TOLEDO, Ohio—A man and woman who are artists and city leaders saw Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company at the Stranahan Theater on March 18. Each was moved and thrilled by the experience.
Based in New York, Shen Yun Performing Arts was established in 2006 with the mission of reviving 5,000 years of divinely inspired Chinese culture.
Ballet dancer with the Toledo Ballet, founder/owner of the 20 North Gallery, developer and historic preservationist Eric Hillenbrand said the performance was “just magnificent.” The choreography was “heroic … the whole story line behind the performance was very powerful, very moving.”
Condessa Croninger is the theater art director for 20 North Gallery, and also works with the Toledo Ballet. She was chosen as one of Toledo’s 20 under 40, an award which is “Saluting Toledo’s Young Dynamic Leaders,” according to its website.
Ms. Croninger said Shen Yun “is truly a breathtaking celebration of the freedom of expression. I was amazed, blown away. And what I think impressed me most was not only the quality of the soloists, but how the corps seamlessly worked together with the soloists. It was far beyond what is typically seen on stage. It’s very, very beautiful choreography, and excellent dancing.”
Chinese classical dance contains “China’s rich cultural traditions, which allow its movements to be deeply expressive, such that the personalities and feelings of characters can be conveyed with unparalleled clarity,” according to the program.
“There was a unique Chinese character that merged so well with the universal classical steps. It all flowed together seamlessly,” said Ms. Croninger.
About one dance, Sleeves of Silk, she said: “I was just awe struck by the command that the dancers had over the costuming that they used, and how they were able to be so fluid and yet so tightly control the perimeters of the dance. It was beautiful.”
