DALLAS—Adam Frisbie, an ICU nurse practitioner, saw Shen Yun Performing Arts on Feb. 10 at Eisemann Center.
“The history is very interesting. I really love the costumes. The choreography is really well done. Flows really well. It’s beautiful,” Mr. Frisbie said.
Shen Yun, based in New York, is on a mission to present “China before communism,” and revive people’s connection with 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and culture.
“There’s something mystical and amazing about Chinese history. It’s old. Of course, in the United States, we’re so new. And to be able to go back so many years and have such a rich and amazing history is really beautiful,” Mr. Frisbie said.
With 5,000 years of history and literature to draw from, Shen Yun is able to put on an all-new production every year.
“It’s nice because you get to see a glimpse of the beginning all the way through. And you really get to see the ups and downs and hardships and the beauty of China,” Mr. Frisbie said.
Shen Yun uses classical Chinese dance to tell stories from China’s five millennia. Its dance stories also portray the modern true story of Falun Dafa practitioners being persecuted for their faith in China. Falun Dafa is a peaceful practice that teaches the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.
“It was really interesting, really sad [to] show [what’s happening in] modern-day China. It makes you really start to think and want to learn more. Part of it is just to get the word out,” Mr. Frisbie commented.
It’s because of its truthful depiction of the Chinese Communist Party that Shen Yun is unable to perform in China.
“I would worry about going back to China. I think they do it in a way that is brave and courageous, but not too much either. It doesn’t feel like propaganda, or it doesn’t feel over the top; it feels real,” Mr. Frisbie said.
The costumes in Shen Yun were designed by Shen Yun’s artistic director, D.F. The costumes are all designed to match the fashion worn throughout the 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.
“I think the costumes are really well done. It really draws the eye,” Mr. Frisbie said.
