While other theaters are cooling down a bit after a recent spate of art festivals, the Olympic Park is limbering up for an exciting series of upcoming performances, including one from director Zhang Yimou. Way back in 1997, Zhang premiered his opera Turandot in Florence – but following his success in directing the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Games, another performance of Turandot has been slated for October 6-7 at the Bird’s Nest.

Speaking of Zhang Yimou, the director says he has selected man-of-the-moment Xiao Shenyang (“Little Shenyang,” see photo above) to play a role in his upcoming thriller, Amazing Tales: Three Guns (三枪拍案惊奇), which should be on screens by the end of the year. Since early this year, this slim, tall comedian with smiling eyes has appeared on the cover of almost every major Chinese publication.

Xiao Shenyang became famous practically overnight after his performance in the CCTV Spring Festival Gala. Since then, he’s gained a loyal following for his teasing banter, always delivered with his signature northeast accent – as well as his blisteringly funny celebrity impersonations in the “two-person act” (er ren zhuan) comedy format.

During Xiao Shenyang’s recent tour around China, tickets to his show sold for up to RMB 980 in Beijing, but having cash didn’t make it any easier to get your hands on a pair. Although a few people think of him as a tasteless, creepy gender-bender, the public still voted his performance the most popular xiaopin (comedy skit) in China this year.

In the hottest month in Beijing, plenty of great shows are coming to the stage. Yang Liping’s The Sound Of Yunnan (Jun 30-Jul 5), which sets minority culture and religion to a soundtrack of unusual instruments, is highly anticipated. If you were shocked by avant-garde director Meng Jinghui’s drama, Rhinoceros In Love, you might be interested in seeing his newest work, The Murder in Sky Garden (空中花园谋杀案), now playing at his private Fengchao Theater. Or, if you like your stage plays serious, find out the truth of The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial at the Capital Theater on July 2-12.

With July 1 marking the 89th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party, “red” classic concerts and operas will dominate many theaters for much of the month. If you’re looking for an alternative, several acclaimed foreign orchestras have Beijing tour stops coming up, including Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (Jul 19) and the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra (Jul 4-5). Forbidden City Concert Hall opens its summer concert series, Gateway to Music, on July 10. The series (www.fcchbj.com) runs through August.