COSTA MESA, Calif.—Stanton Rowe, chief scientific officer of Edwards Life Sciences, and his wife, Chiyo Rowe, brought their family to the newly named Segerstrom Center for the Arts on Mother’s Day.
Mr. Rowe had much to say about the performance. “It was superb. Incredible artistry, I like the regional references, and the historical references have been wonderful,” he said.
Regarding the performance, he said, “And the power of the dancers is amazing. The athletic capability … I think not only [are they] very skilled, but as a group they work together beautifully. You can see a lot of incredible harmony in their movements, and you have variety in each dance, which is really fun to watch.”
“I think that each of the pieces has it’s own feeling associated with it. … One piece was … [about human rights]. It spoke of what’s going on in China today. And then, some are humorous like the piece with Pigsey. So I think each one of the pieces has it’s own sense of emotion and story that it’s telling,” he said.
“They tell a pretty story and it’s understandable [to Westerners].”
He liked the backdrop that adds a multi-dimensional effect to the performance and said, “I also like the visual behind it.”
The Shen Yun Performing Arts Orchestra adds a one-of-a-kind experience, being the only orchestra in the world that combines both Eastern and Western instrumentation into the same musical pieces, and is discernible to the Western ear. “And of course, the orchestra here is beautifully complimentary as well,” said Mr. Rowe.
When asked if the family outing was a Mother’s Day gift to his wife, he laughed, saying. “Well, she bought the tickets. We thought it would be fun for the whole family.”
Mr. Rowe added, “My children are enjoying it too.”
Mrs. Rowe said, “I looked on the Internet and the information there was all very, very good. That it was a very good show and very entertaining and interesting. So I bought the tickets.”
Mrs. Rowe talked about what she learned from the performance: “I think it provides insights about how [Chinese] history is viewed, how the current … situation is viewed. A sense of history and pride, which is wonderful. I think this is a great way for people to get to know Chinese culture, much better, in a very enjoyable way as well.”
She added, “The energy of the dancers, and the mixing of the dancing with the high tech images. It’s interesting too that such a large troupe can be based in New York.”
When asked if the children were interested and if they learned something from the performance, she said, “Yes. Definitely, definitely.”
Reporting by Jana Li and Robin Kemker.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
