OTTAWA—Following continuous sold-out successes in Ottawa since 2007, world-renowned Shen Yun Performing Arts celebrated the launch of its fifth season in the nation’s capital on Tuesday.
As part of the New York-based dance company’s annual global tour, there will be four shows at the National Arts Centre over the December holiday season, said Dr. Jean Zhi, speaking on behalf of the Ottawa local presenters.
The high demand for the premier classical Chinese dance and music production is clear, Ms. Zhi noted.
“We had sold-out shows every year for the past four years in Ottawa. This year we’ll be bringing back this excellent show with another all-new program that will charm the audience.”
For last season’s three-show run in January 2010, by Christmas Eve 99 percent of the tickets were sold to see the non-profit cultural arts extravaganza in Southam Hall, the NAC’s largest performance space with a capacity of 2,323 seats.
One day before the opening, after all three shows sold out but the box office continued to receive requests from the public, the NAC made a rare exception to begin selling “standing room” tickets at the back of the theatre that are normally not offered for sale until 30 minutes before showtime.
“Shen Yun presents 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture and history through beautiful dance and music and an uplifting spirit,” Ms. Zhi said. “It is a precious ancestry that emphasizes virtue and kindness, but it has been lost in China today.”
Ms. Zhi noted that Shen Yun has grown to three full performing arts companies, each featuring over 100 artists, including winners of international competitions, along with a live orchestra that combines Western and Chinese classical instruments.
At the same time, the production showcases high-tech digitally animated backdrops that coordinate with the costumes, lighting, and even the storyline, choreography, and original musical score of every dance, she said.
Audience feedback has commended the high calibre of the show year after year.
