RALEIGH, N.C.—The audience was anticipating an engaging performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts at Memorial Auditorium at Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts on March 8.
David and Kathy Beard found much to reflect upon, especially what’s happening in China today. “The Steadfast Heart” is a Shen Yun dance drama set in modern times about the horrendous organ harvesting perpetrated by the present communist regime.
Believers in Falun Gong, a peaceful cultivation practice guided by truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance, are persecuted by the regime and are being killed for their organs.
Mr. Beard, a retired district attorney, said, “I like the dancing and the costumes, but I especially like the part [in the present time] when they were taking [people’s] organs. I thought that was realistic. I'd like for more people know about what’s going on in China.”
“It’s hard not to feel bad about it,” Mr. Beard said. “I wish more people knew about it—what’s going on now in China with the harvesting of organs.”
“I just think if more people knew about it. Then they'd have a truer view of China and what [the communist regime] in China is doing,” he said.
Mrs. Beard loved the artistry of the performance. “The artistic take is remarkable. It’s beautiful. The timing, the elements, and the pictures. It’s just graceful and beautiful,” she said.
Shen Yun tours the world, sharing the values and positive spiritual traditions of China before communism.
“I like the dance,” Mr. Beard said. “But I like the message more.”
Shen Yun features a live orchestra with Eastern and Western instruments that perform original music during the dance pieces. The Beards loved it as they sat near the orchestra pit.
“I told my wife, ‘If we were any closer, I'd have to be playing an instrument down there with them.’ We’ve enjoyed it,” Mr. Beard said.
The Shen Yun program includes singers who are trained in the bel canto method and sing in Mandarin while the lyrics are projected on the backdrop in English.
Mrs. Beard loved the tenor’s performance. “Yes, we love our seats, and it’s just beautiful. The music and the song was beautiful. So beautiful. His voice, it was lovely.”
“I couldn’t understand [the lyrics], but just by reading it, it was great. You could really feel the message and his voice and with the words,” Mrs. Beard said.
The Beards said they would heartily recommend Shen Yun to others.
“I think it’s the show is beautiful,“ Mr. Beard said. “The music is great, the dancing is great. And I still come back to the message.”
He said the message touched his heart.
