WASHINGTON—Traditional Chinese artistry enthralled Scott Chronister during the performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Kennedy Center Opera House on Jan. 10.
Mr. Chronister, who does technical support for the U.S. government, said, “I thought it was really interesting to see the traditional Chinese art forms, and all the allegory, and the stories.”
In terms of artistry, Mr. Chronister said, “It had a lot of forms of ballet and other acrobatics, and then some of the traditional Chinese instruments. It's very beautiful.”
Mr. Chronister said he was somewhat aware of the persecution of Chinese people of belief. For many years, the communist regime has persecuted and suppressed people who adhere to Falun Gong; many are murder by the human rights atrocity of forced organ harvesting. Many in America are not aware of the situation because the regime covers it up. Shen Yun brings the issue on stage to raise awareness.
“I think human rights are important around the world—everywhere. I think it's important to maintain tradition and understand the history of a country and its culture,” he said. “I think the stories were all very effective.”
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive “China before communism.” China traditionally has a very spiritual culture. “I think people's history and culture are very important to understand who they are. So it's very important to maintain that,” Mr. Chronister said.
‘A Great Combination of Beauty, Grace, and Athleticism’
Joe and Diane Jackins thoroughly enjoyed the Shen Yun performance. Mr. Jackins, a retired chief financial officer for a small company in the airline industry, said, “It's just a great combination of beauty and grace and athleticism. So it's just a beautiful show. I mean, it's just so unique. There's nothing else like it in the world, I don't think.“It's kind of enlightening,” he added. “It builds a foundation for our knowledge about the Chinese culture.”
Shen Yun emcees explain and introduce each piece in the performance, a journey through China's 5,000 year history, in both English and Chinese, which Mrs. Jackins, a retired bank supervisor for the Federal Reserve, appreciated.
“What's really nice about it is the explanation, when the two people come up and they talk about what you're going to see so you have an idea of what you're looking at. A lot of times you go to performances and it's just one after another. This is really nice. It's perfect,” she said.
She also liked the Shen Yun Orchestra that supports the dancers on stage from the orchestra pit. “This is perfect because we're sitting right up front [and it’s not blasting]. And it's great.” Listening to the live music, Mrs. Jackins said she felt a sense of “peace.”
“It’s really great. I spent some time overseas in the Pacific when I was growing up, and this just reminds me of growing up. So it was wonderful,” Mrs. Jackins said.
Mr. Jackins agreed. “I think the music adds so much to the show. It’s uplifting.”
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture before communism. Mr. Jackins said, “It's kind of enlightening. It builds a foundation for our knowledge about the Chinese culture.”
Mrs. Jackins liked how the performers could dramatize the story through movement. “The expressions that they have with their hands and everything helps you follow along with the story.”
“I hope they continue to do this so that their culture continues and people can continue to see it,” she said.
