HOUSTON—Walter Wilson, a finance consultant, has visited China, but said he didn’t see anything like Shen Yun Performing Arts there. Mr. Wilson said he enjoyed seeing “the presentation of the history—the culture from China,” and also enjoyed some glimpses into Buddhist influences in Chinese civilization.
“It is amazing that are some similarities” between Western and Eastern belief systems, said Mr. Wilson. “ It is amazing, the similarities,” he said.
He and his wife Debra Wilson saw Shen Yun at Houston Jones Hall for the Performing Arts on the evening of Dec. 30.
The New York-based performing arts company, with its “mission to revive the 5,000 year old, divinely inspired culture of China,” left him with more knowledge about the world’s most populous nation.
According to the Shen Yun website, persecution under China’s communist party has meant that only artists outside of China have the freedom to portray the nation’s ancient culture.
Mrs. Wilson said she was also thrilled that Shen Yun presented performances about contemporary China, and the ongoing persecution.
“I know it took a lot of work, a lot of dedication. I really admire their stand, to present the true culture of China, and the struggle that is still there for the people who are still in China,” she said.
“We enjoyed tonight greatly,” she said.
Tax accountant Christina Huang heard about Shen Yun last year, but missed her chance to see the performance. This year, when she saw the performance advertised she made sure she got her ticket.
“The show is fantastic. The dancers are very good, and the orchestra was very impressive,” she said.
The music also touched her ... “the singers. I loved the singers. Their voices were so—you feel like you’re in heaven … everything looked so great. I will come back again and get my children to watch it,” she said.
Shen Yun’s performances are framed by animated digital backdrops, reflecting “China’s multifaceted geography, society, regions, and dynasties,” according to the Shen Yun website. “Some scenes even transcend this world, entering a heavenly palace where fairies dance amidst mystical clouds or peering into the solemn majesty of a Buddhist paradise.”
Ms. Huang said she enjoyed the characters flying between the background and the stage.
“It was very real … This is a very impressive show—you couldn’t find this in China. This is very nice,” she said.
She said Shen Yun comes to Houston once a year, and she was going to encourage people to see the performance.
With reporting by NTD Television and Sarah Matheson.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun’s International Company will be performing in Houston through January 1. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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