AUGUSTA, Ga.—The audience at the William B. Bell Auditorium came in minks and tuxedos, t-shirts, business suits, blue jeans and red satin sheaths. Children rested in their parents’ laps, and elders progressed slowly, some with canes and walkers. What they seemed to share was a heartfelt and enthusiastic response to Shen Yun Performing Arts when it visited Augusta again, on Jan. 31.
People shouted and whistled when calling for an encore from soprano Haolan Geng. The full house gave a standing ovation at the final curtain.
Jonathan Davis, an associate producer and reporter for NBC 26, said, “I thought it was a wonderful show. I saw it last time— two years ago—it was a wonderful show and I had to come back and see it again.”
Mr. Davis is originally from Miami, and according to his profile on the NBC website, in college “was very active in the choir, drama program and also the communications department ... he is a motivational speaker, drama coach and dance instructor.”
He said he was moved by “The part when they weren’t allowed to worship or praise and how that tension, as they said, has been going on for decades … that part really touched me.” The dance called The Choice tells a contemporary story, in which “under Heaven’s watch, goodness ultimately triumphs,” according to the program.
Mr. Davis lauded the dancers and the choreography, saying it was “Wonderful! It is really exciting. It’s so engaging—It makes you want to get up and join it. Maybe one day I can do that. To see the variety, the dancing, the singing, the images to go along with it—just really brings you in and I think it is a really good idea to do this.” He smiled and spread his hands wide.
Mr. Davis is known for his wish to share “encouraging words with the lost and those in need,” according to his NBC biography. He “truly believes if he can pull out the best in a person and make them see who he sees then he has done his job.”
He said the dancers of the Shen Yun Touring Company were extraordinary. “I think they’re inspiring. Keep up the great work, and maybe one day I can do as great as they do.”
The projected backdrops struck him as an interesting innovation. “I have never see anyone else do this – this is a great idea for them to do it—it’s just a screen but it brings you in and makes it look like part of the stage.”
Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world.
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
