WORCESTER, Mass.—Shen Yun Performing Arts performed to a full house on Friday evening at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts. Among the audience was Suzan Edwards from Northampton, Mass., and Richard Clarke from Amherst, Mass.
Ms. Edwards is an astronomy professor at Smith College. She said that the tickets were a gift from her sister-in-law, who is from Shanghai and currently lives in North Carolina. Shen Yun will be stopping in Raleigh, N.C., Feb. 7–8, where her sister-in-law plans to attend.
According to Shen Yun’s website, the company was started by overseas Chinese in New York in 2006. By 2009, Shen Yun had grown to three performance companies and orchestras touring the world simultaneously.
Ms. Edwards said, “You can’t possibly think about missing it. It is just extraordinary. One of the most energetic and beautiful dancing I’ve ever seen. The history of China is being transmitted in just a magnificent way. I’m absolutely thrilled.”
Mr. Clarke, a writer, called Shen Yun a “marvelous spectacle.” Being interested in dance all of his life, he was impressed with the clarity of what Shen Yun was doing, and their coordination. “It’s just a magnificent experience,” he said.
When asked what she took away from Chinese culture, Suzan Edwards said, “I would say the richness of it—the absolute richness and the depth of feeling and character of the people. I really enjoyed it.”
Shen Yun will be in Providence, R.I., on Jan. 19, 2012, at the Providence Performing Arts Center and in Boston Jan. 20–22 for four shows at the Boston Opera House. New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
