FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida—A diverse crowd came out this balmy Friday evening in Fort Lauderdale to the Au-Rene Theater, just one of the lovely theaters of the prestigious Broward Center for the Performing Arts, which skirts the verdant palm-tree lined banks of the dazzling New River.
The Broward Center is fondly referred to as the cultural “jewel in the crown” of Fort Lauderdale. It ranks 10th in the world in ticket sales for theaters. Broward Center consistently offers an exciting and eclectic array of artistic venues, of which Divine Performing Arts (DPA) is truly a one-of-a-kind contributor.
In its performances, DPA elaborates on and teaches about the enchantingly mystical qualities of the China of antiquity. Fort Lauderdale itself also has some mystical legends of its own. Revered by native American Indians, ancient folklore tells of how the New River somehow miraculously sprang forth through the cooperation of both swamp and ocean. All over town, homage is paid through use of the town’s original name, Himmarshee.
At Friday’s show, three or four members of a sixth-grade class who are learning Mandarin Chinese at a private school in Davie were treated to the DPA’s colorful, multi-faceted approach to learning about Chinese culture. They were accompanied by their families, and caught up with their teacher in the lobby afterward.
One of the families, the Morton family, who live in Miami, were chatting happily together as they posed for a family portrait. The children’s grandparents, the Grossmans, are visiting from Virginia, and were thrilled with the performance.
Mr. Morton is an attorney, and Mrs. Morton, who practices law as well, is the school’s PTA president. The twin daughters are 8. The eldest daughter, who studies Chinese, enthusiastically shared that her favorite sequence was “Welcoming Spring.” She adored the pink costumes, and said, “The dancers were so elegant!”
Ms. Otalbaro and Mr. Montana, who heard about the show through the Internet, expressed their unanimous praise of the show. Mr. Montana works in advertising in Fort Lauderdale. Ms. Otalbaro was born in Curacao (in fact, there were quite a few natives from the lovely West Indies isle in attendance, as well.) Both were in awe of the program, claiming that they had “never really seen anything quite like it.”
If you are in the Fort Lauderdale area, you still have the opportunity to share in this vital cultural experience. On Saturday, there are two shows: an afternoon matinee and an evening performance. Other opportunities to catch the show in Florida will be in Sarasota (Dec. 22-23), and the tour in Florida will culminate in Jacksonville (Dec. 26).
For more information please visit DivinePerformingArts.org
