SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Investment Manager Comes Back for a Second Shen Yun Performance

Feb 03, 2014
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Investment Manager Comes Back for a Second Shen Yun Performance
Michael O’Connor was back again for Shen Yun Performing Arts' matinee at Cleveland's State Theatre, Feb. 2. (Courtesy of NTD Television)

CLEVELAND—After seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts World Company perform at the State Theater both last evening, Michael O’Connor was back again for the Feb. 2 matinee. “I’m enjoying it very much!” was what the investment manager of a financial firm had to say.

Classical Chinese dancers, award-winning singers, and a full orchestra comprised of both Eastern and Western instruments allow New York-based Shen Yun to bring 5,000 years of Chinese civilization to the world.

“Learning more about China has always been a goal of mine,” O'Connor explained. “I didn’t realize what a spiritual race the Chinese have been, and I don’t know much about the religion. I do know a little about Buddhism and such, ... I’ve been very impressed with what I’ve seen so far with the first half of the show.”

Some of the 20 or so dance dramas depict stories and legends from ancient times, and some deal with China today. In particular, their are dances telling the stories of people of faith who are repressed.

“I’m interested in learning more about Falun Gong because I’m not really up to date on the discrimination that they’re feeling.” The followers have been severely persecuted in China since July 20, 1999.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa is an ancient practice of mind, body, and spirit that embraces the core principles of Truthfulness, Benevolence, and Tolerance.

Despite the heavy themes in some dances, there’s a certain sense of calmness and stillness that comes with being graceful. Shen Yun captures this quality while retaining a sense of excitement as well.

O'Connor expressed this idea by saying “The flow, the gentleness of the people, the gentleness of the music, the almost meditative quality of the entire show, the peacefulness, the serenity, the longevity is amazing! I’m quite delighted to be here!”

As to Shen Yun’s mission of preserving the traditional values and art forms of China: “I am very much in favor of that. I think all of the ancient cultures should be preserved as much as possible or as much as economically and theoretically possible. It’s a shame to let stuff like that die out,” he said.

With reporting by NTD Television and Andrew Darin

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.