Families, couples and friends gathered under a light canopy of green foliage in New York recently to watch a Chinese comedy. Although the star of the show, Alan Chow, has performed Romance of the Iron Bow for 20 years, he is still not tired of the story.

"He's got a true passion for Chinese opera," says Chen Rongrong, program director and principal singer for the Chinese American Arts Council.

The Peking Opera Romance of the Iron Bow was part of the Lincoln Center Out of Doors summer program, which annually showcases world-class music, dance and spoken word programs free for the public. This year's program runs from July 24 to Aug 11 and is sponsored by Bloomberg and Bank of America.