WATERBURY, Conn.—On Dec. 27, Shen Yun Performing Arts opened its second performance at the Palace Theatre to a house of enthusiastic audience members.
“I can’t even imagine the amount of hours and practice—and not just the dance, but the athleticism and everything. It’s unbelievable.”
Ms. Odell was equally stunned by the performers’ commitment and skill. “Amazing dedication,” she said. They’re “just a very, very talented group of young people.”
China is one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Its 5,000 years of history are filled with legends and rich traditions. Yet, within just a few decades following the rise of the Chinese Communist Party, this magnificent culture was destroyed.
“Be good, be kind, be loving, and it will come back to you. There is a higher being that looks out for everybody. Even [though we are of] a different culture, we share the same belief along those lines,” she shared.
“We’re more alike than we think. ... There are more good [in the world] than there are bad—It was beautiful to see.”
Ms. Bouthilier agreed. Shen Yun’s performance gave her the feeling that “we’re all sent here, we’re all born for a reason, and we have a purpose. Along the way, sometimes people lose their way, and it’s [about] being able to get eternal salvation.”
Ms. Odell shared that Shen Yun definitely has “a positive impact on the world.” For her, the dance “Peacock Paradise” symbolized unity.
“The peacock opened its feathers, and it was unity to me. I got the feeling that they all became one and the same. I think it’s a good message. The world needs more messages like this—more togetherness.”
“I could not believe all the different sounds [the musician] could get from those two strings. Amazing, amazing,” Ms. Perry expressed. “I just thought it was beautiful because [the orchestra] had traditional instruments along with [Western] instruments and they blended well together.”
Summing up the experience, Ms. Perry said, Shen Yun “shows people how to be kind.”
“You can change a person by being kind to them, even though they’re not. They can come around,” she shared.
“The talent and the thought that goes into [Shen Yun] is incredible, and we’re grateful for it. You can see how many people came tonight. We’re ready for it, everybody’s ready for something positive, for the message, and so thank you.”
