PHILADELPHIA—Anticipation filled the Miller Theater as the curtain rose on Shen Yun Performing Arts on April 18. Stories from 5,000 years of “China before communism” entranced Chuck and Eileen LaBarre.
Many aspects—the costumes, the music, the instruments, the orchestra—pleased Mr. LaBarre, a retired firefighter.
“What really jumped out for me was the going from the screen and then live on to the stage and then they’re jumping back on to the screen. It’s very creative and unique,” he said.
Shen Yun features patented use of a digital backdrop that interacts with the performers as they jump in and out of magical landscapes on stage.
Mrs. LaBarre, an assistant deputy public defender in New Jersey, said she liked the stories from the millennia of traditional Chinese culture before communism. “I think just the different [stories], it tells you about the history [of China],” she said.
A live orchestra accompanies the dancers on stage. Both Eastern and Western instruments contribute to a unique sound that audiences love.
Mr. LaBarre said, “I love the music and the cultural part of it. I want to see something different and something that’s very traditional. It stands a test of time and I like the stories. The stories are easy to follow. You can follow the story just by their actions, their interactions, and the costumes.”
He especially liked “the little story about the girl who wanted to get [an education with the boys]. It was just very unique and it stood out.” According to the program, “Scholarly Affection” tells of a girl whose “penchant for mischief leads to both chaos and an unbreakable bond with a new friend.”
China’s communist regime has banned Shen Yun from China, although people can see the performance in Taiwan.
Another piece called “The Steadfast Heart” shows the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. According to the program, “Falun Dafa practitioners could once be found in parks across China. But in 1999, the communist regime, fearing the practice’s popularity, launched a brutal campaign to wipe it out.”
Mrs. LaBarre said she knew about the persecution of people of faith in China.
Mr. LaBarre said spreading awareness of these human rights abuses is important. “You can go by the news, but you just don’t know how much is [true]. I think that’s very important and it keeps people up to date on current events.”
Mrs. LaBarre agreed that it’s very important. Shen Yun’s emcees introduced the dance pieces and, for “The Steadfast Heart,” explained what is actually happening in China today. “I think it’s nice that they have the commentators reminding us that it still exists today to keep us more aware.”
“I think they do it in a nice way and just enough where it’s not overpowering, but it keeps you in touch and makes you just realize that these things still exist,” Mr. LaBarre said.
Mrs. LaBarre said she would recommend Shen Yun to friends. “It has a storyline to follow, and the costumes are incredible. It’s just a really nice show to see, especially in the afternoon in the city.”
