BUFFALO, New York—As a floral designer who has traveled to the Orient and been impressed by the gracefulness of the people there, Jackie LoVullo was eager to see Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company when it came to Buffalo this weekend as part of its 2011 World Tour.
“It’s beautiful, fabulous,” said the owner of ZenJoy, an arts business in Williamsville, New York, which features unique, whimsical wreaths that are individually designed and handcrafted by Ms. LoVullo for her customers and friends.
“When the show came, I just could not wait to see it, and I find it so soothing, relaxing. The artistry is beautiful, the gracefulness of the dancers—just magnificent,” she said during intermission at Shen Yun’s Saturday matinee performance at Shea’s Performing Arts Center.
Ms. LoVullo, who is also a member of Artists in Buffalo, especially noticed the quality of the visual arts presented in the Shen Yun production.
She praised the striking digital backdrops projected behind the dancers on the stage, many of which are animated to coordinate with the choreography. The backdrops complement the colors of the costumes, and enhance the storyline of their respective dances.
She highlighted one of the dances that told the story of a school teacher in today’s China who is persecuted by the communist regime for her belief in the Falun Dafa spiritual faith.
“The background showing the—I call them angels—that were coming in to rescue the teacher from the classroom—beautiful,” said Ms. LoVullo, describing the animation that brought to life the ancient Chinese belief that good will be rewarded and evil will be punished.
In the scene, divine beings descend from heaven and then appear as actors on the stage.
“How [the backdrops] show the people coming in from the background to the stage, just magnificently done,” Ms. LoVullo said.
New York-based Shen Yun was founded in 2006 with a mission to revive the traditional Chinese culture, which the ancient Chinese believed to have been divinely bestowed.
It is an endeavor which resonates with Ms. LoVullo.
“I meditate and I’m very spiritual,” she explained.
“It was beautiful, just beautiful, I’d see it again, and I look forward to the second half,” Ms. LoVullo said.
Reporting by Lily Zheng and Cindy Chan.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
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