On April 13th, Shen Yun wrapped up an incredible run at the prestigious David H. Koch Theater in Lincoln Center, New York, wowing audiences with dazzling depictions of classical Chinese dance and music.
Founded in 2006 and based in New York, Shen Yun Performing Arts is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company. The company aims to revive 5,000 years of traditional culture and values through immersive performances that showcase China’s heritage prior to the ravages of communism.
The company currently has eight equally-sized troupes that tour and perform simultaneously across the globe; treating audiences to an entirely new production each and every year.
‘Everybody should experience this’
In conversation with Vision Times, Margie Camvian, a dance instructor specializing in ballet and modern dance and who caught Shen Yun’s final performance at the Lincoln Center, expressed regret that Shen Yun didn’t extend their time in the city.
“I am sorry it’s the last weekend here. It should be a little longer. But, the music, the music is so inspiring, the tenor and the soprano, the pianist, everyone,” she said.
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As a professional dance artist she had a deep understanding of what transpired on stage. “I learned a lot. Very educational, not only with the instruments but also with the history,” she said.
The performance left her with a sense of gratitude that she has the freedom to express herself spiritually in any way she pleases.
“How fortunate are we?” she asked. “That we are able to believe in anything and everything without the repercussions of being persecuted. That is inspiring. And, the Chinese people are incredible. They are just so magnificent. Rich in culture, rich in belief and this should go everywhere, everywhere.”
Nicolas Morales, was equally struck by the performance, saying that it “resonates on a deeper, personal level,” and that he loved “everything about it. The costumes, the music especially.”
‘It was the most extraordinary thing I have ever seen’
Mesmerized, Victoria Morales, a dancer in her youth, said that Shen Yun was “the most extraordinary thing I have ever seen.”
“I have been trying to come for ten years and it was just so hard to coordinate schedules with family,” Morales explained.
“I was a dancer before and to see them move like that it brought me so much joy, [it] is everything I loved about dance,” she said, adding, “That passion, that beauty, the movement, the choreography, and every single performer on stage… It meant a lot because it brought me back to a time when I could do things like that.”
She described the dancer’s technique as “flawless” and “truly wonderful.”
“It was truly, truly wonderful. It was one of the most memorable things I have ever seen. I just don’t have the words… truly, truly a wonderful experience,” she said struggling to keep her composure.
‘I think it’s beautiful, it’s wonderful’
Nikki Niculescu, a former model who now operates a large construction company that does work for both the state of New York and New York City, described the performance as both “beautiful” and “wonderful.”
“Their techniques, everything, very well coordinated; the choreography is great, it’s wonderful. The costumes, it represents the old world, the dynasties,” Niculescu said.
She said she particularly enjoyed the Journey to the West inspired portion of the performance and how performers appeared to jump in and out of the screened backdrop.
“I was like, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, there’s got to be a playback on that one because I didn’t expect that,” she exclaimed.
When asked what inspired her to attend the show she said her friends recommended it to her.
“A lot of my friends came to see the show… and they convinced me that I should come and see it. They have come previously, every year,” she said.
“It is something you shouldn’t miss,” she added.
Relaxing and peaceful
Julia Reiter, who attended the performance with her son, Jarad, and daughter, Rebecca, described the performance as both “relaxing” and “beautiful.”
“I love the costumes, the colors, and also the orchestra… the music was very, very nice and relaxing, peaceful,” Julia said.
She and her son enjoyed the use of technology in the performance, particularly the backdrop and how performers appeared to jump out of the screen. “That was very impressive,” she said.
Jarad said he loved the dancing and thought it was really “cool how they make them do all those flips and stuff.”
Rebecca was enthralled with the costumes, “The long sleeves and how they turn, the circle motion… they were beautiful. Very colorful, very, very nice,” she said.
When asked if she would recommend the performance to friends, Julia enthusiastically said, “yes.”
“It’s entertaining. It’s a different experience. It’s worth it.”
The ravages of communism
Arnold Albornoz, who attended the performance with his wife, Anita, was in awe of the performer’s athleticism and expressed a deeper understanding of the messages the performance aimed to convey.
“I think it’s fabulous, really. The quality of the athletes, because these kids are athletes, not only performers…. Not only artistic expression in their faces, their body language… the jumps, the bending, the contortions… the things you see at the Olympics!”
Arnold, an athlete in his youth, said his favorite dances involved the men. “I can appreciate all those contortions, the jumps and turns. All that. To put the athleticism into a context of artistry, of entertaining… I think it’s fabulous,” he said.
“The expression of the classic philosophy and the classic traditions of China have been closed up,” Arnold explained, adding that the communist authorities in China are trying to erase traditional Chinese values.
“The Cultural Revolution, what happened in 1949, they wanted to change and even erase the past, the 5,000 years of Chinese history… they wanted to erase it and start a new way of thinking, which is what we have today,” he said.
“But, I am glad to see there are some people like you and others that are trying to fulfill their mission to protect the true traditional values of the classic Chinese culture,” Arnold said.
With reporting by Anna Lin.
