SYRACUSE, N.Y.—Although the Chinese Communist Party has tried to destroy and distort Chinese culture for the past century, it couldn’t stop the people from sharing a culture that has been deeply embedded within.
“The messages are wonderful. I think they’re very culturally accurate. My parents escaped Communist China,” shared Rebecca Kohler, a banker and branch manager, after seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts.
Shen Yun is based in New York and its mission is to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. Shen Yun uses Chinese
literature, history, myth, and legend as inspiration for its production each season.
“I love the idea that you did the Journey to the West ... and, of course, the lovers with the bird bridge. Those are very, those are very old stories that I remember from my childhood,” Ms. Kohler said.
Shen Yun’s artists are trained in
classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world.
“It was beautiful, it was stunning. The men had powerful moves. I didn’t think men doing
ballet moves would be so spectacular. That was very impressive,” Ms. Kohler said.
With continuous rehearsals to pick out even the smallest flaws,
Shen Yun is able to give their best to the audience every time they step on stage.
“I’m amazed by the unison that all the performers do together. The precision and the accuracy and how they do it so artistically,” said Timothy Wilson, who works in electronics.
In one of Shen Yun’s dances, the story of Falun Gong practitioners being
persecuted for their faith is portrayed. Although Ms. Kohler was born in the U.S., she has a clear understanding of the atrocities that are occurring in present-day China.
“What was shown was actually a rather gentle version of what really happens,” she shared.
Shen Yun’s use of its
digital backdrop is patented. The versatility of technology allows the set to change scenes in the blink of an eye, giving the stage endless possibilities.
“We saw this when my children were very young, I want to say 10 years ago, and there’s a lot that’s changed. The technology has done amazing things. The way you’ve seamlessly built that into the scenery as well as the dance is just spectacular,” Ms. Kohler shared.
Shen Yun’s
singers are trained in bel canto technique and the digital backdrop provides a translation of the Chinese text being sung.
“The spiritual aspect is very interesting. I believe that everybody seeks a higher understanding and a purpose. And I think the soprano brought out some very interesting lyrics that is very universal for those who are spiritual,” Ms. Kohler said.
Reporting by Wei Yong and Maria Han.
