LAKELAND, Fla.—Linda Howard, a retired dental laboratory technician, said she loves watching television programs about Chinese culture and dress. Wanting to see Shen Yun Performing Arts, she finally brought her husband Mike Howard, also a retired dental laboratory technician, and friend Dan McBride, pastor at Victory Church, to the performance at the Youkey Theatre on March 15.
The orchestra that blends Eastern and Western instruments, the classically trained dancers, and the virtuoso vocalists that sing Chinese lyrics using the bel canto style, he said, were “all perfect!”
Mr. McBride was impressed with Shen Yun’s patented method of integrating a 3D animated backdrop with the stage performance, allowing the performers to seamlessly travel back and forth between the stage and the background projection.
“It was really cool to see the technology and the integration with the screen and the dance and the characters going in and out of the screen and jumping back on the stage—very enjoyable,” he said.
In regards to the spiritual undertones of the performance, Mr. McBride said it “encourages a return to values and morality and treating others with respect.”
‘All 10’s Across the Board’
Harvey Ranard, retired Navy captain, also attended the performance of Shen Yun with his wife Barbara at the Youkey Theatre on March 15.“We’re just absolutely loving this,” said Mr. Ranard, “the production, the choreography, the lighting, costumes, it’s just amazing!”
“I’ve learned a lot already tonight from the production,” he added.
According to the company’s website, Shen Yun’s costumes and colors are true to traditional aesthetics and styles, painting each dance piece with the splendor of the past.
“I appreciated the traditional classic and the sadness of losing that to communism in the country,” he said.
“One thing that we learned in the military going all over the world is that every nation’s people, like us, are just trying to raise their families and inspire to their beliefs and values,” he added.
“What gets my attention is what the current government has done to the people—the oppression and cruelty—they just seem to have their sights set on disturbing the whole world, not just their own people, and that concerns me greatly.”
With gratitude, Mr. Ranard expressed his appreciation for all of the Shen Yun performers.
“I want to offer them my highest commendation … for their talent and dedication and their performance,” he said, “all 10’s across the board!”