhen Bay Opera from April 11 to 12.