LOS ANGELES—James Torvinen, Props Master in the television business was impressed by the Shen Yun Performing Arts presentation at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion on Jan. 14.
“I love the pageantry and color,” he said of the New York-based company’s potrayal of China’s 5,000-year history brought through to the present times. “I got to learn more about the Chinese culture which I didn’t know much about [before]—very enjoyable.”
Shen Yun provides a snapshot of China’s divinely-inspired heritage adapted from heroic legends, ethnic and folk tales, and modern day stories in classical Chinese dance and music.
One such legend Mr. Torvinen enjoyed was the beloved story of The Monkey King.
“I was a little familiar with [Monkey King] because of a [particular] movie,” he said. “The different deities coming from the heavens and helping rescuing. That was interesting and fun, because it’s not something you normally see in performances here in America—other cultures and beliefs,” he said. “It’s good to get that knowledge from other cultures.”
Mr. Torvinen also loved “all kinds of music from places all over the world,” including the unique mix of ancient Eastern with modern Western instruments.
Furthermore, he enjoyed the brilliant display of color. “The colors are great, so vibrant … All of the colors have a meaning to them. Light being good and dark not so good ... kind of a universal use of color that I really enjoyed.”
And he felt the animated backdrops enriched the dances, songs, and soloist performances.
As a Props Master, his job is to provide anything an actor would need in television or movies, “It’s my job to find it, rent it, build it … I make that happen,” said Mr. Torvinen.
So it came as no surprise that he would take in as much detail and nuance as he could.
“The expressions on the women’s (female dancers) faces as they performed … we’re sitting so close, and everybody is smiling. The concentration is beautiful.”
Reporting by Lu Rusong and Maria Banks.
New York-based Shen Yun has three companies touring the world. Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company will next perform January 19-22, California Center for the Arts, San Diego
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
