DALLAS—Shen Yun Performing Arts’ second performance at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas, Dec. 17, impressed Fatima Hasin Ali, Constituents Services liaison for Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson.
She and her husband, Mr. Adnan Ali, found the New York-based company’s presentation of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization to be breathtakingly rich.
“It’s exceptional! I don’t have words for it right now—it’s that good,” Mrs. Ali said.
Mrs. Ali said she couldn’t believe there were aspects of the show she hadn’t experienced anywhere else.
“The voices of the singers are just so magical. They get to you, they really do,” she said. “And plus, just how colorful these performances are—you’re waiting for more!
“As soon as the intermission happened, I [felt] why, why can’t this go on? I think it’s just incredible. In fact, it’s my privilege, it’s our privilege to watch this show, so we’re all just really thankful [Shen Yun] is here.”
Shen Yun’s performances feature classical Chinese dance, which is unique in many ways, including the expression of “bearing,” which can be described as the dancer’s inner spirit, and rigorous tumbling and flipping techniques.
The dances are accompanied by the Shen Yun Orchestra, which features a unique blend of Chinese and Western instruments. An animated, digital backdrop complements and synchronizes all aspects of the performance, transporting theatergoers into a wide range of settings.
“The graphics are incredible the way you can’t really tell the differences between the backdrop and the folk that are performing,” Mrs. Ali said.
Her husband agreed: “Instead of using background props, the use of graphics was much richer. It was definitely much richer, being able to appreciate that.”
Mr. Ali said seeing a staged performance like Shen Yun’s was “absolutely amazing.” “The performances were great from the very beginning—very colorful. … It was definitely great,” he said.
Many of the dances told stories, such as the Joyous Little Monks, which told a story of young monks in a secluded monastery putting their hearts into their work, tidying up the temple with “fun and humorous results,” according to the program.
“I loved that. [Joyous Little Monks] was very, very cute,“ Mrs. Ali said. ”And I think that’s what you can appreciate—it’s how they bring it to life.”
Mrs. Ali said she appreciated that it was more than just a show where you come to enjoy colors and then go home.
“I think you go home with a very thoughtful experience of how rich the culture really is,” she said.
‘Every Element of Art’
Also in the audience was Donna Femright, an interior designer who felt Shen Yun had “every element of art.”
“It has movement, it has color. The colors are fantastic! It has rhythm, the music, the live orchestra. You know, a lot of performances you go to nowadays, it’s not live music, and that’s just another dimension this show has to offer,” Ms. Femright said.
Ms. Femright was also impressed with the athleticism of the performers. “They’re phenomenal … because they’re just so talented. It’s just so amazing to watch,” she said.
“The show was phenomenal, it had so many dynamic features, from the costumes to the performers—their grace and elegance.
“It was a very special evening and I think a show anyone would just really love to come and see. It’s got room for everyone, family from every age. And it’s got so many different varieties of dance, and like I said, the costumes were spectacular.”
With reporting by New Tang Dynasty TV and Catherine Yang
Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company will perform at Winspear Opera House through Sunday, Dec. 18. For more information visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
