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HOUSTON—Impressive, very impressive, is what Richard Jansen, an analyst for a Fortune 500 company, said about the Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company matinee at the Jones Hall for the Performing Arts on Dec. 29.
“Colors are wonderful, the music is fabulous, and the dancing is very impressive,” said Mr. Jansen, who said he was especially moved by the stories spanning China’s 5,000-year history.
At the core of New York-based Shen Yun’s performances is classical Chinese dance including China’s numerous ethnic and folk dance styles. Every performance includes stories from Chinese history and from classic literature and legends.
“I’m just drawn to the idea that they’re telling stories rather than just going through, just dance motion. The dance is really beautiful, but I like that they’re telling stories,” said Mr. Jansen.
“Whether set in the past or in contemporary China, “every dance embodies traditional Chinese values. Ideals of loyalty, filial piety, and veneration for the divine are cherished and celebrated,” according to Shen Yun’s website.
Mr. Jansen said the costumes are very elegant. “Very striking—a lot of color and they grant the eye very much, and they flow so well with all the motion of the dancers.”
The Shen Yun Performing Arts Orchestra is unique. “The distinctly Chinese sound of ancient instruments like the erhu and the pipa are bathed in a rich sea of Western strings, percussion, woodwinds, and brass,” according to Shen Yun’s website.
The orchestra has been a wonderful thing.
“The orchestra has been great! You know the music and the dance belong together and you don’t really spend that much time thinking about the orchestra, but neither would work well without the other. The orchestra has been a wonderful thing,” said Mr. Jansen.
“I’m very happy to be seeing this. I didn’t quite know what to expect but I’m quite happy to be seeing this. I don’t think I would see anything like this,” he said.
Elaine Lum, who is Chinese-American, recommended the show to Mr. Jansen.
“I’m astounded by the talent of the people,” said Mrs. Lum.
Mrs. Lum said she thinks the traditional Chinese culture Shen Yun celebrates is outstanding. “I think it’s great! I think it’s tremendous,” she said.
She praised the artists. “I think they’re just outstanding.”
Reporting by Sunny Chen and Kelly Ni.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun’s International Company will be performing in Houston through January 1. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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