COSTA MESA, Calif.–Shen Yun Performing Arts World Company captivated its audience at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Sunday, Feb. 2. Once such audience member was Craig Shah, a designer and jewelry storeowner.
“The show was simply amazing,” said Mr. Shah. “I have no words.”
Established in 2006, New York-based Shen Yun is a non-profit organization working to bring 5,000 years of Chinese civilization to life through the performing arts. Having performed in front of millions of people across some 20 countries and 100 cities, Shen Yun has become widely recognized as a global phenomenon.
Mr. Shah is the owner of four jewelry stores under the name Craig Shelly Fine Jewelry and Timepieces. He has locations in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Brea, and Rancho Cucamonga. He designs jewelry and watches, specializing in platinum and 18K gold with diamonds.
“I have never seen anything like this before,” Mr. Shah disclosed. “I’ve seen a lot of shows…but live performance with immaculate accuracy—every single time—was just breathtaking.”
According to the Shen Yun website, “A Shen Yun performance features the world’s foremost classically trained dancers, a unique orchestra blending East and West, and dazzling animated backdrops—together creating one spectacular performance.”
Mr. Shah said that he was also very touched and overwhelmed by the message he found at the heart of the show.
“It tells you how kindness wins over evil, and I think if the world follows this show—the Shen Yun show and the story and the moral of the Shen Yun show—there will be no more problems in this world,” Mr. Shah said.
He saw this theme again in the lyrics of the songs performed by Shen Yun’s award-winning vocalists.
“Basically it actually tells you, be kind. And kindness will go far and beyond,” explained Mr. Shah. “So hold on to your kindness and that will take you to the heaven.”
As the website states,“ Principles such as benevolence and justice, propriety and wisdom, respect for the heavens, and divine retribution, all come to life, washing over the audience. Originating from Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, these ideals are the essence of traditional Chinese culture.”
As a designer, Mr. Shah was particularly impressed with the visual display before his eyes.
“I love the color combination and the costumes are just out of the world. They are simply breath-taking. I think the way the whole choreography and the way the art and the design was, was out of this world. It was brilliant,” he said.
“I just simply couldn’t take my eyes off of them.”
In Mr. Shah’s opinion, the experience of watching Shen Yun perform is not something to be missed.
“I’m definitely going to recommend my mother, my sister, and entire family come and see it because I think it really enlightens you,” said Mr. Shah.
“Each act was an act of perfection,” he added. “It kept me onto my seat, and I kept wanting more and more.”
Reporting by Mandy Huang and Morgan Bradley
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform around the world. Shen Yun’s World Company will perform in the Greater Los Angeles Area through February 8. 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 reaction since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
