SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun Speaks to Everybody

Dec 24, 2013
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Shen Yun Speaks to Everybody
Scott and Melina Mackey enjoy an evening at Shen Yun Performing Arts in Houston's Jones Hall on Dec. 23, 2013. (Sarah Guo/Epoch Times)

HOUSTON—Scott and Melina Mackey witnessed something of higher order when they watched the opening performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Jones Hall for the Performing Arts in Houston on Dec. 23.

“All the stories, for me, [have a] deep, long sense of history,” Mr. Mackey said. “[There’s] an ancient quality about it.”

From the dances to the lyrics composed by the New York-based company, Mr. Mackey said the 5,000 years of culture that Shen Yun seeks to revive is indeed spiritual and divine.

“There is something higher, something bigger than just what’s on this earth and this world,” Mr. Mackey said, emphasizing the themes expressed through Shen Yun. “It’s happy, joyful.”

Through the expressive art forms like classical Chinese dance, Shen Yun tells stories from ancient legends to those set in modern day China. Mr. Mackey pointed to a particular piece touching on the persecution of the spiritual practice Falun Gong. He said he really felt himself resonating with the story behind it.

“Good triumphs over evil,” he said, adding that he has some familiarity with Buddhism and recognized it in the stories.

“Spirituality touches everybody, regardless of whether they realize it or not,” Mr. Mackey said. “When spirituality is brought up in any context, I think it speaks to everybody. It’s universal.”

‘Balance and Peace’

Shen Yun’s mission also resonated with many other members of the audience, regardless of their past experience with Chinese culture.

“If you love tradition, then you love a sense of where you’re going and where you’re from,” said Ms. Nichole Levy, an overseas contractor, who applauded Shen Yun’s mission.

“It is excellent, very wonderful, powerful—very historical,” Ms. Levy said.

Ms. Levy said she was glad to learn about traditional Chinese culture and see its different periods throughout history. Despite this being her first encounter with Shen Yun, the performance’s themes were relatable, Ms. Levy said.

“I think everybody can relate to trying to find balance and peace,” she added. “It was just very powerful learning about different cultures. To keep about the education of different cultures, it’s just a powerful thing.”

Reporting by Sarah Guo and Catherine Yang

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

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

 
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