FORT MYERS, Fla.—Before Ernie Kramer saw Shen Yun bring ancient Chinese culture to Fort Myers’ Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, he thought it more suitable for women. However, the blog writer, was pleasantly surprised.
“Yes, as a man I thought it would be more of a woman’s show, but it’s not. It appeals to both sexes,” he said.
Mr. Kramer was with Georgina Kruchko at the New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts, the world’s premier company of classical Chinese dance and music, on Friday, Feb. 10.
Ms. Kruchko is a retired retail store president and vice president of Wild Bird Gard and Nature stores.
“I think the show is wonderful. I’m actually amazed ... I was wondering how [Shen Yun] could only come for two days ... the props and the scenery are all on the screen, so all they had to bring were the actors and the costumes,” she said.
Mr. Kramer was impressed with the way Shen Yun put the production together. “They coordinated the live action with the back screen. It was wonderful,” he said.
“With state-of-the-art graphics technology, Shen Yun’s digital-backdrop team creates vividly animated settings, extending the stage and transporting the audience to a world where heaven and earth are one,” the Shen Yun website says.
She loved the dance Mongolian Chopsticks, while he loved them all.
An additional creative aspect of the backdrop is how the digital animation and dancers on stage interact, where the animated characters descend from the screen and disappear precisely as the dancers on the stage reappear.
For Ms. Kruchko, she thought the Chinese dance was “fabulous,” adding that Shen had exceeded her expectations.
“We expected a lot and it came true,” she said.
Shen Yun stages mainly classical Chinese dance, as well as some folk dances from China’s diverse ethnicities. The large-scale dance performances involve a large cast and intricate choreography.
“Very pretty girls, too, I am amazed how wonderfully they glide over the floor. They just glide very easily, very nice,” Mr. Kramer said.
Ms. Kruchko said. “I’ve not been exposed to a lot of Chinese dance, and I’ve enjoyed the commentators, the two people. I am amazed that … China is not respecting some of the dance and the history.”
Shen Yun was established in 2006 with aspirations to reawaken China’s 5,000 year history, almost destroyed under decades of communist rule.
“I think it’s good to share the culture, absolutely,” Ms. Kruchko said.
Mr. Kramer said it was interesting to see “the other side of the world,” as presented by Shen Yun.
“Everybody has their own ways and the Chinese have been doing it for a lot more years than we have, and they’re very good. The symbolism is just great. Here you can pick up on it, very nice.”
“And the history, you can’t lose your history,” Ms. Kruchko said. “You can’t lose your culture, so it is kind of amazing—and it’s come full circle.”
Both agreed to tell their friends and family that they must see Shen Yun. “I would tell them it’s a piece of culture and dance and artistry that shouldn’t be missed,” Ms. Kruchko said.
Reporting by Edie Bassen and Raiatea Tahana-Reese
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.
