SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun’s Stories Are so Moving, Says Vermont Couple

Feb 19, 2024
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Shen Yun’s Stories Are so Moving, Says Vermont Couple
Chris Cale and Paola Ceccon attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington, Vt., on Feb. 18, 2024. (De Ping/The Epoch Times)

BURLINGTON, Vt.—Chris Cale and Paola Ceccon were emotionally moved by Shen Yun’s touching performances, especially for bringing back China’s traditional heritage. Shen Yun Performing Arts presented a performance at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington, Vermont, on Feb. 18.

“I cried so hard in the story of you guys trying [to revive Chinese culture]. It was so moving. I’m very much into qigong and martial arts, and I’m a Taoist,” said Ms. Ceccon.

She was very moved by the performance of Shen Yun’s live orchestra. “I tell you, it’s the first time in my life that I hear live music that sounds like (it’s) recorded. It’s so perfect, so I’m really, really, really pleased. I cried so much.”

Ms. Ceccon, a herbalist who has visited China, felt the energy Shen Yun shared with the audience. “I felt the energy. I felt the lightness and the purity. I felt purity—that is very refreshing because there’s no purity here,” she said.
Through classical Chinese dance and music, Shen Yun is sharing with the world the beauty of China’s authentic 5,000 years of history. Since its founding in 2006, the company has received worldwide accolades for its mission to revive traditional Chinese culture.

Mr. Cale, a professor of psychology, loved the storytelling, especially in what’s happening in China today. “What I liked the most is the storytelling—and [how] the show represents that in our modern times,” he said.

The animated backdrop impressed Mr. Cale. “I liked the one when [a dancer] jumped into the screen. And [the] digital recreation thing—that was very cool. I’d never seen that before.”

Ms. Ceccon wants to spread the word about Shen Yun’s show, and they will learn about the great land of China. “Just go! Just go and learn about China.”

Mr. Cale said: “I think it’s good for Americans to see this because Americans tend to be more blind to what’s going on outside of their country.”

Preschool Teacher Urges People to ‘Please Come See It!’

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington on Feb. 18, 2024. (De Ping/The Epoch Times)
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington on Feb. 18, 2024. (De Ping/The Epoch Times)

Preschool teacher Michelle Lewis and her husband thoroughly enjoyed Shen Yun Performing Arts. “We’ve always heard about it and been inspired to learn more,” Mrs. Lewis said.

She said there was so much about traditional Chinese culture and history to teach children. “I like to teach our children more about Chinese culture; the history’s fascinating, and the dance is beautiful,” she said.

She said that Chinese culture is ”beautiful and it’s wonderful, and it’s also troubling that the stories aren’t allowed to be shared. The oppression and persecution is troubling, and we hope that everyone can practice whatever they want to practice, whatever faith.”

Mr. Lewis said Shen Yun made him aware of the persecution in modern China. “I learned so far about some of the troubles and the oppression they see and how they can’t do this back in China. It’s unfortunate because [Shen Yun] is really beautiful.”

When asked what she would say to others about Shen Yun, Mrs. Lewis said: “Please come see it. Learn more about the dance and the culture.”

Mr. Lewis also recommends people see Shen Yun. “I’ll them to come down and see it. It’s a beautiful show. It’s not often you get to see something like this in Vermont, so it’s beautiful.

Shen Yun is very special at this time of year, according to Mr. Lewis. “In the middle of winter, Vermont, it’s really dark, and you get to see all these bright colors. So it’s really nice to see how they adapt and try to show the riveting colors and flowers and earth. It was really neat.”

As Mr. Lewis listened to the show’s hosts about Shen Yun’s mission, he said: “I learned so far about some of the troubles and the oppression they see and how they can’t do this back in China. It’s unfortunate because it’s really beautiful.”

When asked if he would come back to see Shen Yun next year, he said, “Sure! I heard it’s different every time, so it would be nice to see what’s different in the new show.”

With shows scheduled in over 200 cities and across five continents, the 2024 touring season is shaping up to be the artists’ busiest yet.
Reporting by De Ping and Yvonne Marcotte.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
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