NEW YORK—The dancers of Shen Yun seemed to draw their energy from another world, said Joe Graziano, who owns Professional Development Inc., an executive training and coaching consultancy.
“It was beautiful,” he said. “You saw that, without any words, just some music and their dancing, you got the expression, and the meaning, and the beauty of what they were conveying.”
Mr. Graziano’s company has served a range of clients, including Ricoh USA , Readers Digest, and Dun & Bradstreet.
Shen Yun, based in New York, tours the world with one mission—to revive the 5,000 year old, divinely-inspired Chinese culture.
“For thousands of years, Buddhist, Taoist, and other disciplines were at the heart of society. Calligraphy, music, medicine, attire, and much more were said to have been passed down from the heavens,” explains Shen Yun’s website. “Unfortunately, over its past 60 years of rule, the communist regime has treated traditional Chinese values centered on the idea of harmony between heaven and earth?as a threat to its existence.
“Humanity’s treasure was nearly lost, but through breathtaking music and dance, Shen Yun is bringing back this glorious culture,” the website adds.
Joe’s wife, Laura Graziano, a production planner, said that Shen Yun transported the couple to “another place”
Mr. Graziano said that the performance connected with him “in the heart.” The ancient culture resonating through the Chinese dance, as well as the folk and ethnic and story-based dance, and the rest of the performance, such as the handmade costumes, conveyed timeless truths and universal values.
Frank and Benecia Urban, owners of Urban Flooring, also enjoyed the performance on April 20, at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater.
“It is amazing how many beautiful customs are in one country,” said Mr. Urban. “It is a beautiful show and we are enjoying it.”
Mrs. Urban said that she is fascinated with different cultures and appreciated the chance to learn more about the Chinese culture.
One aspect of the performance that struck her is that while Shen Yun tours to more than 100 cities each year, it cannot perform in China. The ruling communist regime is responsible for the near-demise of the ancient culture, the culture that Shen Yun seeks to revive.
“A lot of the people still do not know about persecution that happens there,” she said. Several dance pieces present modern day China, including the persecution of Falun Gong, a meditation practice based on truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.
“It is amazing [that Falun Gong adherents in China persist in practicing despite persecution], the Chinese people are very strong,” she said. “Very touching.”
Reporting by NTD Television, Hannah Cai, and Zachary Stieber
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
Shen Yun Performing Arts is performing at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center through April 28.
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.
