“It's a magical performance. It was just the music, the colors, the dance. It was beautiful,” said Dasko. “I think everyone is just very talented, very well choreographed. It's the work that goes into it. The practice that must have happened to bring off such an event is truly it's wonderful. Having the symphony playing in the background, orchestrating the entire performance? I thought it was truly beautiful, is very moving as well.”
“It is absolutely stunning. The costumes, the dance, the singing, the music—it was beautiful, absolutely gorgeous,” said Michael Leblanc, the CEO of FCT.
“Their body, their posture, their performance was very graceful, very beautiful. They were all together. It would just [say] their jumps, their dresses, beautiful. It was very beautiful,” said Sue Riccio, the wife of the owner of Varcon Construction.
“They had a story and each dance, the story was very touching. If some was funny, some was emotional, it was absolutely beautiful. I definitely recommend for everybody come see it.”
Elsy Rosado, a business owner, said: “it's so beautiful. Oh, my God, it's amazing. I honestly, congrats, guys, that this is just a great show. Great show, definitely worth it to come and check it out.”
Leblanc added: “Love, honor, believing in something real, I think they're all key attributes ... A good, beautiful civilization in a time when we don't really experience much of that around this world, right? With all we hear and see, it's just the way we should all live. I think that's just a reminder.”
In addition to ancient legends and myths, Shen Yun also presents stories of modern-day courage by people of faith. Specifically, practitioners of a traditional Chinese meditation system for the mind and body, Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa. The Chinese Communist Party has persecuted the practice for over two decades. Because of its efforts to expose those abuses, Shen Yun is prohibited from performing inside China.
“When I see something like this I think of the brave people that continue to carry on the tradition, I think it’s the right thing to do,” said Leblanc. “I knew nothing about this until I came here tonight, about the persecution, and about the religious beliefs, and the nature of the people. So this is really refreshing for me. Really, really refreshing.”
“800 shows a year is truly amazing right across the globe. It also shows that art transforms all boundaries,” said Dasko. “I’m truly in awe of what the artistic director comes up with ... Keep up the incredible work and keep delivering just these magical performances.”
