Jason Pegg, a senior company manager, said, “It is amazing. First off, the storytelling and dance are fascinating, and the skill of the dancers is quite amazing. Overall, it’s amazing how much story comes through in color, in dance, and in expression. And I really feel like I’m getting introduced to a very specific part of Chinese culture.”
Irina Semco, a health community specialist with the Spokane Regional Health District, said, “This is my first time seeing Shen Yun, and it was spectacular. I don’t know all the words to describe it. It was phenomenal. I really enjoyed the whole show.”
“Absolutely wonderful and stunning,” said Danny Santiago, a systems administrator for the City of Lewiston. “This is my second time back, and the performers were just as wonderful as they were last year. So great choreography, great timing.”
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture from before communism, through classical Chinese dance and music. From legends and myths to ethnic dances, Shen Yun presents a wide range of stories. It also includes a piece inspired by a modern-day true story of courage—highlighting the persecution of faith that continues in today's China. This is one reason Shen Yun cannot perform there under the communist regime.
Mr. Pegg said, “I especially loved the story of the young lady who decided to be a scholar. I thought that was particularly good. It was heartbreaking, and at the same time, wonderful to see the mother and son dance in that story that really brought out so much of what many Chinese people have gone through under the communist regime. It’s been really neat to see that in dance and in music.”
Mr. Santiago said, “Seeing what their culture has had to survive, and how they’re continuing to keep that surviving now in other countries around the world, where they can’t preserve it in their own country to the same degree. I am very thankful for what they’re going through and putting themselves through to be able to do this and bring this culture to us.”
Mr. Pegg said, “The story that I’m hearing is a much more free and open culture that, under communism, has become repressed. However, at the same time, the people are staying strong, staying together, helping each other. They have a message of hope and a message that there’s more than just the government you’re under. There’s something in your soul, a piece that you can find. And I love that message.”
“The live orchestra hits every note. And this year I got to sit much closer. We were in row C, so we’re in the orchestra section. And I actually got to watch them as they were performing. I got to see at one point where they were performing a lot of the sound effects from the percussion area, and just everybody performed admirably. And they seemed to really enjoy everything they were doing,” said Mr. Santiago.
“Happy anniversary. Well done. Keep it up. I hope that 20 years from now I’ll be able to see you again,” said Mr. Pegg.
Mr. Santiago said, “Thank you all very much for everything you’ve all put into it over the years. Without all of your hard work and history, we wouldn’t be here today, and I saw it last year. I’ll see it again next year, and I’ll continue to see it from now on. Thank you all so much for what you’re doing. It really means a lot to us.”
