WORCESTER, Mass.—“I felt the energy, electrifying energy ... and I felt very awakened,” Suzi Williams said after watching Shen Yun Performing Arts with Richard Lemerise at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, Massachusetts, on March 29.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts is a world-premier classical Chinese dance company. Through dance, live orchestra, and an animated backdrop, Shen Yun presents the beauty and divinely-inspired spirit of traditional Chinese culture around the world.
Ms. Williams, who works for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, was thoroughly intrigued by the performance. “It was wonderful. It was fantastic,” she said. “People must see it. It was inspiring and spiritual.”
Mr. Lemerise said, “I am a commercial truck driver. I’m not really into ballet or performances. But [Shen Yun] was very entertaining, informative. It was enjoyable.”
Ms. Williams added, “He wanted to always come, so I bought him tickets for his birthday.”
The pair expressed appreciation for the spirituality and culture of the show.
“I think it’s important, spirituality is not just one culture, it’s multiple cultures, so it’s really nice to understand other people’s cultures. We’re very common, we are similar,” Ms. Williams said.
Zhuan Falun is the main text of Falun Gong, an ancient mind-body practice rooted in the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Shen Yun’s dance drama tells the story of courage and belief in today’s China, where Falun Gong practitioners counter an ongoing persecution.
“I think freedom of speech is really important, and that people shouldn’t be persecuted for their beliefs,” Ms. Williams said. “It still hurts my heart to see that happening ... It’s important for us to support people who are having that happen for their beliefs. It’s been happening for ages, for my religion as well. So we have to speak out and share and not have people take that away from us.”
“I felt very awakened,” she added. “I’m Catholic and it’s Easter time. It spoke to me that way—the Creator, God—so I was like, wow, this is great!”
Ms. Williams said, “And it gives you hope for the future because people are staying steadfast to their beliefs, and they’re good beliefs to have. How can people not remember compassion, and to be spiritual and hopeful. I think the world needs that now!”
