LOS ANGELES—Stars of stage and screen made it out to Shen Yun Performing Arts’ Los Angeles finale at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, including actress and model Gabrielle Tuite.
“It’s amazing, so beautiful and visually stimulating,” said the actress at intermission. “The energy is amazing. I really love it.”
Ms. Tuite started acting and modeling when she was young, appearing on television and in print ads, then went onto acting. She was also a prize model for many years on the game show The Price Is Right.
She was genuinely excited about the show: “Outstanding, phenomenally amazing. Standing ovation!” she said.
]“I love the music, the lyrics in it and the message,” she said of the solo vocalists that punctuate the dance performances.
According to the Shen Yun website, “The lyrics are all original compositions. Brimming with philosophical reflection about human life and deep layers of meaning, they traverse the boundaries of nation, race, and culture and have been fondly received and appreciated the world over.”
The vocal work is all in Chinese, with the translated lyrics projected on the digital backdrop so that everyone can follow along.
Shen Yun mainly consists of dance pieces, performed in classical Chinese dance, an art form that has been passed down and developed over millennia. These dances tell stories and play out historical episodes from the vast annals of Chinese civilization.
Ms. Tuite also enjoyed the hundreds of dazzling costumes featured throughout the performance. “The costumes are phenomenal,” she said.
Accompanying Ms. Tuite was Nick Perkins, who owns a medical spa in West Hollywood.
“I think it’s great, amazing,” said Mr. Perkins. “I think it’s an amazing show about the Chinese culture, the costumes are amazing, and the way they dance is amazing. I think everyone should watch it.”
Ms. Tuite summed it up this way: “Totally amazing. Absolute standing ovation.”
Reporting by Mandy Huang of NTD and Ben Bendig.
Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company will next perform in San Diego Jan. 19-22.
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3WTKCEA4tE[/video]
