MESA, Arizona—“It has just been so graceful and wonderful,” said Mr. Jarvis. Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis attended the March 1, evening performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company at the Ikeda Theater in the Mesa Arts Center.
Mr. Jarvis is an architect and works for the Transystem Corporation, and Mrs. Jarvis is a psychotherapist.
Mrs. Jarvis said, “I’m loving it!”
Shen Yun’s website talks about their costumes: “Shen Yun’s costume artists collect countless designs, ranging from those of emperor’s, ministers, and generals, to the everyday clothing of the common people. They use bright colors to tailor and recreate hundreds of new pieces each season.”
Mr. Jarvis was impressed with the costumes, “The colors and the motion are wonderful,” he said.
An animated digital backdrop creates an environment which draws the audience into mystical realms and various dynasties with the performers on stage.
Mr. Jarvis enjoyed the backdrop, “It’s fun seeing how the screen integrates with the dances.”
Mrs. Jarvis thought the backdrop’s special ability to make the performers appear as if they had just stepped into another realm from the stage was quite special, “Especially when they go below the stage and then fly away. That’s fabulous.”
As a psychologist Mrs. Jarvis sensed something deep in the content of the performances. “I really like how they bring the eternal perspective. I can sense there’s a spiritual piece to it. We don’t know what this Falun Dafa is, but we’re thinking that’s very interesting.”
Falun Dafa is a cultivation practice, guided by the principles of truth, compassion and forbearance, which is being persecuted by the communist regime and ideology in stark contrast with the traditional culture of China.
Mr. And Mrs. Jarvis have a Mongolian friend so the Mongolian Bowl Dance was “extra interesting” for them.
This is a traditional Mongolian dance which the women do to welcome guests according to the Shen Yun’s program.
Mr. Jarvis pointed out, “One of my favorites was the bowl dance. They did things with their shoulders and back that I wasn’t expecting at all.”
Mrs. Jarvis will recommend her daughter to see the show, “My daughter-in-law is a dance instructor and I want to text her when I get home to say ”You have to go to this,“ because there are so many interesting movements that I saw and different ways presenting it. I think she'd really enjoy it.”
Reporting by Flora Ge and Cheryl Casati.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company is performing at the Ikeda Theater in the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Ariz., March 2–3, and the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix, Ariz., March 10. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
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