Jan 2, 2009

LOS ANGELES--Divine Performing Arts continues the U.S. leg of its world tour, currently playing eight shows in Los Angeles.

Mr. Chang Weisberg, executive producer of a 2007 film, creator, and former publisher of a magazine, attended the DPA show at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on New Year's Eve to "celebrate Chinese culture."

"I think the show is beautiful, all the history," he said. "I'm Chinese and Jewish. My mother is Chinese. ... It's a different experience, and I wanted my son to experience it. My son is here and so is my wife."

In fact, seven family members attended the show with Mr. Weisberg. He is also a well-known concert promoter and founder of a clothing line.

"This is explaining legends and lore from thousands of years [ago]. This is not centered around one particular story. This is like a book of a thousand stories all put into one. So it's very interesting to try and absorb all of it."

Mr. Weisberg said the DPA's portrayal of traditional Chinese culture is "very different" from anything he had seen before.

"The live music, the costumes, the pageantry, the culture is there--it's a unique presentation," he said.

"I think all of it is inspiring. All the composition, different themes, everything, it's very interesting. And this is my first experience with it. Here it's not about the overwhelming production value; it's in the choreography, it's in the colors, it's in the costumes and the composition of the music. It's a different experience."

He was impressed by the choreography and the "fluid movements" of the dancers.
"I think the most beautiful movements are the slower movements, and they work well with the costumes. It all ties in very well. And the choreographers did an excellent job."

DPA's full orchestra that combines both Western and Chinese instruments--something unique--struck a chord with Mr. Weisberg as well.

"The orchestra I think is amazing. I think the music is very good, different from traditional American music. I think there's a blend there, though--the instrumentation is obviously a blend of Eastern and Western, a unique blend. You definitely notice it.

"I think the music is very calming. I feel comfortable. It's not sharp, not thunderous. It's not over amplified. What's unique is that the orchestra is not carrying as much as the tenor."

Guimin Guan, one of China's most celebrated tenors in recent decades, touched many with his powerful voice in his rendition of "Let Me Not Regret."

"I think the tenor singer impressed me the most," said Mr. Weisberg. "His voice carried very well. He was far from the microphone and didn't need the amplification. His voice was so strong that it carried through to the audience."

He added that it will take time for him to fully absorb the essence of the show.

"I think that everybody will see something different. Everybody can relate to that particular ideology that you are here on Earth and trying to find your place. I'm just absorbing it right now.

This is not the type of experience that right away evokes a response. This is the kind of experience that over the next week or months, you'll take it in more--at least for me."

Just a few words, Mr. Weisberg concluded, can describe the DPA performance: "Very simple but beautiful."

http://en.epochtimes.com/n2/content/view/9602/