HOUSTON—Bill Thorogood, a chief financial officer, and Nellie Thorogood, doctor and former president and vice chancellor of many universities, spent New Year’s at the Jones Hall for Performing Arts in Houston watching the Shen Yun Performing Arts’ matinee.
“I think the blending of the presentation of the cultural with the story, the blending of the other talents, the fabrics, design, they were beautiful,” Mrs. Thorogood said.
“They used color extremely well,” Mr. Thorogood said. “The uniqueness of the choreography and the artistic creation … the use of the digital screen was, I think, pretty wonderful.”
The New York-based company presents a diverse and multi-faceted performance that brings to life 5,000 years of Chinese civilization through stories told through dance, solo musicians, vocals, and an orchestral ensemble that blends Eastern and Western classical instruments in original composition.
“I think the orchestra balanced with the flow, and that they’re just right on target,” Mrs. Thorogood said.
Mr. Thorogood said he enjoyed seeing the diversity of China as represented through the various ethnic and folk dances. In addition to dances like the Yi ethnic dance, many of Shen Yun’s dances tell a story.
“Each story is pretty unique, they act it out really well,” Mr. Thorogood said. “As mime, you can get the story, real quick.”
“They bring all the emotions out, like any good creative process,” Mr. Thorogood said of the performers. “You can feel each one of the characters.”
“Bearing is the translation of a specific Chinese term that can best be described as a particular inner spirit,” says Shen Yun’s website. Bearing is one of the three main components of classical Chinese dance, along with form and technique.
“[There’s] a lot of humor, a lot of sincerity, and it really tells you the best in China,” Mr. Thorogood said.
“I’m very glad I came, I'll recommend it to other people,” he added.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun’s International Company will be performing in Dallas Jan. 2-3. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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