SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun Has a Special Meaning for Audience Member With Chinese Heritage

Mar 20, 2022

WORCHESTER, Mass.—The joy expressed by many audience members when, after many disappointments, they finally get to see New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts, is palpable. Tania West, a court interpreter, said that she and her husband Robert West, a consultant, had been trying for many years.

The pandemic still felt a little scary, but it was refreshing to be able go out, said Tania. “[It] was a symbol of freedom again—being back to normal.”

Shen Yun’s mission is to revive traditional Chinese dance and music. It showcases an orchestra that is unique in that it is comprised of both traditional Chinese and classical Western instruments.

Mrs. West believed it was important to revive China’s ancient culture.

“I’m Chinese too, my great grandfather is from Hong Kong. So it’s also a little bit of getting to know my own culture,” she said.

Mrs. West found the Shen Yun performance colorful and powerful. She was also impressed with Shen Yun’s 3D technology and stagecraft creating a seamless interaction between the actors on stage and the projection.

The backdrops transport audience members into the historical era that is being portrayed on stage, she said.

However, not only has Shen Yun been banned from performing in China, but the culture found in China today bears little resemblance to those in the country’s rich history, which has largely been destroyed by the Chinese communist regime.

Mrs. West was impressed by the courage displayed in a dance piece set in modern-day China, “Insanity During the End Days,” which depicts the persecution of the ancient Chinese spiritual practice, Falun Dafa.

Among the classical Chinese dance and ethnic dance pieces are solo musicians, and vocalist performances.

“You appreciated the quality of the soprano. It was fantastic. I mean … you get goosebumps with her,” Mrs. West explained.

The soprano sings in the bel-canto technique in Chinese with English translation projected on the backdrop.

Mr. West also has a deep appreciation for music and was impressed by Shen Yun’s musicians. He was particularly fascinated by the bassoon.

“The music is really interesting. And it’s actually not as different as I would have imagined. … The use of the bassoon—I learned in Chinese culture always has a humorous tone to it. And I see that in the Chinese music, this music—it’s used very much in the same way. In this music, the bassoon is used more melodically, to carry the melody—so that is very interesting to me.”

“Another thing about the music is that it’s very punctuated, so it’s very strict in terms of tempo and timing. And I understand that maybe this is a special case because you need that punctuation in order to coordinate with the dancers. And the precision is really amazing between this tempo and hitting certain markers in the music and what you see visually onstage. It’s very, very well coordinated,” Mr. West said.

Reporting by Yawen Hung and Diane Cordemans.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.