TORONTO—On March 30, company vice president Claude Marleau treated his mother, Claire, to a night out to enjoy Shen Yun Performing Arts’ third show at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.
“It was fantastic. It was also educational at the same time, which I thought was a pleasant surprise. It was beautiful,” Mr. Marleau said. “It was very emotional. It was fantastic.”
Founded in 2006 by elite Chinese artists who fled persecution, the New York-based Shen Yun is dedicated to reviving the beauty and virtues of pre-communist China.
Its performance takes the audience through China’s dynasties and legends, while also raising awareness for the ongoing human rights challenges in present-day China.
“It was so fantastic. I’ve seen plays and plays all over the world, but nothing like this. It’s unbelievable,” she expressed. “They did a good job.”
She will be telling all her friends and family that, “If you want to see something extra pleasant, please go to Toronto and see. Shen Yun. I’ve been watching [the advertisements] on TV every day from my apartment.”
According to the company’s website, Shen Yun’s orchestra is the first in the world to permanently combine ancient Chinese and Western instruments.
“I thought they did a good job of blending it all in together,” he said. “It still felt authentic, it really did.”
Summing up his evening, Mr. Marleau would say Shen Yun’s “choreography is beautiful and you just get lost in the whole moment of it. It was really something special.”
“You’re in a trance just watching everything. I’m a crybaby,” Mrs. Marleau added.
