KITCHENER-WATERLOO, Canada—Shen Yun Performing Arts opened at Centre in the Square theatre Tuesday to a near-capacity crowd.
Presenting classical Chinese dance with the support of an East-meets-West orchestra, the show made an impression on Walter Stachnyk, a retired vice president with Linamar Corporation.
“I liked the show very much,” said Mr. Stachnyk.
Linamar is a large industrial and auto parts manufacturer with 37 manufacturing facilities located all across the world.
Mr. Stachnyk said he was intrigued by Shen Yun’s digital projection, an animated backdrop that provides vivid scenes for each dance and action that interacts with the dancers on the stage.
“It’s so unified, very unified, very real,” he said.
“It was all very pleasant, and the music to go with it is very pleasant and really fits in, the music and the acting and the stage. It was very well-done.”
It was his first time to see ShenYun.
“It was very entertaining, very soothing and entertaining, and there was the spiritual part to it as well.”
Shen Yun was founded on a mission to revive 5,000 years of divinely inspired Chinese culture, a culture rooted in deep spirituality and values like benevolence, filial piety, and reverence for the gods and the heavens.
Also at the performance that night was Richard Exon, a senior recruitment consultant with Manulife and previously with Research in Motion.
“I loved it, it was really good, lots of colour, creativity. The snowflakes scene was really good,” said Mr. Exon.
In Snowflakes Welcoming Spring, female dancers take small quick steps while they spin and twirl delicate silk handkerchiefs in a dazzling northeastern folk dance.
“It’s really fun, it’s animated, it’s really active, lots of people moving around, lots of beautiful colours, interesting themes,” said Mr. Exon. “It’s really good.”
He said the performance left him with feelings of happiness, excitement, tranquility, and compassion.
“So very good things,” he said.
“I really enjoyed it, it was a great show. Really good, entertaining.”
He said he would be back again next year.
Reporting by NTD Television, Matthew Little, and SOH Radio.
Shen Yun will be in Kitchener-Waterloo for one more performance before heading to Toronto’s Sony Centre for the Performing Arts for a five-show run.
For more information, please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
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