It's the morning of Lantern Festival more than 1,000 years ago, when the Tang Dynasty (618-907) was in its prime. The then capital Chang'an, today's Xi'an, Shaanxi province, awakens and stirs as its residents anticipate the evening's celebrations.

Lanterns are hung, market stalls are opened, vendors shout to attract customers, and the crowd gathers as street performers showcase ethereal traditional dances or awe-inspiring stunts. A wonderful night is ahead, with the city illuminated by thousands of lanterns, and festivities begin.

Little does the jubilant crowd know that an enemy attack looms — explosives are hidden around the city and soon detonate as the night quiets down. Li Bi, chief of the intelligence bureau, turns to Zhang Xiaojing, a former soldier and security official now under a death sentence, to save the day.

It is The Longest Day in Chang'an, a musical adaptation of writer Ma Boyong's eponymous suspense novel. The production premiered in Beijing on Feb 14, staging five performances over three days, and will perform in Shanghai from March 13 to 23.