NEW YORK—Mr. Leigh, a retired financial editor of Standard and Poor’s, said Shen Yun Performing Arts‘ performance at the Lincoln Center was like a really good story book.
“When you read a really interesting book, you‘ll continue reading till 2 o’clock in the morning. It was the same with this. You never know what is coming ... you are looking forward to the next scene,” Mr. Leigh said.
After impressing the New York audience with more than 10 shows in January, Shen Yun returned to the David H. Koch Theater to showcase program highlights from the time of the company’s establishment in 2006.
“I’ve never seen this before, but I’ve seen other shows in different countries, and this is one of the most outstanding,” said Mr. Leigh. After more than two hours of the best of Shen Yun’s five-year repertoire, an encore for the tenor, a standing ovation, and a curtain call, Mr. Leigh’s wife, Nelly, still wanted more.
Shen Yun’s program includes dance and music solo pieces that revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture. “I am not too detailed on China, but I was impressed with the culture ... I think our culture goes only 3,000 years, so when you see 5,000 years you’ve got to be impressed,” said the English-born Mr. Leigh.
“It was very beautiful, the way it was orchestrated and the way it was produced. It stood out because of its beauty. I was so impressed with that,” said Mr. Leigh. In terms of sound, he was drawn to the thunderous performance of the drummers, however, from an artistic point of view, he preferred the delicate plum blossoms dance.
“I will be coming back here again next year for sure,” Mr. Leigh assured.
Reporting by Alec Wang and Kristina Skorbach
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
