PHILADELPHIA—“Slow and peaceful, lively, powerful, thrilling, gentle, delicate.”
This is how Ms. Zhang, a science researcher from Mainland China, now working in the United States, described Shen Yun Performing Arts’ diverse set of dances.
New York-based Shen Yun performed at The Merriam Theater on Saturday evening, Jan. 7, ending with a standing ovation, three curtain calls, and an encore for one of the vocalists.
Formed in 2006, Shen Yun has three equally large companies criss-crossing the world simultaneously with one mission, says its website to revive 5,000 years of Chinese culture after communist rule in China threatened its existence.
“They portrayed Chinese culture very well,” said Ms. Zhang. “It’s my first time seeing such an authentic Chinese show.”
Shen Yun’s performances, says its website, have a core of classical Chinese dance and Chinese ethnic and folk dance, along with a digital backdrop, award-winning vocalists, and an orchestra that melds Eastern instruments like the 4,000 year old erhu–a two-stringed Chinese violin–with a Western classical base.
“From an arts perspective, it was exemplary,” said Ms. Zhang. “I feel very pleased. The performers put their all into the performance. The choreography was very good.”
Ancient Chinese culture, explains Shen Yun’s website, has a deep spiritual core of values such as benevolence, honor, and sincerity, as well as a reverence for the gods and the heavens.
“Shen Yun dances recount ancient myths, bygone heroes, or celestial paradises,” says its website. “Whether set in the past or in contemporary China, every dance embodies traditional Chinese values.”
“These traditional aspects were very good,” said Ms. Zhang, who said she would recommend the show to others. “It was also very alluring. It wasn’t old fashioned [boring], although it is traditional culture. It was very lively and lighthearted. It’s very easy for young people to enjoy.”
Reporting by NTD Television and Zack Stieber.
Shen Yun has three companies touring the world. Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company will be at The Merriam Theater, in Philadelphia for one more performance, then next in New York from Jan. 11 to 15.
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3WTKCEA4tE[/video]
