NEW YORK—Tim Quilter, a former member of the U.S. military, came to see Shen Yun at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater on Jan. 11.
“It’s phenomenal, there’s nothing quite like it in the world, I’m fortunate to a get a chance to see all this,” he said.
New York-based Shen Yun revives China’s rich 5,000-year-old culture, displaying ancient legends, ethnic dances, and classical Chinese dance, as well as scenes from contemporary life in China.
Mr. Quilter especially appreciated the performance’s spiritual aspect, a most important element of China’s traditional culture. He also commented on some dances depicting the persecution of spiritual believers in China today.
“I think we’re all spiritual beings, and I don’t think any ideology should repress that common core belief in all of humanity. This is from whence we came. The sole purpose of our being, of our living is to be spiritual in nature and not live some material existence, and I think that’s all there is to life … I think this revival of Chinese culture takes that into account.”
He was so fascinated he said the show must continue for everybody’s benefit. “I think it’s very, very enlightened, and it’s very heartfelt and I think it will bode well for humanity if such traditions can continue.”
Amazing
Jeri Ferrante, a retired administrative assistant, watched the Jan. 11 performance with her extended family.
“It is an amazing performance that brings out such beauty and passion for the Chinese culture and the people themselves, and it is magnificently performed by the artists—both the singers and the dancers,” she said.
Mrs. Ferrante was especially impressed by the skill and beauty of classical Chinese dance.
“I think the Chinese culture and people appreciate the beauty, and they can express it through their art form in such a gorgeous and beautiful manner. It’s amazing,” she said.
According to the Shen Yun website, “The movements of classical Chinese dance are rich in their ability to express a variety of feelings, be it happiness, sorrow, joy, anger, grief, delight, the emotions that come with parting and reuniting, insanity, infatuation, sickness, tipsiness, solemnity, ignobility, majesty, as well as civil, military, and other personalities and stories.”
Through the performance of classical Chinese dance, Mrs. Ferrante took a lot away from the Shen Yun performance:
“I learned a lot today about the Chinese culture, how far back it goes, and how connected the people are with as higher being or a higher purpose through the classical arts.”
10 out of 10
Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Donates, who own a translation company, also saw Shen Yun Jan. 11.
“I loved it,“ said Mrs. Donates. ”I learned so much and loved the dancing, and I loved the presenters telling a little story of what we’re going to see. I loved it very much.”
Mr. Donates said, “It was magnificent. I think it was very precise and all the coloring and all the performance were outstanding. It was great. He especially liked the music: “Without the music there would be no performance.”
The performance features award-winning singers who perform all original pieces, and a full orchestra that is unmatched in its ability to blend Eastern and Western musical traditions.
Overall, Mr. Donates gave Shen Yun a top rating. “Between 1-10, a 10.”
Reporting by NTD Television and Valentin Schmid
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts.
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.
