Interviews by Julie Wang
WORCESTER, Massachusetts — On April 25-26, Shen Yun Performing Arts held three shows at the prestigious Hanover Theater in Worcester, drawing glowing reviews from audiences in the historic city. Against the backdrop of Worcester’s rich cultural heritage, the performance’s portrayal of traditional Chinese culture left a lasting impression on attendees.
Founded in 2006, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, showcasing the beauty and splendor of traditional Chinese culture and art prior to the ravages of communism. The New York-based company currently boasts eight equally sized troupes that tour and perform across the world simultaneously, putting on a brand new production each year.
“It really is such an opportunity for us to immerse ourselves in a different culture in so many different ways, and to really understand that we’re not alone in this world, said Barbara Malkas, a retired school superintendent now teaching at Williams James College and William Jewell College as an adjunct professor. Malkas attended Shen Yun’s matinee show on April 25 with fellow teacher Ashley Riordan.
‘Fabulous’
When asked about the cultural impact of the performance, Malkas told Vision Times, “There would be an attachment to the history that they denied—the wrong culture. And that can happen anywhere.”
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“That can happen in any country anywhere. It can even happen here in America. So we have to remember our history and not deny our culture. We know the culture we’re founded on, and that is the message of Shen Yun,” she noted. Malkas also emphasized a broader takeaway. “There are more good people than bad,” she said, “What separates us isn’t that big a deal, we’re more alike than we are different.”
Ashley Riordan, a first-grade teaching assistant with 14 years of experience, attended Shen Yun’s performance alongside Barbara. When asked what stood out to her most, Riordan said, “I’m amazed at the way they can move their bodies. And they are just so acrobatic and amazing.”
She added, “It really blew my mind. I knew it was going to be fabulous, cause she had told me about it, but it was even better than I thought.”
Malkas also reflected on the role of music in the performance. “I really resonated with the music and how it became not just an accompaniment to the story, but a part of the story, so that you could really understand the story much more and envision the Mongolian men on their horses,” she said, adding, “It allowed you to kind of step out of thinking very concretely to more abstractly.”
‘It speaks to everyone’
Aside from showcasing stunning choreography, acrobatics, and a live orchestra that blends traditional Western and classical Chinese instruments, Shen Yun’s performances bring to life legends and historical stories from ancient China, alongside modern tales of bravery and oppression unfolding in China today. The show is guided by two emcees who present in both Chinese and English, making it accessible to a wider audience.
Working in the education field, both Barbara and Ashley noted that students from a wide range of backgrounds have enjoyed Shen Yun at the theater. “There was a young man in front of us who is obviously neurodivergent, and to see him enjoying the show—at points he was humming along with the music and rocking—it [shows how Shen Yun] really speaks to everybody,” said Malkas.
“It just brings everyone together,” said Riordan, adding, “I’m going to come back, I will be coming back, and I think my mom would love this show,” Ashley said.
‘China before communism’
Mr. and Mrs. Sabol attended Shen Yun’s evening performance on April 25, marking the second time the couple had seen the show. “We saw it 10 years ago,” they said. Reflecting on the performance, Mr. Sabol said he wanted to learn more about China’s past, particularly what the “country was like before communism.” “The assumption is that [the culture] was always there,” he told Vision Times.
The couple also spoke about the broader themes conveyed throughout the performance. “I appreciate everyone’s beliefs, what they do… and it did shine into what was going on. I enjoyed it quite a bit,” said Mrs. Sabol, a retired trust officer who previously worked at an attorney’s office.
Expanding on that idea, Mr. Sabol added, “It just means everyone has divinity. So they’re celebrating everyone’s divinity. So in that light, I appreciated it.” Beyond the message, both emphasized their enjoyment of the artistic elements. “I enjoyed the music, too,” Mrs. Sabol said, while Mr. Sabol added, “Two songs were beautiful.”
Shen Yun’s performances aim not only to entertain; some of the performing arts’ dance pieces showcase the bravery and resilience of oppressed individuals as they strive to maintain their beliefs in the face of immense adversity. These performances hope to raise awareness and educate audiences on important social and political issues, while providing a unique perspective on the human spirit and the importance of not taking certain freedoms for granted.
‘Beautiful’
Scott and Jennifer Brouillette spoke with reporters after attending Shen Yun for the first time on April 25. “I like the monkey [king] one. I thought the monkey one [Journey to the West] was pretty cool,” said Mr. Brouillette, a security professional by trade.
Mrs. Brouillette, a teaching assistant, said her favorite was the female dancers’ water sleeves dance. “That was beautiful,” she said. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“It’s good, it’s emotional,” Scott added. When asked if they would recommend the show to family and friends, he said, “I would recommend that they go. You’ll learn more about China and the history.”
For more information on Shen Yun Performing Arts, including FAQs and ticketing information, please visit the official website here.
