(Clearwisdom.net) New Tang Dynasty Television's (NTDTV) Chinese New Year Spectacular presented five shows at the The University of the Arts Merriam Theater, the final one on January 6, 2008. The Divine Performing Arts Touring Company won high acclaim and received rave reviews from the audience. Attendees from all walks of life expressed their appreciation for the performances. The following is a transcript of interviews with audience members that was broadcast on the Minghui Radio Station.
(Female) "Full of energy, wonderful, brilliant, truly excellent."
(Male) "I loved the dances, costumes, music and language. I loved it all."
[Voice-over] The show attracted many Chinese people. They are very excited and feel very proud [to see traditional Chinese culture showcased in the Spectacular].
(Male and Female) "Very good, very good! Excellent!"
(Male) "I came last year, and I'll come in the future."
(Male) "The performance was really excellent, wonderful!"
(Female) "I was moved! How I loved it!"
(Male) "There were many Westerners in the audience today. They applauded enthusiastically."
(Female) "I think it is very good. Everybody should take the opportunity to see it."
(Mr. Gong, a physicist from Shanghai) "Originally, when I saw the comments in the newspaper, saying such things as 'world-class' and 'magnificent,' I had some doubts about it. Today, after having seen the show, I really feel they were not idle boasts. It is truly touching, and of such a high level, that it transports us to an artistic realm. I studied music and have played violin since my childhood, and I'm quite critical when it comes to the arts, but I think, today, I'm satisfied. It's a moment of satisfaction."
(Female) "I hope you will have opportunities to go back to mainland China to perform for people there. What the Chinese Communist Party claims [to be "culture"] is not culture. You are truly promoting traditional culture, the culture of the Chinese nation. You won recognition for the Chinese people. It's really terrific! "
[Voice-over] A Chinese dance teacher has seen NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular in previous years. This year, she recommended the show to 50 of her friends.
(Female) In total, there are 50 people here in our group, including family members.
[Voice-over] Western people were captivated by the inner connotations of the authentic Chinese culture depicted in the performances.
(Male) "I enjoyed the Chinese culture, and also respect it."
(Female) "This is a proud culture."
(Male) "We've definitely learned more about traditional Chinese culture. We only know the Chinese culture [influenced by the rule of the Chinese Communist Party], but it is not authentic traditional Chinese culture and [doesn't approach] its spiritual level, so it's good to see more traditional aspects of China and its heritage."
[Voice-over] The performance transcended all the boundaries of nationality, race, age, and belief. People from all walks of life praised the high artistry of the Divine Performing Arts, and were also amazed and moved by its interpretation of divinity.
(Male) "Even if the beautiful Chinese characters and subtitles in English were not on the backdrops, we could still sense the descent of the divine. That is very important. Because of it, people are complete and happy."
(Female) "I loved the spiritual meaning of the whole performance."
(Male) "From your inner being, you will think about who you are, how to live, and what kind of life to choose."
(Female) "The performance and performers emitted energy; you could feel that the performance literally touched our hearts. I loved it."
(Male) "My deepest impression was 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.'"
(Ms. Dai Yuzhen, an accountant from New Jersey) "Honestly speaking, my favorite is that Falun Gong [dance/drama]. The storyline seemed so real, and I was touched. People are so kind, but the Communist Party persecutes them. It goes against the law of heaven!"
(Female) "It really affected me. It reflected the persecution of people who have beliefs, but the divine and Buddha's realm helps people maintain their beliefs."
(A person from India) "A show like this gives people an impression of being on the path to return home. [It causes us to] adjust the focus of our lives."
(Female) "I really want to go to New York to see the performance by both the Divine Performing Arts New York Company and their Touring Company."
(Male) "It's the second time that I came to see the show. I'll definitely come again next year."
(Female) "I'll be back next year."
