PURCHASE, N.Y.—As the Chinese New Year approaches, last year’s animal symbol (the Rat) is packing up to leave, the Ox is preparing to take its place and people are eagerly coming together to experience Divine Performing Arts’ Chinese New Year Spectacular. On Friday, January 23 at Purchase College’s Performing Arts Center, we spoke with audience members who found the performance exciting, beautiful, and peaceful.
“I enjoyed the show, enjoyed the culture,” said Mrs. Forte. “I have learned a lot. I have learned about different areas in China and the dance – it’s beautiful.” On a scale of 1-5, Mrs. Forte would give it a 10, she said.
A marketing consultant from New Zealand who now lives in New York found the show “interesting.” He favored the dances done by the female cast because of the “colors of the costumes, their expressions, and the making of the flowers.”
In The Udumbara’s Bloom, bejeweled dancers take inspiration from the Buddhist Dunhuang caves of Western China as well as Indian dance in a sumptuous display of reverent beauty.
Mr. Viera escorted his wife, Mrs. Forte. She works in investments and was the one to find out about the show. “She purchased tickets. It’s quite exciting” he said.
The couple has traveled in Asia since Mrs. Forte has companies in Beijing and Shanghai. Mr. Viera said “I didn’t see anything this extravagant when I travelled through Asia or ever on TV.” He said he thought a show like this one must be rare.
“I think one of the major differences,” he said, “is that it takes you through centuries of civilisations - Chinese civilisations and various cultures, through centuries of cultures. So it started off with various dynasties and it continues to show you various pieces of the country which is quite colorful and quite entertaining. So the dancing is quite entertaining. Very, very colorful. Both the men and the women are doing an outstanding job and it is amazing that they are New York graduates.”
Ultimately, Mr. Viera was impressed that he learned so much from the dances, especially since he’s seen quite a lot of shows, he told us.
Mrs. Forte said that her views of China remain positive. “No, I have always had a fondness for China, the culture. I have always found it to be very fascinating. I think they - the way they live - there is a peacefulness about it.”
Please see http://www.DivinePerformingArts.org for more information.
