TULSA, Okla.—A stage awash in color and action brought a standing ovation, cheers, and even a few whistles for the Shen Yun Performing Arts 2009 World Tour performance in Tulsa’s historic Performing Arts Center on March 18.
For just one night, the world-class extravaganza of China’s 5,000-year-old culture graced a packed Chapman Music Hall, which seats 2,365 theatergoers.
Henry, a graphic artist, and his friend, Andrea, were in the audience.
“It was beautiful, every minute there was always action and … music. I love music ... and the arts. It was very entertaining,” Henry said.
Andre loved the beauty Shen Yun displayed. “I love Asian culture, so I was really glad they finally came to Oklahoma and it’s … really, really exquisite.”
“I love to draw faces, I love to capture faces and also culture because my mom is Jamaican, and my father is Italian. We love to eat, and we also love to hear music, to sing, and dance,” Henry said.
As an artist, Henry thought the digitally enhanced backdrop scenes of vast plains, billowing waves, clouds, majestic palaces, and temples were impressive.
“The backdrops ... very well done, very interactive, and clear. The clarity—for as big as it was—I was very impressed, and coming from an artist, that means a lot. It was very colorful.”
Andrea was also taken by the seamless interchange between screen and stage, with each dance matching perfectly the music and scene.
“I think it ran very smoothly, even when they changed. It was just awesome. It was so bright and wonderful, and it was really detailed—very fine and very nice.”
Erhu player Ms. Xiaochun Qi enchanted the audience with her stirring performance.
“Let me say something about the two-stringed erhu. I love that instrument, and whenever I compose, I get a lot of inspiration from it because it is so simple. But then again, it is so complex, so you can get a vast variety of sounds from that little thing ... so I would just sit there and enjoy every minute of it,” Henry said.
Andrea agreed. “Yes—the music was amazing! I love the drums ... just the energy of the drums. And the operatic voices were just so powerful and just so soothing, and it was just all so amazing. It is so nice that if finally came to Tulsa.”
Henry enjoyed the whole presentation, which has been hailed worldwide as “brilliant,” “breathtaking,” and “glorious,” and said he felt inspired to reach a higher standard. “Especially for my artwork, to take time [with] each detail, it’s so very important.
“The smallest thing in the dances—we watched them, as their heads nodded, or just the flick of the wrist. It was very controlled, and it can relate to my artwork because in art, when you are drawing, you have to take your time if you want to do a masterpiece, and a lot of times I want to rush things. You can tell when I do take the time, so it was an inspiration to me for that.”
Andrea added, “I thought it was very respectful. … The slight movement that you make means something. Everything, no matter how small, it means something. Whether it is positive or negative, it means something, and it’s just so beautiful.”
As a singer, Andrea was moved by the impassioned arias sung by award-winning soloists. “The singing really did touch me. It was just so awesome—just how on-point everyone was, no mess-ups, no flaws. Everything was just picture-perfect, and you couldn’t ask for more. It was just great.
“We had a glorious night. This was so special for me. I bought the book and am super excited to look over the pictures again.”
Writer: ‘I loved the drums’
Ms. Burgess, a writer who has lived in Tulsa for two years after spending 28 years in Hawaii, also attended the performance.
“This was the most fabulous and extravagant, and we’re only halfway through—colorful, beautiful, rich! I am so touched.” She praised the beautiful Chinese culture presented by the show: “I want to thank you for a marvelous evening. It’s just fantastic.”
Asked which pieces she found inspiring, Ms. Burgess said: “Oh my gosh! I loved the drums. The most inspiring was the spring flowers [Welcoming Spring] and those umbrellas and everything. Just every single piece has been exquisite, every single piece.”
The show’s powerful drum rhythms have been thrilling crowds since Shen Yun started its world tour last year. Welcoming Spring has been a favorite among audience members.
Ms. Burgess said, “Well, I just learned to admire a different culture and to appreciate a different culture and to respect a different culture.”
NTDTV contributed to this report.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Shen Yun Performing Arts 2009 World Tour. For more information please visit shenyunperformingarts.org
