PITTSBURGH—Shen Yun Performing Arts graced the stage at The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts on Feb. 1., enchanting the audience with a revival of one of the most ancient cultures in the world.
New York-based Shen Yun was formed to revive the ancient, divinely-inspired Chinese culture, after the culture was nearly decimated by the ruling communist regime.
“For 5,000 years divine culture blossomed in the land of China,” states Shen Yun’s website. “Mankind’s treasure was nearly lost, but through captivating music and dance, Shen Yun is bringing a divine culture back to life.”
Mr. Darryl Blecher, president at DRB Employee Benefit Services, has felt an affinity with Chinese culture since a young age.
Mr. Blecher said he enjoyed the dancing in the performance; classical Chinese dance is the core of the performance.
“China’s deep cultural traditions are contained in classical Chinese dance, allowing its movements to be richly expressive, such that the personalities and feelings of characters can be portrayed with unparalleled clarity,” explains Shen Yun’s website.
Ethnic and folk dance, along with handmade costumes, digital backdrops, and an orchestra that melds classical Western and traditional Chinese instruments, accentuates the dance form.
Mrs. Diana Fitch, Mr. Blecher’s wife, said she enjoyed how the dance pieces moved across history and China, showing different dynasties and eras and ethnic groups.
“You can see some of the personality of the different areas with what people think are funny in different places, and how they intrigue you and amuse you with different elements,” she said.
‘Absolutely beautiful’
Mrs. Valerie Lawrence, a psychologist, who attended the Feb. 1 performance as well, said it was “absolutely beautiful.”
“The history, the gracefulness, the dance movements—it’s something so different, we’re not accustomed to seeing anything like this,” she said. “And I find it quite lovely, I really do.”
Her husband, Mr. Phillip Bicken, said the finesse of the dancers, and how they were “floating through the motions” was light and spectacular.
“Anyone who appreciates art has to appreciate this,” he said.
Reporting by Frank Liang and Zachary Stieber
Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company will perform in Pittsburg until Feb. 3. Shen Yun Performing Arts, based in New York, tours the world on a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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