Shen Yun Brings Compassion to the World, Says California Theatergoer
Mar 11, 2023
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Elisa Duke enjoyed Shen Yun Performing Arts at Bridges Auditorium, in Claremont, on March 10, 2023. (Linda Jiang/The Epoch Times)
CLAREMONT, Calif.—Office manager Elisa Duke had no idea what was in store when she walked into Shen Yun’s evening performance on March 10. However, exiting Bridges Auditorium at the conclusion of the show, Ms. Duke is sure she’ll be returning for more.
“We didn’t know what to expect coming in. You see the [ads] on TV, but once you’re here—it’s just beautiful! We really enjoyed it—it was very inspiring,” she said. “There was a little bit of everything!”
Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company. Its artists seek to revive the glory of China’s 5,000 years of history and share with everyone all that is good and beautiful in China before communism.
The program includes classical Chinese, ethnic, folk, and short storyline dances, as well as solo musical performances. Together with the live orchestra, the artists recount tales and legends ranging from ancient to modern times.
Ms. Duke thought Shen Yun’s mission to revive traditional culture was very beautiful, and its presentation was right on target. She loved the traditional values that were portrayed.
“I’ll definitely come to see it again. I can’t wait to bring my granddaughter—I kept thinking about it the whole time I was watching—she would love this,” she said.
“I liked the compassion. The world we live in nowadays lacks compassion. Seeing it on stage, even without any words, was really nice. You can feel that [the performers] are portraying that.”
William Golsch and his wife Neva attended Shen Yun’s evening performance at Bridges Auditorium, in Claremont, on March 10, 2023. (Alice Sun/The Epoch Times)
Also in the audience were construction contractor William Golsch and his wife, Neva. The couple had purchased tickets for Shen Yun after seeing an ad in The Epoch Times.
“It was good,” Mr. Golsch said. “The whole show was very upper level!”
Mrs. Golsch, who used to play in an orchestra, loved Shen Yun’s music. She especially enjoyed the solo performance of the two-string erhu—an ancient Chinese instrument.
According to its website, Shen Yun’s pioneering orchestra is the first in the world to “blend the spirit and beauty of Chinese music with the power and grandeur of a Western symphony orchestra.”
While the couple thoroughly enjoyed the performance and couldn’t pick a favorite piece, Mr. Golsch said he was impressed by Shen Yun’s modern-day story dance discussing China’s human rights issues under communist rule.
“I enjoyed the [message.] I’m glad that somebody is willing to stand up,” he said.
“[Shen Yun] is speaking up, and we need to do that—especially in this country—here and in China. It’s a world movement that needs to take place.”
Reporting by Linda Jiang, Alice Sun, and Jennifer Tseng.
