DENVER—Attorney Jay Richards and his wife Joy, a piano teacher, are returning audience members of
Shen Yun Performing Arts. Having enjoyed past performances so much, they knew they had to return for the company’s matinee at the Buell Theatre on April 8.
“The dancing skills—it’s phenomenal,” Mr. Richards said. “I think it’s beautiful what they’re doing for us.”
As one of the world’s oldest civilizations, China’s 5,000-year history is rich with breathtaking legends and time-honored traditions. Yet within just a few decades of the Chinese communists’ rise to power, much of this magnificent culture was destroyed.
The spread of atheism rapidly undermined belief in
the divine, and the cherished virtues drawn from Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism were swept away.
Today, New York–based Shen Yun is working
to revive this lost civilization and to bring back, through dance and music, the beauty of China before communism.
Though Mr. Richards is not very familiar with Chinese culture, he thoroughly enjoyed the performance, thanks in part to the company’s bilingual hosts, who provided a short introduction to each piece before the curtain rose.
“It’s a great dance performance, and I liked the storytelling by the [
hosts,]” he said. “That’s helpful. It’s just very pleasant to watch and experience.”
The storytelling was “steeped in tradition. It’s nice to learn a little bit about it and watch the performance. It’s a soothing presentation—it was nice and peaceful and calming to watch the whole thing.”
As a musician, Mrs. Richards deeply appreciated Shen Yun’s
singer, who performed in the bel canto style. Known for producing the most beautiful and pure tone of voice, Shen Yun singers bring original songs to the stage that delve into the deeper meanings of life.
“I love it very much,” she said. “The tenor was incredible, great stage presence, and the pianist did a very fine job.”
The tenor’s “presence, his power—it was obvious that he believed in what he was singing.”
She also praised the company’s
live orchestra, which seamlessly blends a classical Western orchestra with traditional Chinese melodies and instruments such as the two-stringed erhu and the pipa, an ancient lute.
“The orchestra was just incredible. Fabulous,” Mrs. Richards said. “I love that it’s all live people instead of something that’s taped. Authenticity makes a difference in the performance, because too much [of what we have now] is on our screens.”
Since its establishment in 2006, S
hen Yun has earned widespread acclaim. Each year, the artists present a brand-new set of choreography and musical compositions, ensuring that both new and returning audience members are always in for a surprise.
Reporting by Sherry Dong and Jennifer Tseng.
