WATERBURY, Conn.—Theatergoers in Connecticut heaped praise on Shen Yun Performing Arts after it gave its first showing at the Palace Theater on Wednesday evening.
Jay Shetty, a surgeon with Waterbury Hospital, said that he and his family “enjoyed it,” calling the overall performance “excellent” and “beautiful.” He said, “We’ll come back again and we’ll see it next year.”
Sandya Shetty, who works as a school psychologist with Hartford Public Schools, described Shen Yun as a “visual feast,” noting the plethora of color.
Shen Yun uses a variety of means—including classical Chinese dance, music, costumes, and a digital backdrop—to convey dozens of stories and legends passed down throughout Chinese civilization. The company says on its website that it aims to revive and spread traditional Chinese culture.
“The color is just so vibrant, and just lovely. We really enjoyed it,” Ms. Shetty said. “There was a nice mix of singing and dance, and visual effects.”
Classical Chinese dance has been passed down from antiquity and over the past several thousand years it has become systematized and refined, capable of expressing the inner meanings of the culture, according to the company’s website.
Mr. Shetty lauded “the ladies’ costumes and the choreography … so well coordinated.”
Costuming is also a key element of the performance. The handmade costumes are inspired from various Chinese dynasties as well as ethnic groups, the company says.
Ms. Shetty praised Shen Yun for touching on key human rights issues in China during several of its dances, including the current persecution of Falun Gong, a type of traditional meditation practice.
“So, it’s nice that they’re showing it here, when you cannot show it over there,” she said. New York-based Shen Yun cannot be shown in China—because the ruling communist regime has aimed to decimate traditional culture through various violent campaigns.
Another theatergoer, Sol Harel, who works insurance adjuster, said that he “enjoyed [Shen Yun] very much,” but “can’t understand” why Shen Yun could not perform in China. “Nothing is offensive about [the] show,” he said.
Mr. Harel praised the company for portraying Chinese culture outside of China.
Reporting by Hannah Cai and Jack Phillips.
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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