CHICAGO—Billie Oshana, dancer and dance instructor, summed up her experience of Shen Yun Performing Arts as: “It’s got every element, it’s got everything, its got costumes, it’s got technique, the humor, it’s got beautiful music. What’s not to like?”
She had just seen Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company, the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, perform at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theater, on May 12.
Shen Yun takes the audience through 5,000 years of culture from ancient times to the present, bringing to life beloved myths, legends and history.
Ms. Oshana, who was at the performance with two other dancers, said: “We notice things like where they’re spotting [technique used during the execution of turns], how they would do their feet ... I like how they’re all spotting in the same way. It’s like they’re a team but then there’s a little bit of individuality too. I like that; it kind of catches you by surprise.”
“I loved the cultural history, the richness of it,” said Maurel Samonte, who teaches lyrical and belly dance, and is a former classical ballet teacher. “It’s just visually stunning. I appreciate the technique that’s put in the aerial walk-overs, aerial cart wheels … there is so much effort and work put into something like that.”
What Ms. Samonte and Ms. Oshana were describing were elements of “classical Chinese dance which is at the heart of what Shen Yun does. Known for its incredible flips and spins, and its gentle elegance, it is one of the most rigorous and expressive art forms in the world,” explains the Shen Yun website.
“I think it’s extraordinary. It’s very unique, the colors were beautiful and they look like they’re [the dancers are] floating,” said Ms. Oshana. “You can tell they’ve had a lot of training, a lot of work went into this.”
“It’s a culturally excellent show because you’re not only just getting dance ... you’re also getting opera, symphony and classical music. I also play the piano, so I appreciate all of this,” Ms. Samonte said.
Ms. Oshana added: “The way the costumes are ... stunning. Reminds me never to wear black when I’m on stage. … I think every girl should wear clothes like that [like the Shen Yun dancers]. Forget normal clothes, let’s wear that.” The three women all agreed.
Shen Yun’s emcees give brief introductions prior to each of the pieces. “What I like most is the little audience participation with the American host and Chinese host, that was good too,” said Ms. Samonte. “I think it’s just excellent, and making it accessible to the American audiences too.”
She explains: “My mum is a quarter Chinese, so I’m proud of my Chinese heritage. Just hearing the history … I appreciate that.”
The third dancer and belly dancer instructor, Vanessa Olivera, said she liked the humor in some of the pieces.
She was pleased that she was able to take the program booklet home with her as a memento of the wonderful evening.
Reporting by Catherine Wen and Cat Rooney
Shen Yun Performing Arts, based in New York, tours the world on a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. 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.
