BELOVED HEROINE: Oliva Fan (right) of North Brunswick, and Sofia Liang of Plainsboro, are among the cast for Huaxia Chinese School of Plainsboro’s presentation of “The Ballad of Mulan” at the Kelsey Theatre.

An original theatrical adaptation celebrating the courage, intelligence, and determination of one of China’s most beloved heroines comes to life when the Huaxia Chinese School at Plainsboro brings The Ballad of Mulan to the stage of Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre, August 1-3.

This family-friendly performance is based on the centuries-old Chinese ballad “The Legend of Mulan,” an inspiring story of a young woman who disguises herself as a man to take her father’s place in the army. She becomes a formidable warrior as she fights and saves China, but when the Emperor ultimately honors her for her long and distinguished military service, she declines the position of high office he offers and returns home to her beloved family.

The multi-disciplinary performance includes poetry, music, songs, dances, and Chinese martial arts, and is narrated in Chinese and English.

Dates and showtimes for The Ballad of Mulan are Friday, Aug. 1 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 2 and 3 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is on MCCC’s West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. Tickets are $16 for adults and $14 for children and students. Visit kelseytheatre.org.