PITTSBURGH—Shen Yun Performing Arts enchanted audience members with a revival of one of the most ancient cultures in the world at Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday.
Small business owner Jason Hamilton and his wife Heather gave high praise to the New York-based company.
“I thought the synchronized dancing was absolutely incredible,” said Mr. Hamilton. “The costumes were great, and the stories that they’re telling, as well, are very interesting and very uplifting.”
Shen Yun tours to more than 100 cities and 20 countries each year to present true Chinese culture—one that is divinely-inspired and 5,000 years old, according to the company’s website.
“Through the universal language of music and dance, Shen Yun weaves a wondrous tapestry of heavenly realms, ancient legends and heroic modern-day epics,” the Shen Yun site states. “Shen Yun presents themes of compassion and courage with stunning beauty and tremendous energy, leaving audiences uplifted and inspired.”
Mrs. Hamilton said the performance was beautiful. “Absolutely, visually stunning,” she said. “The dancers are phenomenal, the music—the whole package—is just really enjoyable.”
Classical Chinese dance is the core of a Shen Yun performance. Requiring training in movements, postures, and very difficult jumping and tumbling techniques, the dance form is both one of the oldest in existence and one of the most difficult to master.
“Alongside ballet, classical Chinese dance is one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world,” states the Shen Yun website.
Mr. Dave Clark, a banker at BNY Mellon who also saw Shen Yun on Saturday, said the dancing was beautiful and the costumes were gorgeous.
Handmade costumes, digital backdrops, and an orchestra that blends Eastern and Western traditions accentuate the dancers.
Mr. Clark’s wife Debbie said she loved the costumes, “and the gracefulness of the dancers and the intricate choreography.”
“It’s beautiful,” she said. “A wonderful, beautiful experience.”
Reporting by NTD Television, Pamelia Tsai, 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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