PORTLAND, Ore.—Shen Yun gave its second of three evening performances at Portland’s Keller Auditorium on April 2. David Lever, director of Kjus outdoor apparel, appreciated the high-caliber performance.
“It’s been quite good,” he said. “Being able to [see] the traditional dances revitalized and expressed in the way they are conducting their performances is quite amazing.”
“The precision in the dance, the facial expressions, just the whole storytelling is amazing,” he added.
“Through the universal language of music and dance, 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 Shen Yun’s website. “Its stunning beauty and tremendous energy leave audiences uplifted and inspired.”
Mr. Lever described Shen Yun as “flawless” and “spot on.” “Obviously they care about their craft and they executive it extremely well,” he said.
He also said he was impressed by the long, rich tradition of the 5,000-year-old Chinese culture.
Humanity’s Treasure
Nessie Williams, a business administer and sculptor, also attended the evening’s performance.
“I loved the colors in the dancing, especially when the women danced,” she said.
“Oh, I love classical Chinese history,” Ms. Williams added. “You see the classical dance that pretty much began to be taken out of the Chinese culture under Mao.”
“For 5,000 years divine culture flourished in the land of China. Humanity’s treasure was nearly lost, but through breathtaking music and dance, Shen Yun is bringing back this glorious culture,” Shen Yun’s website states.
Shen Yun draws top artists from around the world. With a passion for the classical arts, they join Shen Yun in its mission to revive the ancient culture that was once almost lost due to the destruction wrought upon China by communist regimes.
“I know that [persecution] has been going on for a long time in China, and I think this is an interesting venue to present that reality in China because it’s in a creative way,” she said.
‘Absolutely Loving It’
Also in attendance at the Keller Auditorium was Vincent Morgan, an aerospace engineer. Mr. Morgan said he knew from the start that experiencing Shen Yun was something that simply had to happen.
“I was given one of the fliers. I looked over the flier and knew I had to come to the show. That night I purchased tickets, and here I am. I am absolutely loving it,” he said.
“A Shen Yun performance features the world’s foremost classically trained dancers, a unique orchestra blending East and West, and dazzling animated backdrops—together creating one spectacular performance,” the website states.
“The backdrop is absolutely phenomenal. The way the actors jump off the stage and fly up ... it’s just amazing,” Mr. Vincent said.
He concluded that every aspect of the performance was nothing short of stunning. “The costumes, the synchronization of all the performers, is just amazing,” he said. “I am really happy.”
Reporting by Fany Qiu, Echo Liu, and Nataly Teplitsky
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
