“It is incredible. I have never seen anything like it before. The dancers are incredibly graceful – so much emotion and feeling. It is a really quiet moving.”
“There is a real emotional investment in the dance to try to communicate something to us, and I am very moved by the fact that this would not been allowed in their native land. So, it’s a very bittersweet thing, but I feel very privileged to be able to see this and learn about the culture. My mother-in-law is there, and my children have been looking forward to this for a long time.”
“[The dancers’ facial expressions are] really an exceptional thing. They are so invested in what they do and so deeply connected to what they do. I’ve seen lots of shows all over the world. … This is some of the best I’ve ever seen.”
“They are doing a fantastic job [reviving traditional Chinese culture]. I don’t think there’s anywhere else that I think I’d ever go to see this because there is such a powerful message behind it.
“The message is one of peace, and one of spirituality, and trying to bridge the divide between generations. It shows that we’re all one.”
“The backdrop is so amazing, how the characters appear, and it’s flawless how they jump on stage – it’s really an amazing thing.
“The orchestra is absolutely first rate. I have the ability to see right here. We’re all musicians here. My son is a harpist, so he’s sitting right here by the harp; he’s just loving that. My other one plays piano, and my daughter plays violin, so we’re being able to see just exceptional musicians – highly well trained; just flawless. The whole thing altogether is an amazing sight.”
“I was really moved by the scene in the 1990s where you had the [Falun Gong] students who were accosted by the police; I was very moved by that. And to hear that it’s still going on is very troubling, but I feel very glad to see that. I’m glad that they feel comfortable sharing that. I think it’s important for my children to see that amidst all this beauty, there is still struggle to bring that beauty to us, and it doesn’t come without sacrifice. It’s very important.
“It elevates it to a very different level. It’s not just art – there are very positive and important statements: That this should be allowed to come to us; that they should not stand in the way of people leading their dreams.”
“[I’m touched by] the combination of the beautiful, original music and the impassioned dancing, and the stories, and the universality of all of it. It’s overwhelming in a very beautiful way.”
“Dance and music has the ability to transcend words. There are things that I find myself thinking and feeling and experiencing on a much deeper level than if it had just been spoken to me. To watch it communicates a great deal, and you’re not really prepared for how much it’s going to communicate until you really watch it, especially if you’ve not ever seen anything like this with such integrity.
“So, I feel very fortunate to be here; I really do.”
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime, indescribable, very moving thing that they (friends) would have to be here to experience. It’s very hard to communicate, but once you’re here, you feel it immediately – how powerful it is. I would say come, come and don’t miss it for anything in the world.
“It’s really amazing. We wanted for many years to come here, but I don’t think I realized how powerful it would be just sitting here and being in front of the dancers and musicians to see the passion that comes through; it’s really amazing.”
“I would encourage anyone to just go out of your way to make sure you can see this. Again, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I can’t wait to come back again.”
