SEATTLE—Actress Amber Cantu, the sixth-generation granddaughter of Chief Seattle, and her husband Arnoldo, a construction worker, finally purchased tickets to see Shen Yun Performing Arts at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall on April 5, after years of wanting to attend. The performance did not disappoint.
“It’s very theatrical, very beautiful,” Mr. Cantu exclaimed. “The beautiful scenes ... the backdrop—that’s beautiful.”
The couple was moved by the deep emotions conveyed through each of Shen Yun’s programs.
According to the company’s website, the classical Chinese dance we see in China today is heavily mixed with military and modern dance styles. Only at Shen Yun can you find it performed in its purest form—the way it was originally passed down through the generations.
Mrs. Cantu said, “That mission is very important, because I believe we can all learn from Chinese culture and the beauty it brings.”
Mr. Cantu, too, appreciated Shen Yun’s many story-based dances, which conveyed traditional moral values and emphasized the importance of kindness and being a good person.
“It was very touching how in one of the scenes ... where they robbed the blind man and the others came to help him and make him feel better—that’s what I got out of that. It was pretty nice,” he said.
The couple will definitely be recommending Shen Yun to all their friends. “People have to come and see this. I’m going to say this is a must-see experience,” Mrs. Cantu said.
“This was a very brave performance because [it’s] bringing the truths of the culture and what people are facing today in China, and saying, ‘We want to bring our expression to the stage and let the world know what we’re facing as a nation but also we’re still here, we’re still fighting, and we’re still believing,’” she said.
Mr. Cantu thought Shen Yun is much needed.
“The performers are much needed. They’re wanted, they’re needed, and they’re loved,” he said.
