SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun Sells Out Four Consecutive Performances in Long Beach

Feb 12, 2015
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Shen Yun Sells Out Four Consecutive Performances in Long Beach
Shen Yun Performing Arts World Comapany say goodbye to the Long Beach audience at the Terrace Theater. (Epoch Times)

LONG BEACH, Calif.—Shen Yun Performing Arts World Company completed four consecutive sold out performances Feb. 8 at Terrace Theater. Since Jan. 22, audiences throughout the Greater Los Angeles Area have been dazzled, enchanted, mesmerized, and blessed—to put it in their own words—after experiencing Shen Yun.

All one needs to do is observe the excitement of young and old audience members as they meander in the lobby before a performance, how they wait in a line five or ten people deep to take photos with their families or friends on the red carpet in front of the Shen Yun backdrop, their smiles, their comments as they leave a performance and realize that Shen Yun has become a family destination.

Shen Yun is a non-profit, New York-based, classical Chinese music and dance company that seeks to revive the beauty and values of traditional Chinese culture, which have been all but lost after decades of rule by the Chinese Communist Party.

Each performance includes approximately 20 vignettes, each no longer than 10 minutes, that whisk audiences on a journey through 5,000 years of China’s divinely inspired civilization.

Myths, legends, and modern stories of courage come to life as ancient principles of benevolence, endurance, wisdom, and respect for the divine are presented in rich detail.

In addition to the world’s foremost classically trained dancers, Shen Yun includes a full, live orchestra that blends traditional Eastern and classical Western instruments and digital, animated backdrops that “infinitely expand and transform the stage,” according to the company website.

Audiences around the world have expressed their strong affinity for Shen Yun and appreciation for the feelings elicited while watching. Here’s what a handful of audience members at the Feb. 8 performances had to say.

‘It was as if Heaven Kissed Earth’

Victoria Constantin (R) saw Shen Yun Performing Arts with her husband, Michael (2nd from Left) and their two children Feb. 8 at Terrace Theater in Long Beach. (Jane Yang/Epoch Times)
Victoria Constantin (R) saw Shen Yun Performing Arts with her husband, Michael (2nd from Left) and their two children Feb. 8 at Terrace Theater in Long Beach. (Jane Yang/Epoch Times)

Victoria Constantin, who works in the mortgage industry, saw Shen Yun with her husband, Michael, director of a non-profit charity.

Mrs. Constantin said, “It was as if Heaven kissed earth; I will be back next year. And I will be looking forward to it.

“It was a touch of heaven. It was divine. Truly divine,” she said. “I’m so glad I got a chance to really experience a little bit of the Asian culture. It’s such a beautiful way, and so artistic.”

She enjoyed the erhu solo.

“The two-stringed instrument was beautiful. That was just, that was purely just genius. It was divine, divine! I keep saying divine because I believe it was God-inspired. I believe that it was truly a touch of heaven.”

She added,“The 2015 [performance] was amazing. And I’m sure 2016 will be incredible.”

‘Their Joy—it was Radiating’

Greg Vorst was moved after watching Shen Yun Performing Arts at Terrace Theater in Long Beach Feb. 8. (Courtesy of NTD Television)
Greg Vorst was moved after watching Shen Yun Performing Arts at Terrace Theater in Long Beach Feb. 8. (Courtesy of NTD Television)

Greg Vorst, a psychotherapist, said after watching Shen Yun, “Spiritually, I feel uplifted. I feel encouraged, hopeful.”

“The dancers, I could really feel their energy, their joy—it was radiating,” he continued. “The costumes were beautiful, and I loved the way they incorporated the costumes into the dance—so powerful, so moving, just so grateful to have seen it.”

Mr. Vorst said he became emotional while watching a vignette called The Power of Compassion, which depicts a story based on events happening in China today. In it, a violent police officer in the midst of persecuting Falun Dafa practitioners changes his ways after they help him recover from an injury.

“For me, the most touching, sentimental [piece]—I cried a lot—was during the scenes of forgiveness and compassion, the teaching of forbearance, compassion, truth, [and] acceptance of people.”

