BUFFALO, N.Y.—“It’s a very beautiful show,” said Dianne Schultz after seeing the opening performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts at Shea’s Performing Arts Center on April 23 with her husband Duane. The Schultzes own a vineyard in the Niagara area.
“The way the stories are told and danced helps you understand the Chinese culture. It’s very interesting,” Ms. Schultz said.
New York-based Shen Yun stages exhilarating, colorful performances all over the globe. The company features classical Chinese dance, an ancient art form, as well as ethnic dances from different regions of China and musical performances. Shen Yun’s mission is to revive China’s divinely inspired culture.
Some of the dance pieces in Shen Yun tell a story, such as tales from ancient Chinese legends or stories from modern China inspired by true events.
“They’re showing the history and how the Chinese people at one time were relatively free, and since the communists took over they’re putting a lot of restrictions on their activities,” said Mr. Schultz.
Mr. Schultz added that he found the show “very educational.”
Ms. Schultz said she was very touched by the dance piece that shows a mother and daughter being persecuted in modern China for their beliefs and the inner meaning behind the piece—the depiction of “the sadness that’s there that they can’t continue their old cultures, old traditions.”
However, she adds, “There’s a lot of hope in that.”
“Through the universal language of music and dance, Shen Yun weaves a wondrous tapestry of heavenly realms, ancient legends, and modern heroic tales, taking you on a journey through 5,000 years of Chinese culture,” states the Shen Yun website.
Ms. Schultz said the show provides an opportunity to learn about China’s history.
“Chinese culture’s so old, such an old culture and we don’t get to see it. This is a chance for us to see through all the dynasties,” she said.
Reporting by Madalina Hubert
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.
