MISSISSAUGA, Ontario—Sue McFadden, Mississauga City Councilor, was amazed as she experienced Shen Yun Performing Arts for the first time during the March 23 matinee, leaving her nearly speechless at the artistry and innovation.
“I was just in awe watching it,” she said at the Living Arts Centre after the performance, adding that the precision and athleticism of the dancers had her going “holy mackerel!” in her mind. “It was amazing.”
New York-based Shen Yun is the world’s top classical Chinese dance company, renowned for revitalizing the ancient art form.
“It just brought me almost to tears because it was so beautifully done without words—no words spoken and that’s what was so amazing,” Ms. McFadden said.
There were a few tearful moments in the show, she added, such as certain love stories with characters who showed devotion against all odds.
“It shows when two people do really love each other, it works out,” she said. “Oh, the power of love is amazing, you know, and the fact that they got back together just kind of brought me to tears.”
“You can’t bring people down when they have that commitment and compassion to succeed. And that’s what that showed me for sure,” she said. “I think that that’s what some people forget, is that you can’t take someone’s soul away.”
Ms. McFadden could relate to the stories, as she tries to bring her commitment to traditional values in her own work.
“We need integrity again. We need values again. We need family again. And I think we’ve lost that over the last few years. And I’m a true believer in that,” she said.
“It’s bringing back that whole faith and integrity and family. It brings it all back full circle. And I think this is appropriate at this time for everybody to see this show,” she said. “I would recommend it to anybody. It’s beautiful. It’s absolutely beautiful.”