‘Wakes People Up’

Marjo Mitsuomi drove three hours to see Shen Yun Performing Arts Feb. 8 with her family at Terrace Theater in Long Beach. (Courtesy of NTD Television)
Marjo Mitsuomi drove three hours to see Shen Yun Performing Arts Feb. 8 with her family at Terrace Theater in Long Beach. (Courtesy of NTD Television)

Marjo Mitsutomi, a professor of language acquisition, traveled a long way to see Shen Yun.

She enjoyed the traditional values displayed during the performance and commented that Shen Yun “wakes people up to think about what is really important in life.”

“We traveled a few hours and spent a night in hotel to be sure we wouldn’t miss the show, so we definitely want to come back with a larger group,” she said.

She continued, “I had no idea there would be excellent story telling, that the [company] is as large as it was, and there was a full orchestra. It was absolutely amazing.”

“There are moments where you’re just breathless from experiencing what’s going on,” she added.

‘Very Heart-Opening’

Lisa and Craig Wagner after watching Shen Yun Performing Arts at Terrace Theater in Long Beach Feb. 8. (Jenny Liu/Epoch Times)
Lisa and Craig Wagner after watching Shen Yun Performing Arts at Terrace Theater in Long Beach Feb. 8. (Jenny Liu/Epoch Times)

Lisa Wagner, a psychotherapist, attended Shen Yun with her husband, Craig, an attorney for the film and television industry.

“The whole experience was very heart-opening and touched my heart,” Mrs. Wagner said. “I loved the show. It was fantastic. The dancers were exquisite, graceful, and looked like divine beings up there—divine entities moving—and it was fantastic.”

Shen Yun’s website explains that respect for the divine is at the heart of Chinese culture.

Mrs. Wagner said she enjoyed the piety displayed in the vignettes and that it was a great representation of the Chinese culture.

“It’s about purity and self-discipline and grace and elegance and caring for one another,” she said.

After the performance, Mr. Wagner said, “It’s inspiring to see what’s possible in the arts.”

‘Excited to Get Here’

Carol McNicholl, who formerly worked in the environmental services bureau of Long Beach, was excited to see Shen Yun.

“I just got goosebumps,” she said. “I was excited to get here.”

Although Shen Yun primarily consists of classical Chinese dance, three pieces feature solo vocalists who sing using the bel canto technique.

Commenting on the singers, Ms. McNicholl said, “Oh, my. The voices they had were amazing.”

“I read some of the reviews [about Shen Yun], and they’re all true. It’s just great to be here,” she continued. “It’s amazing, and I hope to God they bring it home [to China].”

‘You Have to See It’

Jose Mercado and Marianne Rivas after watching Shen Yun Performing Arts Feb. 8 at Terrace Theater in Long Beach. (Jenny Liu/Epoch Times)
Jose Mercado and Marianne Rivas after watching Shen Yun Performing Arts Feb. 8 at Terrace Theater in Long Beach. (Jenny Liu/Epoch Times)

Jose Mercado watched Shen Yun Feb. 8 with Marianne Rivas.

After the performance Mr. Mercado said, “You have to see it; you can’t describe it in words. You have to see it to appreciate it.”

“While I was watching, I wanted to cry,” he said, referring to the piece entitled The Power of Compassion. “That’s the way we all should be—not nasty; not hateful; but kind and helpful.”

‘It’s Amazing’

Ileana Cataldo, a property manager, attended Shen Yun with her husband, John, and her Chinese client.

Mrs. Cataldo was highly impressed. “Oh my gosh, it’s amazing. Beautiful,” she said. “The women are so graceful and the men are so strong. It’s just so beautiful.”

She added, “It’s just incredible. I’ve never seen a show like it. Never.”

‘Good For the Mind and Soul’

John Wiggins, an entrepreneur, also watched Shen Yun Feb. 8 at Terrace Theater, and he enjoyed it.

“I think it’s good for the community and it’s good for the mind and soul as well,” he said.

Reporting by Jenny Liu, Jane Yang, Sarah Le, Mandy Huang, and Albert Roman

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.

Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reaction since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006

Related Topics
Shen YunLong Beach
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