BOSTON—Universally-renowned classical Chinese dance and music company, Shen Yun Performing Arts, drew software engineers and their friends to the Boston Opera House over different days.
Miguel Sanchez, a software engineer attended Jan. 20 with friends Rebecca Stahl, an editor, and Barbara Tyler who worked in the medical field. Another friend, also an engineer, were all seeing the New York-based Shen Yun for the first time.
Shen Yun’s performances feature classical Chinese dance, and also China’s numerous ethnic and folk dance styles that Ms. Tyler, who took ballet as a child, truly appreciated.
“One of the things I picked up on … especially that dance with the fans—how precise they were,” she said of the dance titled Lotus Leaves. “Precise, but at the same time there’s a beautiful flow to everything too and a delicateness.”
Mr. Sanchez loved the amazing kaleidoscope of radiant colors reflecting the beauty of handmade costumes that spanned dynasties and ethnic traditions.
Projected behind the dancers, hi-tech images lift the stage and set it amidst blossoming landscapes, deep forests, Mongolian prairies, or celestial paradises, the company website says.
Ms. Stahl thought the animated backdrops were “really interesting—a nice addition,” she said.
“It was really creative how [Shen Yun] integrated that into the show. It’s really good,” said Mr. Sanchez.
In concluding, he added: “It gives you a good feeling … [an appreciation for] the breadth of the culture. It’s really good.”
‘It was beautiful’
Enjoying the Shen Yun presentation on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 22, was Jennifer Murphy, an executive administrator and Lew Forni, a software engineer.
“I thought it was really nice. I enjoyed the music, the dance, the narration was great. I enjoyed it all,” said Mr. Forni.
Ms. Murphy also loved the show.
“I loved the costumes the music, the dancing, it was beautiful,” she said.
Both had also never before experienced the presentation that has aims to revive traditional Chinese culture with glimpses of its different aspects of a divinely imparted heritage.
Ms. Murphy said she noted Buddhist aspects depicted by Shen Yun which she also liked.
“I think in Western culture we still have a belief of what could possibly be up there; we don’t really know. I think the Chinese culture is more [about] the different Gods,” she said.
Mr. Forni touched on the effects of the backdrops and how performers interacted between the stage and projected screen “that was fantastic,” he said.
Shen Yun is known for its interactive backdrop that seems to bring the dancers on stage back and forth from heaven.
Reporting by Michael Tsang and Raiatea Tahana-Reese.
Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company will next perform at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta, through Jan. 29.
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
