INDIANAPOLIS—Shen Yun Performing Arts continued to amaze audience members for a second night as it took to the stage of Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University Wednesday evening, March 14.
New York-based Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company. The company’s unique story-based dances feature the lessons and values of 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture.
“We are delighted to be here!” enthused Mr. Gary Pruett. The mayor of Mitchell, Indiana, and his wife drove 80 miles to attend the world-renowned show. “It’s definitely worth the trip,” he said.
“It was just really beautiful,” agreed his wife, Mrs. Donna Pruett. The retired English professor explained that with her background as a singer, she admired Shen Yun’s vocalists and music. “I thought the music drove the story, and the dancers—it was just really beautiful. I just enjoyed all of it.”
She was moved by the performances such as The Choice which touch upon present-day events in China. “So very well told—I just think they did a wonderful job of telling their story.”
Mrs. Pruett found the performance to be educational, and was impressed to learn that many of the spins and moves Western audiences find familiar actually originated from classical Chinese dance. “It just was very well done, quite beautiful, a lot of use of hands, arms and feet in different positions to tell a story.”
The mayor expressed his admiration for the exquisite handmade costumes, “Oh man, I am going to talk about the color, just the lovely, lovely colors ... and my impression of the costumes. The costumes were something. Really, really something!”
Mr. Pruett said the artists’ expressions and the colors deeply resonated with him, and he would definitely recommend Shen Yun to his friends.
Mitchell, Indiana, is the birthplace of astronaut Gus Grissom, who flew on Liberty Bell 7, Gemini 3.
Reporting by Valerie Avore and Jeanmarie Lunsford
Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company will be at the Stranahan Theater in Toledo for two performances on March 17 and 18.
For more information, please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
