HOLLYWOOD, Calif.—Company Vice President Philip Sokoloski wasn’t sure what he was getting into when he purchased the ticket for Shen Yun Performing Arts’ matinee at the Dolby Theatre on April 7.
“I did not know exactly what to expect coming in. I knew that dancing was a big part of it but I did not expect to get such an education on Chinese cultural tradition—it was something unexpected and delightful about the show. [Chinese history] is a flourishing culture that we learn too little of here in the West,” he said.
“This is something I’m very glad to have done. We were curious about it. We indulged that curiosity and were rewarded for that.”
“Some of the performances, in particular, were very, very beautiful. The dances and the moves are very intricate. The performers are very skilled. Just to watch these creative people come together—the musicians and the performers—you see just how rich and wonderful this culture is to bring it forward in this way,” he expressed.
“The background was very interesting. I saw that there was a patent on it. Using it in the storytelling was pretty unique. I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
“I think many different cultures approach similar ideas in different ways,” he expressed. “It’s nice to hear of their ancient origin in the East—in China.”
Mr. Solowski was also impressed by Shen Yun’s “blend of the Western and Eastern musical traditions in the orchestra pit.”
“It was very fascinating. The solo performance— [the erhu] was an extraordinary instrument. I had no idea there was such a thing that could make such sounds.”
The message Mr. Sokoloski will be bringing home with him from the Shen Yun is that “people should see this show.”
“They should come to appreciate the beauty of this culture and learn in a way that you may not get through the news,” he said.
