SAVANNAH, Ga.— After attending
Shen Yun’s matinee at the Johnny Mercer Theatre on Jan. 15, John McKinnon, a pharmacy owner, and his wife Cindy were amazed by how calming the performance was.
“It was very relaxing. There was a lot of activity, but it still is, in a way, very calming. It’s kind of hard to put into words the way [the performance] makes you feel,” Mr. McKinnon reflected. “[It’s] fantastic, ... impactful.”
Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s top classical Chinese
dance and music company.
In addition to solo performances and ethnic and
folk dances inspired by the various regions of China, Shen Yun presents short story-based dances that tell tales from ancient times to the modern day. Each year, the company returns with a brand-new set of programs.
“It’s beautiful. I like the dances and the
costumes, and the way they blend with the background is just beautiful,” Mrs. McKinnon said. “I enjoy how they tell the story so we know what’s about to happen. It’s a beautiful learning experience.”
“The storyline is very impressive and being able to follow it means a lot,” Mr. McKinnon added.
According to its website,
Shen Yun’s innovative digital technology creates seamless interaction between the backdrop projection and the performers on stage. “By extending the stage to infinite realms,” this patented 3-D invention allows for “storytelling without limits.”
Referring to
Shen Yun’s mission to revive China’s 5,000 years of divinely-inspired culture, Mr. McKinnon said that even without words, the performers’ values were clear to see.
“The many years of traditions, they are showing through. I can see that as I’m watching the young dancers’ faces—you can get a sense, a deep feeling, that there is a thread within that [connects them] to their heritage.”
The couple couldn’t wait to share this traditional culture with their grandkids.
“We have four grandchildren and we’d really love to be able to bring them,” Mr. McKinnon said. “They’re probably not at an age right now to make these kinds of [cultural] connections. That’s why we’re thinking [to bring them] when they get older—I’m sure [Shen Yun] will be going on forever.”
“When you see something like [Shen Yun], you want all your family members to receive it,” said Mr. McKinnon.
Reporting by NTD and Jennifer Tseng.
