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New Brunswick: Shen Yun Moves Audience Members Through Classical Chinese Dance (Photos)

June 23, 2010 |  

(Clearwisdom.net) Shen Yun Performing Arts put on two shows at the State Theater in New Brunswick, New Jersey, on June 20.

Jeff Post stands in the lobby of the State Theater in New Brunswick after seeing the June 20 performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts.

"Each Story Was Told So Beautifully"

One audience member, Jeff Post, who works in finance, thought Shen Yun was a "fabulous production." "I loved the orchestra; the costumes were amazing. Each story was told so beautifully.

"The whole production was just fantastic," said Mr. Post, who brought his mother and father to see the show on Father's Day.

"It was very moving at times. It was beautifully done. The choreography was spectacular, and the costumes--wonderful. Everyone seemed to enjoy it."

The interactive, digital backdrops especially stood out for Mr. Post, who said. "It was interesting how they interact with the live performance, with the screen, and with the graphics behind them. I haven't seen that before; I enjoyed that."

"It's Breathtaking!"

Also in the audience was Maryanne Campagna, a teacher who adopted her five-year-old daughter from China when she was just nine months old. She plans on bringing her to next year's Shen Yun when it returns to her city.

"I love it," said Ms. Campagna. "I was impressed by the culture.

"It's moving for me. I can't wait to bring my daughter. I recommend this show to all families. It's entertainment that just makes you appreciate a culture which has been around for a very long time."

The audience at the first performance in the State Theater in New Brunswick

Ms. Campagna was completely awe-struck after seeing Shen Yun, saying, "It is very colorful. The dancers are in sync with each other. The small movements are just so graceful, and it just blends together so nicely.

"It's like a whole story coming to life in front of you. It's breathtaking! I was just sitting there, probably with my mouth open the entire time."

Ms. Compagna's mother-in-law, Loretta Compagna, a retired secretary, added, "I loved it. I enjoyed the color, I enjoyed the gracefulness. I enjoy the culture, also."

Before seeing the show, Loretta was wondering if her granddaughter would like it. Afterward she commented, "She'll love it!"

Musician: "The Singers Had Tremendous Voices and the Dancers Are 'Perfection'"

Musician, Margaret Grey and her husband, Robert, thought the show was wonderful. Ms. Grey was especially captivated by the costumes.

She said she was "... particularly interested in the percussion section, which are all females. I feel this is a new direction for percussion that I haven't seen before."

Ms. Grey enjoyed the other artistic aspects of the show, adding, "The singers had tremendous voices, and the dancers are 'perfection' itself."

The dance set that particularly caught her eye was "Tibetan Dance of Praise," because "it included the men and the women with such expression in their dancing."

In this lively scene, the dancers, dressed in the traditional attire of Tibetan nobility, depict the joy of life in the snowy Himalayan plateau.

"I Think It's Amazing"

Nathan Riggins, a chemist, attended the show accompanied by his wife, Tonya, an elementary school art teacher and professional painter. The couple had a great time.

Ms. Riggins exclaimed, "As an artist I think it's amazing--the colors and the movements."

Ms. Riggins used to perform color guards (flag spinning), so she really appreciated the skill of the dancers and their movements and how everything came together in the choreography.

Mr. Riggins said, "I have never been to anything like this. It's really enjoyable. I actually liked the singing particularly, because I don't get to go to too many concerts, so I enjoyed the singing a lot."

Artist: "I Think It's Just Absolutely Spellbinding!"

Sarita Cook, an artist originally from England, with her husband

Artist Sarita Cook has just finished writing and illustrating her first children's story.

"I thought the show was absolutely magnificent," enthused Ms. Cook, adding, "I was prepared for the beauty and the talent and the way of dancing, but it was just stunning."

Ms. Cook is a Buddhist and has been influenced by traditional Chinese art ever since she took a course in London, where she is from.

She also knows a lot about Chinese history and collects Chinese art and old manuscripts. "The culture fascinates me, the country fascinates me," she explained.

The show touched her heart. "Artistically, it spoke to me; visually, it spoke to me."

After seeing the two dances portraying the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of Falun Gong in China, Ms. Cook realized that people could learn a lot about the persecution by seeing the show. She thought that it warranted more publicity.

She explained, "I just think it's absolutely spellbinding. People should go and see it. I think we really need to publicize what is happening in China. It's not a free country."

The most poignant aspects of the show for Ms. Cook concerned human rights and moral values.

Being unaware of the persecution of Falun Gong in China, she was moved by the courage of the Shen Yun performers, feeling that their work is essential and that Americans can learn a lot from these worthy values.

"I think the show should travel to as many places as possible and be advertised as much as possible so that people can be awakened, because that's really what the American culture needs," she said.

Sources:

http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/37699/

http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/37710/

http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/37724/