SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Couple Acclaim Shen Yun as Mesmerizing, Uplifting

Feb 09, 2014
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Couple Acclaim Shen Yun as Mesmerizing, Uplifting
John and Kerry Schultz at the Shen Yun performance at the Mahaffey Theater on Feb. 6, 2014. (Marie Yeung/Epoch Times)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—John Schultz has traveled to China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan many times, but he said he has never seen a performance like Shen Yun.

Based in New York, Shen Yun Performing Arts has a mission to revive China’s divinely inspired culture, which has been suppressed by Chinese communist regimes since the Cultural Revolution.

The world-renowned classical Chinese dance and music company travels the globe each year, showcasing the traditional culture. Taiwan has been one of Shen Yun’s annual stops, but the company is currently not allowed to perform in China.

Mr. Schultz, a retired building inspector, saw the Shen Yun performance at the Mahaffey Theater on Thursday evening with his wife, Kerry, who used to be in the cosmetics industry.

“It’s mesmerizing,” Mrs. Schultz said of the performance.

“I just love the interaction between the orchestra, the dancers, the graphics,” her husband added. “All in one—fantastically done.”

The Shen Yun Orchestra is unique in that it combines classical Western instruments with Chinese instruments. The orchestra plays original scores that accompany the dance performances.

The graphics that Mr. Schultz referred to are digital backdrops that have animated effects. The backdrops create scenes from celestial palaces from China’s myths and legends to beautiful landscapes in different parts of the Middle Kingdom.

“Everything they did with the backdrop was awesome. It’s just phenomenal,” Mrs. Schultz said.

She also admired the hundreds of handmade costumes in the performances. “The costuming is beautiful,” she said.

“Wow! Colorful—the colors!” Mr. Schultz added about the costumes.

He said Shen Yun leaves audiences with a happy feeling: “It’s very nice, uplifting.”

With reporting by Marie Yeung

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.