PROVIDENCE, R.I.—In the history of China, there is a blank spot in the minds of many Americans that one classical Chinese dance company now on tour aims to fill in.
Shen Yun Performing Arts, a New York-based group of artists that’s been trotting the globe, performed onstage on May 10 at Rhode Island’s Providence Performing Arts Center, using beautiful dance movements and shimmering costumes to elucidate on the authentic history of the Middle Kingdom.
While some dance segments revive morals and uplift the heart, mind, and senses through myths and legends, others depict scenes of religious persecution in modern China by the Chinese communist regime.
Heidi Carroll, who teaches about ancient China and the different dynasties and who saw the show with her husband, Mark Carroll, an electrician, was clearly impressed by the show’s production value.
But she also learned more than what she'd been teaching her students about Chinese history.
Sitting in the front row, they noted the stunning visuals and orchestral vibrations: “The choreography is beautiful,” she told The Epoch Times. “The costumes are absolutely amazing.”
Mr. Carroll added that the orchestra, which combines Eastern and Western instruments, was “phenomenal.”
Mrs. Carroll said she learned “about the spirituality, that I guess I didn’t realize was banned by the communist government.”
This was not new to all members of the audience. Fran O‘Brien, who owns a consulting company and saw the show with his wife, Tara O’Brien, has family who’ve witnessed firsthand suppression by China’s officially atheist communist regime.
“My father’s cousin was a Maryknoll missionary in communist China, and they were trying to do Catholic masses and things of that nature,” Mr. O'Brien said. “And it all had to be secret and hiding and all like that, you know. So, it’s interesting to have seen that portion on the show here.”
Many theatergoers agreed that Shen Yun is beautiful, its digitally animated 3D backdrop is impressive to behold, and the show was “enjoyable” and “entertaining.”
Taking in the message of Shen Yun—one she'd not heard till today—Mrs. Carroll said, “I’m going to be sure to mention it in my class for my students.”
And seeing how Shen Yun is aiming to revive China’s spiritual heritage after decades of communist suppression, Mrs. O'Brien added, “I can definitely see what they’re portraying. I love it. And it’s really beautiful and soulful.”
