COSTA MESA, Calif.—Mr. and Mrs. Kubalik attended Shen Yun Performing Arts’ evening production at Segerstrom Center for the Arts on March 16.

Mr. Kubalik is manager of environment health and safety for B. Braun Medical Inc. He is also a longtime member of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

“I’ve lived in Orange County for 25 years,” he said, “and I think it’s a great institution [Segerstrom Center for the Arts]. To bring this here is just outstanding.”

A classically trained ballet dancer, Mrs. Kubalik, trained at the Zimbabwe branch of the London-based Royal Academy of Ballet.

She is also a director at a large international internet company.

Never having seen classical Chinese dance, Mrs. Kubalik’s first impression was that Shen Yun dancers are amazing.

She noticed that, unlike ballet, there is no prima ballerina. “They’re all beautifully trained— It’s amazing!”

According to the Shen Yun website, Chinese dance is “Known for its incredible flips and spins, and its gentle elegance,” and being “one of the most rigorous and expressive art forms in the world.”

“I just love it,” she continued, “and I love the fact that they have the two announcers, the bilingual announcers, it’s very, very clever. It really brings it together, because otherwise I’d be a total foreigner, so it really makes me feel welcomed to come.”

Each Shen Yun performance is hosted by two bilingual emcees, who guide the audience on their journey into each enchanting and magical vignette.

“My favorite part is the whole backdrop,” she added, “when the people jump down and then they take off in animated forms—it’s genius, I love it!”

Shen Yun features a one-of-a-kind digitally animated backdrop. Blending projection technology with ancient culture, Shen Yun’s animated backdrop presents scenes from celestial palaces to Tang Dynasty pavilions, giving audiences insight into China’s long history. The backdrop aids in the storytelling, allowing performers to seemingly move from stage to screen.

Spirituality

Mrs. Kubalik was not surprised to see the spirituality that is woven into the stories from ancient China.

“The spirituality for me would be just part of it because that’s what I think of Chinese [culture],”
she said.

New York-based Shen Yun, a non-profit organization, was established by a group of leading classical Chinese artists with a wish to revive China’s divinely inspired culture.

Spirituality is an important aspect of life for Mr. Kubalik.

“Actually, I really liked the spirituality,” he said. “What I hate to see is the spirituality in many countries—China, all around the world—being depressed.”

“I think this one [Shen Yun] brought it out,” he added. “I’m glad they did, because that’s the foundation all this [culture] is based on, irrespective of whether it’s the art, or the government. That [spirituality] was there long before they had a government like this.”

“To me, the spirituality of the ancients to the modern,” Mr. Kubalik continued, “it’s a link, and thank God they linked that.”

“Throughout history almost every culture looked toward the divine for inspiration. Art was meant to uplift, bringing joy to both the people who created and experienced it,” the Shen Yun website states. “Today, Shen Yun’s artists—dancers, musicians, choreographers, composers, and the entire team—follow this noble tradition.”

In closing, Mr. and Mrs. Kubalik both showed their appreciation for the Shen Yun Performing Arts Symphony Orchestra.

“Last but not least, the orchestra is exquisite,” said Mr. Kubalik. He noticed a seamless interaction between the dancers and music.

“I love the way they interact; and the music ... it’s almost like the dancers are playing the music.”

Mrs. Kubalik agreed. “It was fabulous when they pulled out all the instruments; it was really good. I think it was beautifully done.”

Each Shen Yun performance is accompanied by the Shen Yun Performing Arts Orchestra. The blending of instruments from the East and West produces an enchanting and refreshingly different experience for the heart and soul.

Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company closed its 5 day long Costa Mesa run on the evening of March 16.

Orange County loved Shen Yun, as all seven of its performances played to sold-out houses.

Reporting by Albert Roman and Cheryl Casati

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006