Shen Yun Performing Arts uplifted audiences in Las Vegas, with four performances from Feb. 24 to 27.
“I absolutely love all of the colors, everything is just so well thought out. It’s opulent, it’s flawless. It’s just absolute perfection,” said Kristina Landin, who is an artist and founder of KLL Art.
“They lifted my soul,” said Chalice Lundquist, a choreographer at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts.
“Every part of it was beautiful: the mastery of the movement, the ease with which they perform, but also the way they carry themselves. There’s something more than just performing that’s happening on that stage. It was absolutely stunning,” Mrs. Lundquist added.
She brought her husband to see the performance at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts: “This is not something he would normally do on a Saturday afternoon, and he loved it. And now, we’re going to bring everyone we know next year,” she said.
“The show was incredible,” said dancer Cindy Doumani, who is an advisory board member at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. She first saw Shen Yun a decade ago, and has seen the performance every year since.
“The dancing and the dancers are incredible. And the colors and the music and the spirituality—I get the message, and it’s beautiful and wonderful. And I’m just thrilled that you’re all here, that I can witness this.”
Shen Yun is a New-York based company that performs classical Chinese dance and features a live orchestra and animated backdrop. Many theatergoers said they appreciated Shen Yun artists’ excellent skills.
“The catching of their own dresses and the synchronization of them jumping together at the same time, and being able to reach those levels that they did, all together. I just thought it was amazing,” said Maggie Mordaunt, founder and owner of HPP Training.
“I can’t even imagine the training that goes into being able to perform these movements with such grace. I missed the grace. I think in this day and age, we see so many things performed. But I really—it calmed my soul,” Mrs. Lundquist said.
Some audience members said the world needs more performances like Shen Yun and it could change the world.
“I really thought it was amazing how they really were looking at the ethics and the morals of humanity … it really symbolizes for us that we have to take responsibility for our actions,” Ms. Mordaunt said.
“I think the art director really hit home when it came to we the people and making sure that we embrace each other no matter where we come from—that together, we can actually unify and get past anything and survive it all,” Ms. Mordaunt added.
“I think we need more of [Shen Yun] today. The world is in a very bad way, and I pray to God that we can get back on track. And this beautiful performance shows all of that,” Ms. Doumani said.
Theatergoers felt uplifted after the performance.
“It was an uplifting performance, it gave me hope for the future,” said lawyer Greg Murphy, chair of the Montana Arts Council. “We need more of [Shen Yun]. It would make the world a better place.”
“I recommend everyone come and see it because it really moved me. Not only mentally—I mean, I was in awe of really seeing it with my eyes—but emotionally, I’m leaving here with my heart filled with the love that they actually conveyed in the show,” Ms. Mordaunt said.
“I leave wanting to make the world a better place. And isn’t that what art is for? And so thank you for giving me hope,” Ms. Lundquist said.
“Thank you for sharing your talent. Thank you for all the times you didn’t give up when it seems so hard, because this really lifted, I think it elevated the entire audience. So thank you,” she added.
Shen Yun will be performing in 11 cities around the world this week.
NTD News, Las Vegas, Nevada.
