HONOLULU—Company executive vice president Jeff Barber was very impressed by Shen Yun Performing Arts’ evening show at the Blaisdell Concert Hall on May 10.
He especially loved the company’s storyline dances, which recount stories from ancient times to the present day through movement and music—without a single word of dialogue.
For 5,000 years, China’s civilization flourished under the shared belief that the divine will bless those who uphold traditional moral values. Tragically, within just a few decades of the communist party’s violent takeover, these beliefs were erased and replaced with atheism.
Mr. Barber shared his thoughts on the opening piece, stating, “I like the creation story because it fits with my beliefs. The creation of the earth and the population of the earth with heavenly spirits.”
In the dance, the Creator and divine beings descend from the heavens to establish human society and impart history and culture to the world.
“I was watching a video about how they had found 2,500 BC writings in Chinese and talking about a one true God and creator, and basically telling the story of the creation of the earth that fits this story in Genesis,” Mr. Barber said, adding that this reflected the same concept conveyed in the performance.
“It was a neat connection between my own beliefs and learning that, ‘Oh, there is a Chinese belief that’s very far back that has the same belief as that I do.’ That was a neat connection to make.”
If given the chance, Mr. Barber would like to tell the performers that “they were beautiful and very talented.”
