Through classical Chinese dance and live music, Shen Yun Performing Arts takes audiences on a journey through 5,000 years of the traditional culture of China before communism.
“What’s particularly impressive is some of the men’s routines where they do those very high jumps and twists and turns,” said Nick Freeman, a business owner. “It’s almost a combination of ballet, dance, and gymnastics, so very impressive.”
Reka Nagy-Miticzky, a dancer, commended the performers.
“Technically unbelievable. I can’t believe their stamina, how perfectly they executed everything,” she said. “From a performer’s standpoint, I found it incredibly inspiring and very, very impressive.”
“It’s really magical to watch,” she said.
For thousands of years, classical Chinese dance has been used to express themes such as virtue, justice, and respect for the heavens. It’s one of the most expressive art forms in the world.
Audience members said they were touched by the spiritual depth of the performance.
“I think in schools and universities we’re only really taught about the more modern or 20th century China, which obviously introduces the themes of communism into our understanding in the modern day,” said Jonny Tudor, a partner for a financial services firm. “So to see the imperial and more spiritual side of China was definitely a lesson and an interesting one.”
Mr. Freeman said he was impressed by the way the themes of divinity came through in the performance.
“I think the representation of divinity and the divine and the origin of Chinese culture 5,000 years ago, and the way it comes over, I think is very clever and I think it’s been carefully thought through and very well choreographed,” he said.
Mudama Murad, a business owner, said, “It’s just a mixture of theater and the movie together. It’s something unique. That’s why it’s just fascinating. And every year it’s getting better and better.”
