“That’s one of the things that you think about, sort of the background, like the choreography. How many hours of practice go into it as well. And then the rear projection was a great touch that sort of opens the stage into the world. It was very beautiful,” said Cory Graff, a curator for the National World War II Museum. “One of the things that you see, there is a China and a large history before the communist takeover and throughout the '40s and '30s and into ancient times, you see that China is this vivacious and somewhat exotic to American eyes.”
“Very well-rehearsed, very in sync, powerful. The story is important too,” said Shane LeCocq, a dance studio founder and artistic director. “The subversive message about anti-communism. I think it’s rare to see that in the arts, and yet it’s been experienced firsthand. So for those who think that they can somehow do that in this generation, I think it’s important to know history.”
“The background is just unbelievable,” said Bill Hrapmann, a wealth advisory firm president. “To watch the people jump in and out of the screen in the sky—just to come watch that alone would be worth the price of admission.”
Laura Hagstette, a financial adviser, said: “I thought it was really neat. I thought it was very cool the way they integrated that with the people, when they would pop out. I thought it was neat. It’s awesome.”
Shen Yun, which is based in New York, presents the beauty of traditional Chinese culture to audiences, with elegant movements and refined technique that some audience members described as perfection.
“It’s some of the most synchronized dancing I’ve ever seen. They are beautiful dancers. All of them, the colors are extraordinary. It’s a phenomenal show,” said Letizia LeCocq, a ballroom dance instructor.
“The extensions of the dancers are so impressive, and the costumes are gorgeous. And I heard myself saying, ‘wow’ a lot. It was very beautiful,” said Janine Graff, a nonprofit fundraiser. “I love that the dance is put to stories, and you realize that by the finish of the story, no one said anything, but you understood everything.”
“I was really surprised at sort of the acrobatics and the power of some of the dancers. It’s kind of amazing. Not only are they doing these amazing flips, it’s almost silent ... it’s really beautiful,” said Mr. Graff. “That’s a great message. I think it’s a message that everybody needs to hear. And it was amazing to see it in such beautiful art. It was a wonderful show, and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next year.”
