BEAVER CREEK, Colo.—Shen Yun Performing Arts opened up a world of culture to Wendy McNulty at Sunday’s matinee at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek.
“It was very telling of China’s incredible history,” said ranch owner Mrs. McNulty. “They were eminently civilized people—you can tell that by the culture, the dance, and music that we’ve seen this evening.”
Mrs. McNulty, a rancher in Aspen, has played a large role in preserving and promoting land conversation in her city and state.
She was especially drawn by the depth of China’s history. “It also brings to mind what a closed society they’ve had for a very long time, because most of us haven’t been exposed to that. And it was wonderful to see them performing with such talent,” she said.
New York-based Shen Yun presents traditional Chinese values through performing arts like classical Chinese dance and an orchestra blending East and West.
“I feel it’s somewhat poignant that this group is trying to reach out to us,” Mrs. McNulty said. “Obviously, they’re not allowed to play in their own country—which I thought that China had freed up a little bit; obviously it hasn’t.”
Shen Yun was established in 2006 by a group of artists around the world with the mission of reviving 5,000 years of Chinese culture, and to date, it has not been allowed to perform in China.
Through a Shen Yun performance, “Principles such as benevolence and justice, propriety and wisdom, respect for the heavens, and divine retribution, all come to life, washing over the audience,” reads its website.
“I’ve always had a fascination of that culture,” Mrs. McNulty concluded. “[Shen Yun is] very unique and interesting, and definitely, I think something people would enjoy.”
Reporting by Jim Fogarty and Catherine Yang
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
