SCHENECTADY, N.Y.—Physician John Janikas and interior designer Eva Porzuczek were amazed by the beauty and culture in
Shen Yun Performing Arts, which took the stage at the Proctor’s Theatre in Schenectady, New York, on April 16.
“I like the costumes, the dancing, and the music. It’s just different from any sort of other show I’ve seen,” Mr. Janikas said. “I’ve never seen Chinese
dance before and it’s pretty amazing.”
“If this show comes back, I’m going to buy tickets!”
Based in New York,
Shen Yun Performing Arts is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance company. Along with folk dances and solo performances, the production depicts story-based pieces that tell tales from ancient times to the modern-day.
“It’s very positive … and makes you feel good … it’s nice to come here and see beautiful dancing here, incredible music. And with this kind of positive vibe, it’s not what you typically get when you turn on the TV or watch Netflix,” Mr. Janikas said.
“I thought that overall, [
Shen Yun] kind of covers everything … each segment’s a little bit different and … talks to the heart.”
China’s authentic culture is inseparable from its spiritual heritage and Shen Yun presents a culture that draws inspiration from timeless Chinese Buddhist and Daoist philosophies. Shen Yun often shares spiritually uplifting messages with its audiences, according to the company’s
website.
“It sends a very deep message that’s kind of what we need to hear these days … that connection to the Creator… I think it’s just that a lot of people [have] walked away from what’s actually about the Creator,” Mr. Janikas said.
What the World Needs Right Now
The performing arts company aims to revive China’s traditional culture. Ms. Porzuczek believes that
Shen Yun’s mission restores hope in people’s hearts.
“It’s spiritual, it’s not religious, it’s more
spiritual. And I think that we need that right now in the world,” she said.
One of Shen Yun’s unique features is its live orchestra that harmoniously blends traditional Chinese instruments with a classical Western orchestra. Shen Yun also presents virtuoso
vocalists who sing Chinese lyrics using the bel canto style.
“My favorite part was singing … the opera,” Ms. Porzuczek said, “It just spoke to my heart, the words and everything, and his voice just reached to my heart.”
“My takeaway,” Mr. Janikas added, “is it was kind of nice to do something different than just going to a movie or watching TV. And seeing something that’s really opened my mind to … a different culture, a different way of thinking, something I never experienced.”
