Shen Yun impressed audiences in Venice, Florida, bringing four performances on March 11 and 12. Theatergoers said the performance is one of a kind.
The New York-based company tours the world with new performances every year. They perform Chinese classical dance with a live orchestra and animated backdrop.
Aldo Zucaro, former chairman and CEO of Old Republic International Corporation, said Shen Yun was “awesome.”
“The excitement, the strength of the people, the dancing. I like the combination of live performance with the background, the way it’s integrated together is just awesome, as they say.”
“I like it very much, it’s the first time that I saw something like this,” said Martin Schulz, who is a former real estate company owner. “It’s not a play, it’s a show, dancing, and I like it very much. But they also express their feelings and the history, so I like it very much.”
“Very colorful, very educational, very upbeat, but has this reality in between the lines,” said Ann Schulz, a broker associate at Coldwell Banker Sunstar Realty.
Audiences were fascinated by Shen Yun’s aim to revive the 5,000 years of Chinese culture prior to the communist takeover.
“Oh, my goodness, I don’t know why we can’t go back to that,” Zucaro said. “It was so much [more] beautiful, so much more people-oriented than what is in China today. It’s really a shame to see a beautiful culture being subjugated to the communists. That’s not good.”
“It’s tragic what communism has done. Unfortunately, too many people don’t see the dangers of it,” said Artist Marian Talese. “And I thought it was very brave of you to bring this message, especially in this time, and we need it so badly.”
“Coming today, and sitting in this audience, and listening to your messages and seeing these beautiful people dance, I was in another world and I was so happy to be in this world,” she added.
“It’s just beautiful that you’re bringing the awareness because we’re all so lucky here that we don’t have so much persecution and rules, but we are moving in that direction, so it’s a wake-up call for everybody,” Schulz said.
Some said there was a spiritual presence throughout the performance and noted that the values are universal.
“A godly presence. And I think everyone should look toward God for help and for guidance and to spread His love. And you can see that in the show,” said Victor Berger, who is a branch Manager at Trustco Bank.
Ryan Enders, a general surgeon at North Oaks, said he recognized the principles shared in the performance: “Even religious and moral values seem to be shared amongst multiple cultures, multiple faiths, throughout the entire world.”
“The idea of just respect and caring for others, and the sanctity of life, those are things that are shared among cultures all over the world. So I definitely see that in the history and the culture that was shown today. And it’s something that was actually very familiar to me and very wholesome. So I enjoyed it very much,” he added.
“Please use every cent you have to go see that show,” Zucaro said.
“Please go on, and I will come back. I don’t know where I’ll come back, but I will come back. And I will spread the word. Everyone needs to see this show,” Talese said. “It’s a precious jewel.”
Shen Yun is touring around the world until May.
NTD News Venice, Florida
