DAYTON, Ohio—“It was very delightful,” said Scott Brownlee about Shen Yun Performing Art’s presentation of 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture through dance and music. The performance appeared at the Mead Theatre.
“I didn’t know what to expect but I knew it would be wonderful. But I was really not prepared for all of the lovely dancing and costuming, and the opening is wonderful,” he said.
He and his wife were particularly impressed with the intermission’s opening dance, Lotuses in Bloom. The program booklet states that the lotus is a symbol of purity and in this dance the blossoms elevate high amidst the misty clouds. “It is absolutely breathtaking; it’s wonderful,” said Mr. Brownlee.
“I loved the fabrics and how they could display the fabrics, and the colors in them. The prettiest thing I saw was when they came up out of the fog on the floor with their pink and white fan—that just awed me. I went “Wow” that was such a beautiful shock of color, it was so pretty, ”Ms. Brownlee said.
Mr. Brownlee is a retired engineer, Vietnam veteran, and chairman of the board of a manufacturing company, Tipp Novelty Company. His wife is a dancer focusing now on ballroom and partner dancing, and occasionally competes.
Shen Yun’s mission is to revitalize ancient Chinese culture through the performing arts. Four companies travel simultaneously around the world with a live orchestra, dazzling costumes, and high tech digitally animated backdrops which interact with the performers.
At the heart of Shen Yun is dance: classical Chinese dance and traditional folk dance. “Classical Chinese dance has its own training in basic skills, physical expression and postures, leaps, flips, spins and other difficult tumbling techniques, forming an extensive and independent dance system,” explains the Shen Yun website.
Ms. Brownlee said, “I enjoyed the technique they have.”
“I [have] got to tell you the women, were amazingly tuned in perfectly together. They were exactly where they were supposed to be, and their timing was impeccable. I was amazed by that,” said Ms. Brownlee. “I mean I was totally impressed with it.”
Her husband agreed: “Everyone was perfectly coordinated, and that takes a lot of work. And, I like the choreography.”
“Shen Yun draws top artists from around the world with a passion for traditional Chinese culture and its moral values,” states Shen Yun’s website. This culture was almost completely destroyed by the Chinese Communist rule particularly during the Cultural Revolution. Being based out of New York, Shen Yun can now freely express this culture to its fullest extent.
Mr. Brownlee enjoyed the story-telling of the traditional culture. “I think a lot of it is lost among the Americans, because we are oblivious to Chinese culture.” He noted however that all cultures have their story-telling elements.
The Brownlees definitely recommend that friends and family come see Shen Yun.
“I think that they should see this,” Ms. Brownlee said. “There is so much to learn from this which I haven’t seen before.”
Mr. Brownlee concluded: “Coming back next year with a whole new show and I will bring friends. I will buy tickets early [too].
Reporting by Joan Wang and Cat Rooney
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.
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.
