WASHINGTON—Returning to Washington D.C. for the second time this year, the New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts drew standing ovations, two encores, and prolonged applauds from an appreciative audience at the Kennedy Center Opera House on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
Former U.S. Senator and founder of the Democracy Foundation Mr. Mike Gravel attended the exclusive performance tonight along with his wife Mrs. Whitney Gravel.
"I am very, very concerned about the human rights aspect of it and the freedom of religion aspect of it (Falun Gong)," the Mr. Gravel commented.
Mr. Gravel was referring to two pieces in the Shen Yun performances that depict the human rights abuses against Falun Gong, a spiritual practice, currently going on in China.
As for the whole show, “It was fantastic, the choreography, the colors,” Mr. Gravel said.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a performance, and I was just taken away by the color and the cleverness of the presentation.”
Shen Yun presents classical Chinese dance and music in colorful and exhilarating vignettes. It has traveled the globe during its World Tours.
Shen Yun performances also feature state-of-the art animated digital backdrops depicting beautiful background scenes, ranging from breath-taking landscapes to celestial palaces. The animations in the backdrops and its interaction with the performance on stage enhances the show and adds to its depth.
“When you saw the mountain fall down, and the cleverness of having these people go into the moon or sky and then come back, and walk up on the stage, that’s clever. All I can say is [it's] very clever. And it focuses your attention [on] what are they going to do next,” Mr. Gravel said, recalling a scene in Monk Ji Gong Abducts the Bride and other scenes in the backdrops throughout the show.
Mr. Gravel couldn’t say enough to compliment Shen Yun and recommends it to all.
“I just compliment the cast, the producers, the choreographers—it’s a great show and I recommend it highly.”
In 2009, Shen Yun has already graced the stages of more than 90 cities on five continents. A six-run show will be held at Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center Opera House from August 26 to 30.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. For more information please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
