NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.—Shen Yun Performing Arts drew a full house, curtain calls, and a standing ovation at the New Brunswick State Theatre, Saturday, October 27.
During its 2012 season finale, Art teacher Carolyn Eisenhart and husband Robert experienced for the first time classical Chinese dance and music that transcends 5,000 years for the evening’s audience to enjoy.
“It’s beautiful, I didn’t expect it to be so beautiful because we’ve never seen anything like this before,” Ms. Eisenhart said.
The experience was enhanced by the Eisenhart’s love for Asian art reflected in “a living room full of Chinese art and furniture,” she added.
Mr. Eisenhart, who works in computers, expressed his delight for classical Chinese dance and its skilful choreography.
“This took a lot of time and a lot of work; it shows up on the stage in all the performances,” he said.
Classical Chinese dance is among the most comprehensive forms of performing arts in the world, with both complex and difficult-to-master jumping and tumbling techniques, according to the New York-based company’s website.
Ms. Eisenhart was taken by the grace of the artists and the blaze of color that filled the stage.
“Very spiritual, so otherworldly … beautiful,” she said.
Shen Yun’s mini-drama pieces draw upon stories and legends that span China’s history from the Yellow Emperor through the Tang and Song dynasties and all the way to the modern day, the website described.
A unique feature of Chinese civilization is that its history has been documented and passed down uninterrupted for 5,000 years, sometimes in vivid detail. This provides Shen Yun with vast source material, making it possible to revive this ancient culture on a present-day stage.
“Beautiful history of China [that faces] some of the real problems in China today—and does so forthright,” concluded Mr. Eisenhart.
Reporting by Gloria Gao and Raiatea Tahana-Reese.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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