DETROIT—Shen Yun Performing Arts’ presentation of classical Chinese dance and music at the Detroit Opera House, Jan. 28, became a girl’s night out for mother and daughter.
Karen Spencer, a logistics management specialist for Department of Defense, attended with her daughter, Ishan, after seeing the New York-based company’s performance advertised.
“She enjoys Asian cultures. I thought this would be a really nice show for her to see,” Mrs. Spencer said. “We thought we'd make a girls’ night out.”
Shen Yun’s internationally-acclaimed revival of ancient China’s 5,000-year-old divinely imparted heritage through to the present didn’t disappoint them.
“It was lovely. I love the colors, the dance, the gracefulness of the show, very nice, very well done,” she said.
Classical Chinese dance is a complete system consisting of three components—bearing, form and technical skill, including flips, turns and high leaps, the company website says.
“I just enjoyed everything about the show. The costuming was so beautiful and graceful. That was the thing that stood out for me. The vibrant colors—that stood out.”
Also unique to Shen Yun is the digitally-enhanced backdrop with its breathtaking scenery that interacts seamlessly between stage and projected screen.
“The background was interesting—I thought that was beautiful,” said Mrs. Spencer.
Her daughter Ishan, who is studying business administration at Oakland Community College, enjoys all cultures.
“It’s a really rich culture, and they go far back,” she said of the ancient Chinese culture. “The way they carry themselves, the way they help each other out, it’s actually really beautiful.”
She was also taken by the “gracefulness and strength” of the dancers, saying classical Chinese dance was “a lot more technical” than most dances.
Also, the backdrop was beautiful, she said. “The way they would jump from the stage and then it would go on to the screen. I thought that was very innovative.”
She was enthralled to see the dramatic re-enactment of the legendary Monkey King.
“I read that story a while ago. When they said you get to see a story about the Monkey King, I talked to my mom, ‘I know about that, I read it.’ It was really awesome to see it on stage.”
Reporting by Valerie Avore and Raiatea Tahana-Reese
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
