‘That’s so Powerful’: Retired Colonel Reflects on Themes in Shen Yun
Feb 05, 2023
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Leocadio and Regina Muniz at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in San Antonio, Texas, on Feb. 4, 2023. (Sonia Wu/The Epoch Times)
SAN ANTONIO, Texas—Leocadio and Regina Muniz were captivated by Shen Yun Performing Arts’ dancing and storylines after seeing the performance at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.
“It’s absolutely beautiful, and the dancing is extraordinary,” said Mrs. Muniz, who is retired. “I love the storylines. ... I’m very much enjoying this.”
Mr. Muniz, who is a retired U.S. military colonel, also made reference to the different storylines in Shen Yun, including ones that depict perseverance in the face of present-day atrocities under the communist regime in China.
“That’s so powerful,” Mr. Muniz said. “It is a message that needs to be revealed to the world.”
Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance company. Established in 2006 in New York, the company aims to “revive the beauty and goodness of China before communism,” as stated on its website.
Reflecting on the themes in some of the dance pieces, Mr. Muniz said that “there’s always hope, and in the end, the right will win out.”
‘Enlightening’
Robert Reyna at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in San Antonio, Texas, on Feb. 4, 2023. (Nancy Ma/The Epoch Times)
Robert Reyna, who has also retired from the military, said that Shen Yun is the best performance he has seen.
“I thought it was great. I’ve been to other performances. But this one tops—tops of all tops,” he said. “It was enlightening to see the show.”
Mr. Reyna said besides the dances, he enjoyed Shen Yun’s orchestra, which combines traditional Chinese instruments with classical Western instruments.
“It relaxes me because it was so in tune with the dancers,” Mr. Reyna said.
He said he also enjoyed the animated backdrops, which through patented technology interact with the dancers on the stage.
“I’ve never seen anything like that,” he said.
In one word, Shen Yun is a “compelling” performance, Mr. Reyna said.
‘Very Passionate’
Eric Garza and Raquel Perez-Colvin at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in San Antonio, Texas, on Feb. 4, 2023. (Sonia Wu/The Epoch Times)
Eric Garza, who works as a director of human resources, thought Shen Yun is a very “exciting” performance.
“Very interesting; very exciting; very passionate,” he said, adding that the choreography in the performance is “exceptional.”
“The costumes are beautiful. The colors are just ... very energized,” he said. “There’s so much to see.”
Mr. Garza’s wife, Raquel Perez-Colvin, said she also found Shen Yun to be a “wonderful” performance.
“We really enjoyed it, it’s amazing,” she said. “Beautiful, extraordinary. I would say everyone [should] come and see this show.”
