OGDEN, Utah—John Baughman, a retired physician of 38 years in internal medicine and critical care, liked the “very colorful costumes, the graceful movements, and the wonderful orchestral accompaniment.” He saw the matinee performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company at The Val A. Browning Center, on March 13.
“It all combined together to provide a very, very pleasant experience,” Dr. Baughman explained.
“Shen Yun weaves a wondrous tapestry of heavenly realms, ancient legends, and modern heroic tales, taking you on a journey through 5,000 years of Chinese culture,” states the company’s website.
It does so with story-based dancing and music, including classical Chinese dance, traditional folk and ethnic dance, orchestral music combing two great traditions of traditional West and East instruments, and opera-style vocal soloists.
He would not single out any particular area of the performance over another that he liked. “I found enjoyment in each piece,” he said.
The dance titled, Divine Mercy tells a story of good versus evil in China today—the communist regime’s persecution of Falun Gong, a spiritual practice. Falun Gong practices truth, compassion, and tolerance.
Dr. Baughman found a message in the performance. “I know that there is this intended message about the persecution of this group in China that’s being brought forth and I understand that message. I hear it,” he says.
“It causes me to have pity and concern for the people who undergo the persecution of that sort.”
He explained that the presentation of this persecution by Shen Yun was “done in an artistic fashion … that conveyed to the viewer the seriousness of it and the atrocity of it.”
Shen Yun cannot be seen in mainland China today, where traditional culture has been nearly lost. Yet Shen Yun has become an international phenomenon, bringing the wonders of ancient Chinese culture to millions across the globe.
Shen Yun is the premier classical dance company in the world. It is also known for its innovation in digital backdrops.
“With state-of-the-art graphics technology, Shen Yun’s digital-backdrop team creates vividly animated settings, extending the stage and transporting the audience to a world where heaven and earth are one,” according to the company’s website.
Dr. Baughman would recommend Shen Yun for the reasons he has already noted. “I’ve enjoyed it. It is very colorful and beautiful.”
And, “The dance movements were very interesting—how the technology was integrated with the dancing. The audio visual technology was [also] very good.”
With reporting by Youzhi Ma and Cat Rooney.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company is scheduled to perform at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, March 15–17. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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