HOUSTON—Shen Yun Performing Arts touched the Houston audience at Jones Hall Wednesday evening, Dec. 23 with its grand display of classical Chinese dance and music.
“I love the projection screen backgrounds,” said Mr. Eduardo Castro. “I thought it was great.”
The New York-based company’s performances are accompanied by a digital background depicting scenes from ancient China to heavenly settings that transport the audience to another world.
Mr. Castro is a graphic designer and Emmy holder for Craft in Animation, and said, as a graphic designer, he liked how the modern technology was used to enhance the storytelling.
Shen Yun’s performance line-up this year includes a theme of good-versus-evil, as pointed out by the emcees, that ranges from the dynasties thousands of years ago to present-day current events.
“The stories were great, particularly the Falun Gong. As an activist and free thinker, it’s nice to be reminded of that,” Mr. Castro said. “That has been going on in China for so long, so it’s nice to be reminded injustice happens all over the world.”
The dance Mr. Castro was referring to, The Choice, tells a story of a young man in China with the dream to serve and protect his country. However, when a dear friend of his is unjustly persecuted for her beliefs, he makes the choice to stand up for that freedom.
Along with the animated backdrop, the dances are accompanied by the Shen Yun Orchestra, which is unique in that in blends both classical Chinese instruments with a classical Western orchestra.
“Oh, I thought it was great! I particularly loved the traditional instruments. I love that, I love traditional,” Mr. Castro said. “I think [the message] is about preserving, so far, the traditional dance and Chinese culture.”
Shen Yun has three companies touring the world. Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company will perform at Houston’s Jones Hall through Tuesday, Dec. 27. For more information visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
