Shen Yun Resonates with Theatergoers in Houston: “It Was Emphasizing What We Have in Common”

(Clearwisdom.net) Shen Yun Performing Arts continued to thrill theatergoers at the Jones Hall in Houston, Texas, on December 22, 2011, its second day at the venue.

Using classical Chinese dance and music as its artistic platform, the company presented a spectacular array of rich cultural traditions that value virtue, wisdom, compassion and reverence for the divine, and showcased the vast diversity of China, which is home to more than fifty ethnic groups.

Established in 2006 and based in New York, Shen Yun aims to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture, which has been largely lost under communist rule over the past sixty years.

Computer sales professional: “Come and see it. It’s worth it!”

Mr. Gary Suttles and his wife, Ms. Kathy Suttles, both of whom work in computer sales, attended the performance on Thursday night.

“[It’s ] very nice, very impressive. It’s wonderful,” said Mr. Suttles. “I liked the colors, graceful dancing, soothing music—very soothing.”

Mrs. Suttles agreed, “It’s beautiful. The costumes, the dancing, the athleticism—it’s wonderful.” She was especially touched by the dance called “The Choice,” which she thought “brought current with past.” “That was interesting,” she said. “You could tell that it was about … the choices that people had to make—and still have to make.”

“Come and see it. It’s worth it!” Mrs. Suttles advised those who haven’t yet seen the performance.

Retired corporate consultant: “It was emphasizing what we have in common”

Ms. Peggy Granger, who had specialized in corporate training and development prior to her retirement, thought the performance was “absolutely wonderful.”

“Beautiful costuming, beautiful coloring [and] all of the scenery that they show … And the dancing was just magnificent,” she said.

“Plus, I enjoyed the theme of the stories that they showed,” Ms. Granger continued. “I thought that it was a beautiful contrast to what we have seen in the last few years about China. To realize that there is a long history of morality and spirituality and goodness. This period where Mao and the communists have been in power does not represent the true history of China. Five thousand years—obviously there had been a lot of other history.”

She said she also enjoyed the theme of spirituality in the show. “The fact that there are heavenly beings that help us fits very well with [my faith],” she noted. “I’m Catholic—we pray to our saints and ask for their help, their intercession with the divine. It showed me that it was emphasizing what we have in common.”

When asked to name her favorite piece of the performance, Ms. Granger replied without hesitation, “I liked all of them.”