BOISE, Idaho—Shen Yun Performing Arts performed at the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts on March 3. Sarah Lebengood said that it was “really mind-boggling to watch. It’s just beautiful.”
Ms. Libengood, a former ballet dancer, appreciated the talent and hard work that goes into the performance. “They all have exceptional talent and strength and agility,” she said. “I watched them, and I remember just the amazing technical ability that these athletes have.”
She noted the talent and training required for a Shen Yun dancer. “Their skill is unparalleled. It’s beautiful. It really, really is,” she said, especially about Shen Yun’s mission of reviving traditional Chinese culture. “I think whenever you’re able to convey a part of your culture to an area that has no idea, that they don’t know the history, they don’t know the culture, and they’re able to convey it in such a beautiful fashion, it really speaks not only to the skill but also to the artistry of the of the dancers. It’s great.”
Shen Yun’s stories conveyed a rich and spiritual message to the audience. “I get a great sense of spirituality behind the culture and the faith in the gods, I think it’s Buddha,” Ms. Lebengood said.
The opening scene of the Creator coming to save humanity left a deep impression on Ms. Lebengood. “I think it’s fascinating. I really do think it’s fascinating. Anytime somebody has faith, that’s a great thing. To have faith and to realize that you’re not alone on this planet is such a beautiful thing.”
All aspects of the production impacted Ms. Lebengood. “Everything stands out. It leaps right off the stage at you. It’s very beautifully done. And [the performers] have so much talent and skill. I will say my favorite is watching the acrobatics, where they do their back flips, and they just kind of hang in the air for a while. And then they finally come down. It’s like it’s in slow motion. It’s beautiful,” she said.
Ms. Lebengood would encourage friends to come to Shen Yun, she said. “They would just need to come see it for themselves. It’s just visually stunning. I think that’s the best way to put it. It’s visually stunning. Both my mom and my friend are visually impaired, and they both can see all the colors and all of the beauty, and so it’s really, really spectacular.”
Shen Yun Gives Hope for Positive Change
Drew Drewry, a general contractor, said, “It was amazing to see the talent, [and] the actual sharing of bits and pieces of that culture is really remarkable. It’s so beautiful. I was just amazed at how all of the people were just so in tune with what was going on. The whole program was orchestrated in such a way that it made you want to continue to see what was coming next. It was absolutely breathtaking.”With shows scheduled in over 200 cities and across five continents, the 2024 touring season is shaping up to be the artists’ busiest yet.
One dance touched Mr. Drewry. “What I really resonated with was the magic fish and that scenario that took place there. I thought that was really remarkable. That young man, he was kind of rebellious. And then the magic fish came and gave him another path. [It turned out] it wasn’t really a fish, then kind of set him straight—so that really kind of resonated with me,” he said.
A lifelong resident of Idaho, Mr. Drewry had good feelings after seeing Shen Yun’s performance. He said: “I feel very at peace, very peaceful, with great hope. I hope for positive change.”
