FORT MYERS, Fla.—Shen Yun Performing Arts, the world-acclaimed classical Chinese dance company, thrilled its audience at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Feb. 10.
Emily O'Neill, who works for News Press Media, and her 95-year-old mother, Emily Crep, were amazed by the New York-based company’s performance.
The dance company, on a mission to revive 5,000 years of China’s divinely inspired culture, features many unique aspects, including an orchestra that combines classical Western instruments with Chinese instruments, animated digital backdrops, and hundreds of colorful handmade costumes.
“I could see it over and over and over,” Mrs. Crep said. “I’ve never seen anything so gorgeous. It was just terrific.”
Her daughter, Ms. O'Neill, said she thought the stage performance was “elegant, beautiful, and enjoyable.”
“The stories were telling, because the history of China goes back thousands of years,” she added.
Mrs. Crep agreed, saying that you learn so much from Shen Yun.
Performances also feature vocalists singing in bel canto style. The lyrics touch upon the spiritual essence of traditional Chinese culture, conveying themes such as benevolence and justice, propriety and wisdom, and respect for the heavens.
“That was very, very good. It’s so good I came. I almost wasn’t going to come,” Mrs. Crep said.
She said that from now on she wanted to know what Shen Yun was up to. If Shen Yun goes to Naples, I want to know, she said. If it goes to Bonita Springs, I want to know: “I would see it over and over again.”
“Very, very spectacular. Wow!” her daughter said.
Reporting by Marie Yeung and Raiatea Tahana-Reese
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four 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.
