DAYTON, Ohio—“I looked over at [my wife] and I said, “It’s not a love story,’” Bo Gunlock said. He was talking about the song lyrics he was hearing from Shen Yun Performing Arts vocalists. “Our songs are less meaningful,” he said.
“It was a deeper meaning,” Mary Gunlock said.
The couple had just seen the traditional Chinese music and dance performance at Dayton’s Mead Theatre, on Feb. 26.
“Through the universal language of music and dance, Shen Yun weaves a wondrous tapestry of heavenly realms, ancient legends, and modern heroic tales, taking you on a journey through 5,000 years of Chinese culture,” according to the New York-based company’s website.
In bringing back the culture of ancient China through award-winning vocalists and classical Chinese dance, Shen Yun is bringing back the culture’s morale values as well. The heart of these values is the idea of harmony between heaven and earth.
“Much deeper meaning than we’re used to [hearing],” continued Mr. Gunlock, vice president of Asset Management, a company which develops shopping centers and retail projects.
“Not different from what we believe,” said Mrs. Gunlock, also a realtor.
“Actually, the words were very similar to what we believe” spiritually, Mr. Gunlock said.
It was about the grandest topics. Shen Yun was about “life and death,” Mrs. Gunlock said.
“Life and where we come from,” Mr. Gunlock said simultaneously.
“More serious (than love songs), ” Mrs. Gunlock said.
“Very well done. Singing, amazing—the soprano, she was beautiful. I loved the sentiment of the words to the songs that she’s singing,” Mrs. Gunlock said.
She was happy for the unique perspective.
“Obviously, very cultural and something that we don’t get exposed to very often,” Mrs. Gunlock said.
Reporting by Ying Wan and Sharon Kilarski
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.
The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
