KNOXVILLE, Tenn.—Shen Yun Performing Arts intends to revive Chinese civilization, and two of that civilization’s core values were filial piety and loyalty. Both virtues were evident when Mr. Sylvan Marsh and his wife Mrs. Laverne Marsh celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by seeing Shen Yun at the Tennessee Theater on Feb. 13.
Their son treated them to the tickets, and their son and daughter accompanied the loyal couple to the theater. “My son is giving my wife and me a 50th anniversary present,” Mr. Marsh said, with a happy expression. It was also an early Valentine’s day celebration, he said.
Mr. Marsh was a manager for Whirlpool, and is now retired.
“It was great!” Mr. Marsh said. “I enjoyed the story it told, and the dancing.”
Shen Yun draws on China’s rich trove of history and stories to create its narrative dances. Classic Chinese novels such as Journey to the West and Outlaws of the Marsh, and historic figures such as Emperor Tang Taizong, founder of the Tang Dynasty, all provided inspiration for this year’s Shen Yun performance.
Though he said he had been to the theater, which is an opulent gilt and scarlet former movie palace, he had never seen anything like Shen Yun. It was entirely unique, in his opinion.
The overall experience was “Spectacular. Good performers. The colors were great,” Mr. Marsh said.
He found the orchestra and the singers exciting and uplifting. “You don’t go to sleep in here, that’s for sure!” he said with a laugh.
Mr. Marsh’s son was carrying on the theme of filial piety. He brought the car to the entrance of the theater so his respected parents did not have to walk in the cold, damp night.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun will give four shows in Nashville from Feb. 15-17. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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