NEW YORK—Event planner Rosa Gurny knows about the meticulous details and the painstaking efforts that must go into every great production. And she was thoroughly impressed after seeing a sold-out showing of Shen Yun Performing Arts at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center with her husband Edward on Jan. 16.
“This is the best event I’ve ever seen here,” she said.
“It’s not just the choreography and the costumes, but it’s everything—the music, the lighting, the curtains, behind the scenes—it’s everything!” she said, thrilled by what she said was the extraordinary professionalism of everyone involved in the Shen Yun production.
The New York-based performing arts company showcases traditional Chinese culture through the combination of classical and ethnic Chinese dance, a live orchestra combining Eastern and Western instruments, vibrant, handmade costumes, and an animated backdrop that seamlessly interacts with the performers to create a unique experience for audience members.
Every year, the company, with four equally large companies, performs in some 100 cities worldwide, awing audience members like Mrs. Gurny and her husband.
“The colors, the music—everything! It was totally awesome from beginning to end,” said Mr. Gurny, who works in security.
For Mrs. Gurny, what particularly stood out was the meticulous choreography. “The choreographers were superb. They just put on an awesome show. Not just the choreography itself, but also the technique of the dancers is just beautiful,” she said.
The Chinese were traditionally very spiritual people, believing that traditional Chinese culture was a gift from the gods. As a result, for several millennia, artists in China have used their work to venerate and celebrate the divine. Shen Yun follows this tradition by delivering a performance rooted in spirituality and faith.
“The music, the costumes, the technique of the dancers—everything is just divine,” Mrs. Gurny said. You couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Watching Shen Yun filled the couple with warmth and happiness and energy. “You just want to go up there and dance,” Mrs. Gurny joked. Walking out of the theater, she felt enlightened and peaceful.
Shen Yun’s January performances in New York City are sold-out, but the company will be returning to the city for another string of performances in March.
Reporting by Weiyong Zhu and Irene Luo
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.
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.
