LOS ANGELES—Having played distinguished hosts to Hollywood’s Annual Academy Awards 24 times in the 20th century, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion provided the perfect setting for Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company on Saturday, Jan. 14. The grand stairways and crystal chandeliers evoked a sense of elegance and beauty as a lovely setting for the show. Shen Yun entertained a sold-out audience with the rich beauty and regal style of China’s long history.
“Ah, magnificent,” exclaimed Robert Cash, the manager of design firm Raul R. Rodriguez Design.
“What I enjoyed so much is not just the dances and scenery, but the colors and the combination of colors that is affecting me a great deal. The overall performances are wonderful.”
Shen Yun’s mission is to bring to life ancient China’s lost culture through dance, music, and song enabling the audience to grasp the richness of a 5,000-year-old civilization.
A talented team of graphic designers using state-of-the-art technology create unique and colorful backdrops, bringing heaven and earth together as one, the Shen Yun website explains.
“Beautiful, absolutely magnificent,” said Mr. Cash. “I loved the way they are flying through the background and then they appear on the back of the stage.”
Each season Shen Yun’s choreographers work tirelessly to create new dances to tell the stories of China’s myths and legends.
The choreography is “beautiful. It is graceful, powerful, and meaningful,” said Mr. Cash.
There are so many stories to appreciate in the evening’s performance, however Mr. Cash said, “The lotus dance [Lotus Leaves] was striking. All of it—every last piece—is beautiful.”
When asked what words he would use to describe Shen Yun to his friends he used “vibrant, colorful, educational, lyrical, visual, and lots of fun.”
“The costumes, the tone, the texture,” he said, commenting on the artistic elements he appreciated. “The use of color and the combination of the background and the dancers, and the music really create an impactful impression.”
Mr. Cash said the orchestra was “wonderful,” and that he “was pleased to see a lady conductor,” referring to conductor Ying Chen.
“The overall coordination of the orchestra with the dancers just makes it a pleasure to be here!”
Mr. Cash added, “A good friend of ours invited us and we are glad she did!”
Reporting by Gary Du and Derek Padula.
Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company will next perform in San Diego Jan 19–22.
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3WTKCEA4tE[/video]
