Architect-Developer Couple Amazed by Shen Yun’s Dance

“Simply amazing,” said developer Gayle Caplan about the Shen Yun Performing Arts show at Proctors Theater in Schenectady NY. “Loved it!” She saw the show with her husband John, an architect.
Architect-Developer Couple Amazed by Shen Yun’s Dance
Schenectady Developer Jim Salengo saw Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company at Proctors Theater on Jan. 19 in Schenectady, New York. (Courtesy of NTD Television)
1/18/2011
Updated:
10/1/2015
<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/20110119-Jan_Jekielek_Proctors_Theater-MOD.jpg" alt="The historic Proctors Theatre is quiet on a wintery night, in the hours following a vibrant performance by Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company on Jan 19 in Schenectady, New York. (Jan Jekielek/The Epoch Times)" title="The historic Proctors Theatre is quiet on a wintery night, in the hours following a vibrant performance by Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company on Jan 19 in Schenectady, New York. (Jan Jekielek/The Epoch Times)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1809510"/></a>
The historic Proctors Theatre is quiet on a wintery night, in the hours following a vibrant performance by Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company on Jan 19 in Schenectady, New York. (Jan Jekielek/The Epoch Times)
SCHENECTADY, New York—Architect John Caplan and wife Gayle, a developer, were part of the appreciative audience attending Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company’s performance at Proctors Theater in Schenectady NY on Wednesday night.

Shen Yun presents colorful and exhilarating performances of classical Chinese dance and music. The New York-based company transports its audiences back through royal courts of ancient China and allows them to be part of scenes of traditional daily life. In addition scenes from ancient China, scenes from contemporary China also find themselves in the performance.

It was the first time the Caplans had seen the show, and both were captivated by Shen Yun’s dance.

“Simply amazing,” is how Mrs. Caplan described her experience of the dancing. “Loved it!”

What impressed Mr. Caplan most was “how fluid the dancers are.” He was particularly taken by strength of the men’s dance pieces.

At the core of Shen Yun performances is classical Chinese dance that carries the essence of Chinese cultural expression in its movements, postures, and aesthetics.

Mrs. Caplan found herself entranced by the dances in which the Shen Yun lady dancers wear costumes with long, rippling sleeves, known a water sleeves, notably the piece, Cloud Maidens. She found them “very impressive.”

The Caplans also enjoyed the all-original compositions of Shen Yun’s one-of-a-kind orchestra. The distinctly Chinese sound of ancient instruments like the erhu and the pipa are combined with western strings, percussion, woodwinds, and brass.

“The music was amazing also,” said Gayle.

Reporting by Sally Sun and Sophia Bronwen.

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For dates in Detroit and other tour stops, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org

 
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