TORONTO—Three artists of very different backgrounds converged on one very unique stage performance—of the classical Chinese dance variety—at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre opening day on March 29.
But all three drew markedly universal insights from the colors, chill-inducing sounds, and intense energy of Shen Yun Performing Arts, the company that’s been piquing curiosity as it crisscrosses the globe on a mission to revitalize ancient culture.
New York-based Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance company, with a mission to show audiences “China before communism.”
When a concert pianist from Hong Kong, a local rap music artist, and a fashion model who once graced Vogue magazine all saw the show this afternoon, they spoke to The Epoch Times at the theater from their respective standpoints.
“I think this show is very important,” he said. “We know that a lot of ethnic minorities are being persecuted. So the dance really brings together the unity of different ethnic communities who are also under persecution by the Chinese communist regime.”
In 2019, Mr. Choi was shocked by the 2 million demonstrators in the streets of Hong Kong, and he began an artistic mission of his own—perhaps that’s one reason Shen Yun stands out in his eyes.
Shen Yun itself was built on the idea of restoring China’s traditional heritage, a heritage that fell under the gun during the Chinese Communist Party’s Cultural Revolution.
“With religious practice and spiritual practice, one can be able to see the truth despite the man was blinded by the Chinese communist regime,” Mr. Choi said.
Toronto rap artist Jay Johnson (promoted as 2Jays) was impressed by Shen Yun’s innovative visual effects, particularly the 3D, digitally animated backdrop that seamlessly integrates with the dancers onstage—depicting everything from castles in the clouds to idyllic Chinese landscapes to cataclysmic thunder storms on Earth.
“I like how there’s angels,” he said. “I like how it mentions God.”
For fashion model Anna Dulaeva, the experience of Shen Yun was more meditative, described by her as “pure magic.”
The show, which opens with a cloud-filled scene of heaven that bursts forth, engulfing the audience in mist the second the curtains open, excels at transporting theatergoers into a higher, brighter setting.
Ms. Dulaeva also loved the digital backdrop and audio-visual effects. As a whole, it all came together as an “awesome” experience that was both “heavenly“ and ”spiritual at the same time” and left her in tears.
“I feel like we’re all here just enjoying the moment together. It’s almost like a meditation,” she said. “You come here and you experience this magic, like forget about your worries and stuff.”
Then she added, “It’s nothing like I’ve seen before.”
