SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Television Reporter: Shen Yun ‘Really Evokes Emotion’

Apr 28, 2013
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Television Reporter: Shen Yun ‘Really Evokes Emotion’
Shen Yun Performing Arts closes its 11 performance run at The David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on Sunday April 28. (The Epoch Times)

NEW YORK—Lisa Reyes, a reporter and fill-in anchor with News-12 television in Westchester, was struck by Shen Yun Performing Arts’ use of colors upon seeing Shen Yun perform at the Lincoln Center in New York City.

“The visual elements really evoke emotion,” she said after seeing Shen Yun at the David H. Koch Theater on Sunday afternoon.

The hallmark of Shen Yun is classical Chinese dance, along with more than 100 uniquely designed, handmade costumes, representing various dynasties from history and different ethnic groups.

“I think it’s spectacular; I love the colors, the vibrancy, the costumes,” Ms. Reyes said at intermission, adding, “I’m loving it so far.” 

She noted that the performance draws its inspiration from thousands of years of Chinese culture: “I think it’s interesting how they had said this is 5,000 years of civilization and they’re trying to bring their culture here.”

Based in New York, Shen Yun’s mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture through the arts—a culture that has been actively suppressed under Communist Party rule.

Ms. Reyes said she was struck by An Unexpected Encounter, a dance piece depicting modern China in which a father and his daughter, who are tourists from abroad, run up against the regime’s human rights abuses. Ms. Reyes saw the piece as relevant to audiences here “because you see people touring New York City all the time.”

“It’s interesting to see a different perspective,” she said.

“I think everyone should try and come and see it the next time it’s in town,” Ms. Reyes said.

Her mother, Milda Reyes, a legal assistant, called Shen Yun “really breathtaking.”

“It’s interesting how the dancers come in and out of the screen; that’s definitely unique,” she said.

Shen Yun includes an animated digital backdrop that changes with every piece, displaying scenery from mountain peaks to pastoral landscapes.

Reporting by Joshua Philipp and Jack Phillips

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.