LOS ANGELES—“It’s got a lot of magic, and a lot of energy,” said film producer Deepak Naayar of Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company’s performance, during the intermission of Saturday afternoon’s sold-out show at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, in Los Angeles.
“I think it’s a wonderful show,” he said. “It’s beautiful—full of color, full of life.”
A Shen Yun performance takes the audience on a journey through China’s ancient culture through the medium of classical Chinese dance and music. It brings to life episodes, myths and legends of China’s 5,000 year history, melding ancient art forms with digital technology to create different worlds.
“A lot of great dancing, great cultural references, good storytelling, beautiful scenery,” Mr. Naayar said of Shen Yun’s performance. “I loved the way they mixed the visual elements with the live action elements, people traveling down the mountain, and suddenly you see them on the stage, so wonderfully done.”
He was referring to the way dancers are able to interact with the animated digital backdrop, appearing to be transported from the screen to the stage.
Mr. Naayar’s best-known work is the award-winning Bend It Like Beckham, but he is also known for the classic Buena Vista Social Club documentary.
He has a number of films in the pipeline due to come out this year but, for the moment, he could only talk about Shen Yun.
“Absolutely beautiful costumes, beautiful choreography. I think it’s all well-put together. It’s so wonderful—every moment is entertaining, and it’s good storytelling. I was very engaged by it.”
A New York based company, Shen Yun’s mission is to revive China’s traditional culture, which has been suppressed by the current regime in China. Internationally recognized, the company is not able to tour in China, but tours the rest of the world to acclaim.
Mr. Naayar said he had so enjoyed Shen Yun he would tell others to come and see it.
“It’s something very different, something they’ve never seen before,” he said. “They get to see a bit of cultural references and get to see some dancing references from China, get to see some beautiful choreography, costumes, and storytelling, all kinds. It’s just wonderful.”
“I think everybody should come and see it.”
Reporting by NTD Television 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 perform at The Music Center through Jan. 14.
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3WTKCEA4tE[/video]
