LAS VEGAS—Shen Yun Performing Arts opened its tour of the southwest in Las Vegas at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts Feb. 21.
Abid Goghumen, a former automobile executive, attended Friday’s performance with a friend.
“Very well done,” said Mr. Goghumen at intermission.
The dancing, he said, stuck out in particular. A Shen Yun performance consists primarily of short dance pieces, portraying stories and aspects of Chinese culture through classical Chinese dance, as well as ethnic and folk dances.
Each dance is supported by original music played by the Shen Yun Orchestra. Shen Yun’s website describes the orchestra: “The Shen Yun Orchestra masterfully blends two of the world’s greatest classical music traditions. Ancient Chinese instruments such as the soul-stirring erhu and the delicate pipa lead the melody on top of a full orchestra of Western strings, percussion, woodwinds, and brass. The Western orchestra with its energy and grandeur, and the Chinese instruments with their distinct tones and styles, create a dramatic new sound.”
Interspersed between the dance pieces are operatic singing pieces, performed in bel canto style with Chinese lyrics with a translation projected on the digital backdrop. This backdrop also adds vividness to all the dances, painting the scenery, whether it is Chinese landscapes or heavenly kingdoms.
“Good production, nicely done,” said Mr. Goghumen, awaiting the second half of the show.
Reporting by Albert Roman and Ben Bendig
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.
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.
