SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Former State Official Pleased to Be Introduced to Traditional Chinese Culture Through Shen Yun

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Former State Official Pleased to Be Introduced to Traditional Chinese Culture Through Shen Yun
Jim Cavanaugh and his wife Wilson Kimball attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at The Palace Theatre on April 29, 2023. Erin Xia/The Epoch Times

STAMFORD, Conn.—Jim Cavanaugh, president of Yonkers Industrial Development, and his wife Wilson Kimball attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at The Palace Theatre on April 29.

Of the performance, Mr. Cavanaugh said: “The dancers are amazingly talented. This is the first time we have been to a performance. It was a gift to us, so we weren’t entirely sure what to expect. But really quite outstanding.”

“I think I like it all,” he said. “The dancing is very graceful. It is good to see what traditional Chinese dance is. We don’t see a lot of it in this country, so I’m really pleased to be introduced to it. And it’s very inventive. Very inventive. So we’re enjoying it a lot.”

Based in New York, Shen Yun was founded in 2006 by leading Chinese artists and quickly became the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company. Shen Yun’s mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture.

He said how much he appreciated the culture of China. “I think China is a country with a very, very long history. Perhaps one of the longest in the world, and one of the oldest developed cultures in the world. So the thought that we are able to appreciate that culture and see it expressed is a great thing.”

Mr. Cavanaugh took note of the present situation in China. “There was one piece that particularly spoke to what is going on in China today. I think it’s a good thing that is part of the program. I think people need to appreciate what is happening. It was introduced to the program, but not in an overwhelming way. So I think it was the right balance.”

Mrs. Kimball said she enjoyed the “Water Sleeves” piece. “It was so beautiful and so lyrical. And the women were amazingly graceful and their ability to perform that dance is something special,” she said.

Another dance also moved her: “I just want to say that the emotion conveyed at the sacrifice of the mother or the loss of a child is so palatable. You can actually feel it when it’s being danced on stage.”

Mr. Cavanaugh was also impressed with how the dance was synchronized with the animated background. “It’s really quite amazing how they integrate the live dancing with the background and the screen. It’s almost seamless. I haven’t really seen that before, so it was fun to watch.”

Shen Yun ’A beautiful art form’

Saral Mehr attended Shen Yun Performing Arts with his daughter at the Palace Theater on April 29. (Sunny Chen/The Epoch Times)
Saral Mehr attended Shen Yun Performing Arts with his daughter at the Palace Theater on April 29. Sunny Chen/The Epoch Times

Saral Mehra, director at the Yale School of Medicine, was impressed with the professional level of the performance. “I think it’s wonderful, very professional, and high-quality dancing. I think the acrobatics are amazing, and I really enjoy the dancing, the spinning, and ballet. And I really enjoy when they jumped into the screen. Those transitions are really cool,” he said.

He spoke of how traditional Chinese culture is coming back. “I think it’s very important and beautiful to watch. Traditional Chinese dance continues to thrive, and it’s a beautiful art form.”

When asked about the educational value that Shen Yun brings, Mr. Mehra said, “I think there a lot of great artistry to learn.”
His daughter said she learned “history.”

Mr. Mehra enjoyed the high quality of the orchestra. “I think the orchestra is amazing, and really high quality music.”

He noted the high energy of the performers and said the energy came “from the heart.“ He was sure of that ”because my daughter said so." 
He said his daughter was very happy to see Shen Yun. 
Reporting by Erin Xia and Sunny Chen.
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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