Connecticut State Sen. Ryan Fazio recognized Shen Yun in Stamford—congratulating the group after the last of five performances there on April 30.
“The performance was fantastic. I had never seen it before. And I was very excited to see it. And it even outdid my expectations for it. The homage to traditional dance and traditional Chinese culture is fantastic,” said Fazio.
“Amazing! Very transcending and the ethereal. And it just takes you away to a different time and place and gives you a lot of hope,” said Peter Ingargiola, who is the owner of Innuendo Installations, LLC.
“Top notch, five stars, in every aspect: technique, performance, choreography. I mean, I can’t say enough about it. It’s really, it’s top echelons of performing. It’s absolutely beautiful,” said Charlyn DiLorenzo, who is an acrobatics instructor and choreographer at Releve Dance Center.
According to Shen Yun’s website, their vocalists use the traditional bel canto technique. Theatergoers drew attention to the message behind the music.
“She was a fantastic performer, and it was very interesting to actually get to see the lyrics, and for the audience to understand the message that she’s trying to convey,” Fazio said.
“The importance of tradition and the importance of a religious worldview,” he added. “Ensuring that there is tradition in our societies, I think is very important in order to protect, protect people, and protect people’s rights and what is good.”
“They touched my heart, with the lyrics and seeing the lyrics on the screen. Just really, I actually cried, I’m glad that the lights are out. Because the tears were definitely starting to well up in my eyes. … The voices touch me, right in the center of my heart,” DiLorenzo said.
“Very, very powerful. Very, very powerful. To me, that was maybe the highlight of the show so far. Just [the] words and the Divine will conquer and will triumph. So that was encouraging. And I believe that,” said Priest Thomas Wilhelm.
Some audience members said they took away an even deeper meaning.
“I think the tension between good and evil, and having that come out and good does seem to triumph. But it’s a struggle. And those [Divine] forces are there. And they’re around us and I suppose within us, but it was good to see the uplifting and the hopeful presentation of the performers,” Wilhelm said.
“Just to care for each other. And just be kind to each other, and good to each other, and love each other. That’s it. Not fighting, war, greed. Just be kind and loving,” Ingargiola said. “If it reaches enough people, it will change the world.”
“Being in the business, I understand what it takes to perform skills of the caliber that they’re performing. And even the smallest movements, the articulation of movement and the dedication, passion, commitment it takes to perform it at the level they did. Just beyond words. I really, really appreciate their commitment, devoting their whole lives to it, which is I’m sure is what they do,” DiLorenzo said.
“Definitely a minimum of once in your life. I’ve wanted to see this show for many, many years. And we finally got to see it today. And don’t miss it. It’s awesome,” she added.
“What Shen Yun is doing, it’s keeping a lot of those traditions alive here for everyone, all the Chinese expats, but for the entire world to see they’re doing very important work. It’s very brave. It’s very important. And I think years from now people will be thanking Shen Yun for keeping those traditions alive,” Fazio said.
“Congratulations, and thank you for your performance. I think it was greatly enjoyed by everybody in the audience,” he said.
Shen Yun will perform in Newark, New Jersey, this weekend.
NTD News, Stamford, Connecticut
