SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun an ‘Absolute Feast for the Senses,’ Says Grandmother of 12

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Shen Yun an ‘Absolute Feast for the Senses,’ Says Grandmother of 12
(L–R) Fred and Anna Schmude, Ingrid Hamilton and her husband attend Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Jones Hall for the Performing Arts in Houston, Texas, on Dec. 30, 2023. Sonia Wu/The Epoch Times
HOUSTON, Texas—Shen Yun Performing Arts performed at the Jones Hall for the Performing Arts in Houston, Texas on Dec. 30. Meteorologist Fred Schmude and his wife, Anna Schmude, who is a fertility specialist, attended the performance with Ingrid Hamilton and her husband. Mrs. Hamilton, a grandmother of 12, said Shen Yun is “an absolute feast for the senses.”

This was Mrs. Hamilton’s second time seeing New-York-based Shen Yun, which has special effects on an animated backdrop that are “in tune with Star Wars; all your senses are involved,” she said. “Not only is it basically so beautiful and such a wonder, [there is] the dexterity and talent of all the actors.”

But there was more in the performance. “It has a spiritual dimension. Very much so,” she said, especially of the vocalists. “When the baritone and tenor were singing, it showed the lyrics. I think it’s very prophetic, very prophetic.”

The stories reminded Mrs. Hamilton of books about China by American author Pearl Buck and the loss of tradition in the present day.

“[They] tell of the China of ancient times. It’s such a pity that this is banned from China. The Chinese people are deprived of their heritage, of their tradition, of the beauty of their country. It makes me sad that this iron grip is on China by the communists and atheists. They don’t see the beauty of their own ancestry, their own country,” she said.

Mrs. Schmude also loved the performance. “It’s fantastic. I love it so much—and I see a lot of Christian values there. Values are so beautiful that they bring truth, beauty and goodness, as is in our faith too,” she said. “This is so beautiful—the values, traditions, and respect for what is good.”
She was impressed at how the women expressed their femininity and the men their masculinity in the dances: “true femininity and true masculinity.”

Mr. Schmude said the performance was “spectacular—we loved it a lot. It was very entertaining.” He liked the music especially. “I liked the songs. The music was very inspiring to me as far as the messages that it related to.”

He resonated with the message of virtuous living. “Right living, because we’re living in very challenging times right now and the message about doing what’s right and avoiding evil: that message came across very clearly. It inspired me as far as our relationship with God and our Creator, and drawing closer to him.”

Mr. Schmude said he would definitely recommend Shen Yun to others. “I would say it’s something that is very entertaining and very inspiring, and something well worth it. Well worth it.”

With shows scheduled in over 200 cities and across five continents, the 2024 touring season is shaping up to be the artists’ busiest one yet.

Through classical Chinese dance and music, Shen Yun is sharing with the world the beauty of China’s authentic 5,000 years of history. Since its founding in 2006, the company has received worldwide accolades on its mission to revive traditional Chinese culture.

Maintain One’s Culture and Pass It to the Next Generation: Human Resource Director

Angie Araiza (L) and her mother attend Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Jones Center for the Performing Arts in Houston, Texas, on Dec. 30, 2023. (Sonia Wu/The Epoch Times)
Angie Araiza (L) and her mother attend Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Jones Center for the Performing Arts in Houston, Texas, on Dec. 30, 2023. Sonia Wu/The Epoch Times

Angie Araiza, human resources director at Liberty Materials, said this was her first time seeing Shen Yun. “It was a wonderful show. It was amazing. It was just beautiful.”

She especially liked the women’s classical Chinese dance and “the way [the dancers] transformed into such beautiful flowers and danced at the same time.”

Ms. Araiza said it’s important to maintain tradition and pass it on to future generations. “I love that. I love trying to maintain the culture, trying to maintain the history that comes from all the different cultures. That’s great to teach to other generations and to keep it alive.”

She noted the excellence of China’s traditional culture in the performances. “China has a really good culture. I think that’s a great message to give to other generations.”

Ms. Araiza said she and her mother would be coming back to see Shen Yun again.

Reporting by Sonia Wu and Yvonne Marcotte.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
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