.png)
Moira Romano, founder and editor-in-chief of My ETV Media, was enthralled with the "multi-media aspect" of the Shen Yun Performing Arts Thursday evening at Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, Jan. 17, 2013. (Courtesy of NTD Television)
TORONTO—Moira Romano, founder and editor-in-chief at the entertainment news website My ETV Media, was enthralled with what she referred to as the “multi-media aspect” of the Shen Yun Performing Arts show she saw on Thursday evening.
New York-based Shen Yun, which presents classical Chinese dance and music, features state-of-the art animated backdrops that set the stage behind the dancers with breathtaking scenes.
“I thought it was very, very successful to mix in the multi-media so [the show] had the big screen pictures of the locations,” Romano said, “and then the beautiful way that the dancers came out of the screen and came into the story.”
Adding to this multi-media aspect for Romano was the music performed live by the Shen Yun Orchestra.
“The live orchestra is the real treat because it’s so rare to have that,” she said.
The Shen Yun Orchestra is quite unique in the way it seamlessly combines classical Western instruments with traditional Chinese instruments.
“It was lovely to have it in real life instead of just a recording,” Romano said.
“Frequently we just have a recording, especially of Chinese instruments.”
She said she particularly enjoyed the solo performance of the two-stringed Chinese instrument, the erhu.
“It sort of has a sad and sort of mystic kind of quality to it, but also a very dreamlike quality in a way,” she said, adding that she also enjoyed the solo vocal performances.
Shen Yun ‘Transforming’
Romano was full of praise for the choreography and talented dancers in the performance.
“They were amazing. …You could tell the discipline and study that had gone into it was remarkable.”
Adding to the beauty of the dances for Romano were the beautiful, hand-made costumes in the show.
“The use of the fabric, you could only find that if you were really an expert in the history of the dance,” she said.
Describing the show as “transforming,” Romano said the show is also spiritual, making it “really delightful.”
“I would encourage anybody to go and see it, of any age, because it’s really quite remarkable.”
Reporting by NTD Television
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Following 21 successful shows Dec. 20-Jan. 13 in Mississauga, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Hamilton, Shen Yun’s New York Company will play five shows in Toronto Jan. 17-20, completing its tour of eastern Canada. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 21 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.
