SAN FRANCISCO—Dr. John Manoyan, Ph.D., Founding Partner of West End Resources LLC, an investment advisory firm, and his wife, Susan Manoyan, attended Shen Yun Performing Arts’ third offering at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco Thursday evening.
Shen Yun continues to charm audiences in the City by the Bay with its vivid presentation of authentic, traditional, classical Chinese culture.
Based in New York, Shen Yun’s mission as stated in its program book is to “reclaim and renew the true, divinely-inspired cultural heritage of China.”
“I think it’s a fantastic show,” Dr. Manoyan said. “I like it very much. It was a nice surprise to see that references to Buddha and free exercise of religion and speech were included in the numbers. The references to the Falun Gong, Tibet, the monks. The numbers that have to do with Buddhism are very interesting.”
One of the many ways in which the rich 5,000-year Chinese culture has been passed down has been in the form of classical Chinese dance.
“The dancing is incredible,” said Dr. Manoyan. He was struck by the degree of choreography, coordination and skill required to execute the dance numbers. “The techniques are fantastic,” he said. “It involves a very high degree of fitness in order to be able do that.”
Mrs. Manoyan concurred. “I think it’s beautifully executed and choreographed. ... It’s artistically magnificent,” she said.
Shen Yun’s performances feature a unique, one-of-a-kind digital backdrop that functions as stunning visual set pieces, as well as being interactive with the stage and dancers. There is nothing else like it in the world, and it leaves a lasting impression on theatergoers the world over.
Mrs. Manoyan was no exception. “The stories and the juxtaposition of the screen in the back with the performers coming toward the front into real life is phenomenal,” she said.
Shen Yun’s orchestra features an impressive and incomparable combination of classical Chinese and Western musical instruments that enthralls the audience and moves in exquisite synchronization with the dancers.
Both Dr. and Mrs. Manoyan agreed that “the costumes are magnificent” and “the music is first class.”
It is a “must-see,” Dr. Manoyan says of the show. “You have to see it. You have to see it to understand it.”
Reporting by Youzhi Ma and Paul Wilson-Young.
Shen Yun’s New York Company will be in San Francisco until Jan. 8, 2012. New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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