Shen Yun Shares a ‘Universal Message,’ Says Theatergoer
Apr 04, 2024
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Karen Dorris attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto on April 3, 2024. (Lisa Ou/The Epoch Times)
TORONTO—Shen Yun Performing Arts showcased its world-class dance and music before a full audience at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto on April 3. Interior designer Karen Dorris saw the show and expressed her support for its effort to keep traditional Chinese culture alive and revive “the Chinese forms of art from a long time ago.”
Through classical Chinese dance and music, Shen Yun is sharing with the world the beauty and wisdom of China’s 5,000 years of history. Since its founding in 2006, the company has received worldwide accolades for its mission to revive traditional Chinese culture.
Ms. Dorris appreciated Shen Yun’s dedication to bringing back the splendor of authentic Chinese culture through dance and music as it existed before communist rule.
“It was poignant to hear that this show would not be running in China,” she said.
“The colors, the staging, and the dancing are fantastic,” she said. “Every single [aspect], every single one. The scenery in the background was very evocative of the nature and beauty that can be [found in] China. Also, the colors of the costumes and the ombre effect was really quite nice.”
“They were lovely, and they were very different. So it gave you a little break from the stories, to listen to something quite beautiful,” she continued.
And “live music, there’s nothing like it,” Ms. Dorris added. “The native [Chinese] instruments also added something very special to the typical orchestra instruments that you would normally find.”
Shen Yun’s spiritual message was an important part of the performance, she said.
“The spiritual aspect was new and refreshing, unexpected as well. I didn’t expect that, and I thought that was special.”
“The universal message that there’s something bigger than yourself” was also an aspect she noted, and the opportunity to “connect with that.”
Ms. Dorris said she would tell others about her experience at Shen Yun. “Absolutely. I recommend it to anyone,” she said.
Enchanted by Shen Yun’s Orchestra
Music producer and former singer Kevin Carmen described Shen Yun as “fantastic.”
Mr. Carmen has a sharp ear for music and was enchanted by the live orchestra. “The mix—the blend—is amazing,” he said. “It’s really fun to hear [the Chinese instruments].”
The Chinese melodies resonated with him, he said, saying that “it’s really nice on the ear.”
Kevin Carmen attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, in Toronto, Canada, on April 3, 2024. (Dongyu Teng/The Epoch Times)
Mr. Carmen paid special attention to the conductor’s technique. “I’ve been watching him, and that’s fun. I always like watching conductors.” He also took note of how the musicians, dancers, and technicians cooperated with each other, making the Shen Yun production seamless.
He said he especially liked the Mongolian dance and the dance piece called “Sleeves of Grace.”
The performance gave him inspiration to go back and produce more music and great music, he said. “It makes me want to go home and do something great.”
With shows scheduled in over 200 cities across five continents, the 2024 touring season is shaping up to be the artists’ busiest yet.
Reporting by Dongyu Teng, Lisa Ou, and Yvonne Marcotte.
