杨兰春，豫剧的杰出编剧与导演，他的人生旅程如同一部丰富多彩的戏曲史。1938年，他踏上了工作的道路，而1943年，他加入了八路军，在1945年的抗日战争中，随大军南下到达河南。他在这里转业，并担任过洛阳县、市、专区文工团（队）长。在中央戏剧学院歌剧系学习期间，与田川、胡沙等合作改编了《小二黑结婚》，这部作品至今仍是中国歌剧舞剧院的宝贵财富。
学习结束后，杨兰春成为河南省歌剧团的编剧兼导演。在1956年起，他不仅担任河南豫剧院艺术市副主任和豫剧三团团长，还作为河南省文化局核心小组成员，为戏曲事业贡献自己的力量。他曾是四届全国代表大会代表，并连续当选为第十二、三次全国代表大会代表。杨兰春既是一位创作家又是一位卓越的导演者，在现代戏曲领域尤其突出，其作品对戏曲发展产生了深远影响。
他的代表作《朝阳沟》三度入京表演，1964年的元旦，它赢得了党和国家领导人的高度赞赏。此外，《朝阳沟》还被广泛出版并拍摄成电影，使其名声远播，被誉为“《朝阳沟》的缔造者”。在40余年的艺术实践中，杨兰春不仅继承传统，更融入新时代导演艺术，最终形成独树一帜的艺术风格。
他曾担任中国戏剧家协会主席、中国戲曲现代研究会常务理事、中国戲劇文学学会干事，以及河南省代表等职位，为中华民族培养了一批优秀的人才。2009年，由于健康原因逝世，但他的遗产依然激励着后人继续前行。Yang Lan Chun, a renowned playwright and director of Henan Opera (also known as Yuju), has left an indelible mark on the history of Chinese theater. Born in 1920, he began his career in 1938 and joined the Eighth Route Army in 1943. During the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, he followed the army south to Henan Province and later became a civilian after demobilization.
As an artist, Yang was not only a creative force but also an accomplished director who made significant contributions to modern drama. His masterpiece "Changyanggou" was performed three times in Beijing and received high praise from top leaders on New Year's Day in 1964. The work has been published numerous times by major publishing houses such as People's Literature Publishing House, Beijing Publishing House, Music Publishing House, and Henan People's Publishing House.
It has also been adapted into films and recordings that have spread its fame far beyond China. Yang is widely regarded as the creator of "Changyanggou." Over four decades of artistic practice, Yang combined traditional elements with modern directing techniques to forge his own unique style.
Throughout his life, Yang held various leadership positions within China's theater community including Chairman of the Chinese Dramatists Association (CDA), Vice-Chairman of China Drama Research Society (CDRS), Secretary-General of Chinese Drama Literature Association (CDLA) for more than ten years; member or alternate member for several sessions at both provincial and national levels; Member Board Director General Affairs Office CDA etc., nurturing generations of talented artists for our nation. He passed away peacefully at age 89 due to illness on June 2nd ,2009 leaving behind a legacy that continues inspire future generations
