Classical Chinese dance company Shen Yun Performing Arts wrapped up five performances in the Southside of Chicago at University Park from March 7 to March 10. Audiences were captivated by the seamless fusion of technology, artistry, and culture displayed throughout the performances.
Susan Henke, artist and principal owner of Area 52 uncensored Art Studio and Shop, attended Shen Yun with a friend. She was fascinated by Shen Yun’s patented backdrop technology.
“It was astounding. I couldn’t figure out how they could jump off the stage and then get into the technology, and I wanted to fly too,” she said.
Dr. Reza Gamagami, physician and owner of Progressive Surgical Associates, watched Shen Yun with his wife and daughter. He concurred with Ms. Henke: “I also found the backdrop very fascinating. The fact that you have this mixture of live with the imagery on the back being combined in such a way that sometimes you think the audience is actually where the players are actually getting into the screen. So that was actually very well done. I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
Gary Felicetti, attorney and owner of Felicetti Law said, “I thought the technical part of it was really interesting, where they kind of jump out of the screen. Now I thought that was I don’t know
how exactly that’s done. But it was really interesting. Because, like, when they first start coming out, you’re really surprised.”
Shen Yun features story-based classical Chinese dance, vocal soloists, and music performed by a live orchestra combining Chinese and Western musical instruments.
Deborah Tracy, sr. account executive at Nexstar Media Group, Inc. said, “It’s just the artistry, the dancing and the colors, and the vibrance and the athleticism and the grace and beauty behind it.”
Angela Tamer, vice president of Horizon Bank and owner of Red Fox Flowers, is the wife of Dr. Reza Gamagami. Mrs. Tamer said, “I was surprised that you had solo singers and you had a solo instrumental with an ancient Chinese instrument. I thought that that was wonderful. I didn’t expect it. And I was pleasantly surprised. It was really nice.”
Dr. Reza Gamagami said, “it’s just more than a dance, I think, too, because you have to be a very physically fit athlete to perform some of the incredible gymnastic moves that they actually perform. So, it’s a combination of dance gymnastics, and it’s very well-orchestrated. So, it’s a very unique experience.”
From ancient legends and myths to contemporary tales, the audience resonated with the timeless virtues expressed through the performance.
Ms. Henke said, “It speaks to being human. It speaks to a world that there’s so much chaos and it gives hope. And we have to have that because that propels us forward.”
Ms. Tracy said, “I’m spiritual myself, so it resonated with me really well. And I think the mission and the statement is it’s not offensive, and it’s not forceful. … I just think it opens eyes, you know, and hopefully, a lot of people will see the beauty in that and maybe start thinking about their own spirituality and the importance of it.”
Theatergoers also pointed to the graceful elegance of Chinese classical dance and the performers’ enthusiasm.
Cory Coffrin, owner of Coffrin’s ATA Martial Arts and a martial arts practitioner of 40 years, said, “You could feel it, you could really feel the performance and the dancers’ passion, when they were moving, and it was fantastic.”
Ms. Tracy said, “Absolutely. Like I said, the athleticism too, and just the energy from all of the dancers, you can tell that they really love what they’re doing. So that passion really resonated through.”
“I can’t wait till next year. So, when they said they do a new performance every year, that was really exciting because we had so much fun,” Mr. Coffrin said.
NTD News, University Park, Illinois.
