PHILADELPHIA - On January 4, NTDTV's 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular launched its annual worldwide tour. In Philadelphia, audience members were delighted by the show, held at the Merriam Theater at the University of the Arts. Because of the Spectacular's popularity, two companies are touring simultaneously this year, the other starting from Atlanta the same night. The casts are members of Divine Performing Arts.

Prior to the premiere, local VIPs, along with key members of the Divine Performing Arts company, enjoyed a reception hosted by Denise Nakano, a television news co-anchor for Philadelphia's NBC 10.

NBC 10 Anchor Denise Nakano (right) and Mr. Guimin Guan, one of China's most celebrated tenors and the Associate Director of Divine Performing Arts

Dignitaries attending included Pennsylvania's First Lady and current chair of Avenue of the Arts, the Honorable Marjorie O. Rendell. She gave congratulatory remarks and also introduced Harry Kao, who is the executive director of the Governor's Advisory Commission on Asian Affairs. Mr. Kao presented a proclamation honoring the show.

 

 

The word that best described the faces and mood of the audience members after seeing the performances: joyous. During intermission, Bruce Myers, the Facilities Manager of the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia said, "Very excellent show. The dances are phenomenal: the whole show so far is spectacular."

Bruce Myers and his wife Lucy

"Lovely. Loved all the dances," said Susan Greenspon, of Ardmore PA, managing editor of the Main Line Times. "And I loved the Mongolian dance and the Tibetan dance. My daughter liked the fan dance. We liked the drummers, too." She added that she rarely gets to see culture in this depth.

Susan Greenspon and her daughter Joanna

The mood was festive and relaxed as the audience left the theater. Here are just a few comments from attendees after the full show:

"A very powerful presentation. It reminds me of the need for tranquility, peace, compassion and love in our daily lives: a very important message for all generations."

-Murali Kartha, Chairman Pampa Indian Organization

"A truly superb, thought-provoking and moving experience. It gets better each year."

-Prasanna Kartha, President, Indian-American Political Action Society

Prasanna and Murali Kartha, two local supporters dressed as Tang Dynasty royalty, and the Kartha's daughters, Suneeta and Sonia.

"Quite spectacular. The costumes were very beautiful. The precision and synchronicity of the dances added to a special level to the performance. "

-Frank Buolo, MD, Philadelphia

Dr. Frank Buolo