(Minghui.org) The Marion Oliver McCaw Hall played host to the world-renowned Shen Yun Performing Arts, for five shows, on March 28-31, 2013, in Seattle, Washington.
“You Shouldn’t Miss [Shen Yun],” Says Rep. Linda Kochmar
Rep. Linda Kochmar (R-Wash.) (Photo courtesy of NTD Television)
VIPs in over 100 cities around the world are fast discovering the consummate beauty of Shen Yun, one of them being former mayor and current Washington State Representative Linda Kochmar.
“I’m loving the show! Wonderful, wonderful history,” she said. “It’s just a pleasure for me to be here.”
Rep. Kochmar said that she was touched by the entire performance.
“Well, it’s a wonderful performance. It’s first class,” she said. “I can’t believe how beautifully presented it is, particularly using the interactive [technology], with the video and the performers—very, very eye opening.”
The interactive technology that Rep. Kochmar was referring to is the digital backdrop that “creates vividly animated settings, extending the stage and transporting the audience to a world where heaven and earth are one,” according to the Shen Yun website.
Commenting on several of the dance sets that portray the Communist regime's 10-year persecution of Falun Dafa, Ms. Kochmar said, “It’s kind of frightening ... and if Falun Dafa has been persecuted for 10 years, I certainly would like to know why—and so that’s been very revealing to me.”
She said the performance that stood out the most for her was “Sand Monk Is Blessed.”
“I think the one with the fish coming out of the sea, and then the divine person revealing herself at the end,” was very meaningful,” she said.
In “Sand Monk Is Blessed,” the Goddess of Mercy intervenes to halt the fighting that has been taking place in the performance.
Rep. Kochmar said that the Shen Yun performance is “something you shouldn’t miss,” adding, “It’s something that you need to understand.
“In particular with the Asian culture, we’re becoming much more of a global culture, and we need to understand each other,” she explained. “And I think that that’s very, very important.”
Rep. Bruce Chandler Calls Shen Yun “An Extravagant Show”
Rep. Bruce Chandler (R-Wash.) (Photo courtesy of NTD Television)
Also in the audience was Republican Bruce Chandler (R-Wash.), who described Shen Yun as “spectacular,” “an extravagant show,” and “very dynamic.”
Rep. Chandler mentioned that he has visited China before and took in some dance performances, “But this one is outstanding,” he said.
He was touched by the “flawless” singing of the bel canto soloists, which he said “fills the entire theater.”
Mr. Chandler summed up his experience of Shen Yun by saying, “first of all, it’s extravagant. It’s a very extensive show—from the costumes, and the dialogue, and the music—and it’s also very dramatic.”
He added, “It brings out the richness of all the history of Chinese culture,” and “helps me put the different values together. It’s a great education.”
Shen Yun Is “Flawless,” Says Rep. Jan Angel
Rep. Jan Angel (R-Wash.) (Photo courtesy of NTD Television)
Another VIP, Republican Jan Angel (R-Wash.), said the Shen Yun show was “amazing!”
“My daughters make their living in the performing arts and I keep thinking, ‘I wish they were here with me that they could see this.’ The performance so far to me has been flawless. It’s wonderful.”
The performances feature classical Chinese dance, a live orchestra that blends instruments of East and West, and spectacular vocal performances.
Rep. Angel said she that most enjoyed the male dancing “because I don’t get to see quite as many of them, and I enjoy the precision. And I know from watching my children how hard these moves are, and they’ve been flawless.”
She added, “Of course, the live music is amazing, too. I’ve played in a symphony, so I was listening to the oboe then the drums coming in.
“So I think it all comes together, and the background with the different scenes is just great!
Ms. Angel elaborated, “The costumes are amazing, and the coordination between the sets and the costume, and of course the flawless dancing and music—I’m very impressed. Very impressed.”
She said that she would recommend the performance to her colleagues and staff, giving the show perfect marks.
Sen. Rodney Tom Finds Deep Inner Meaning in Shen Yun
Sen. Rodney Tom (D-Wash.) and his wife Deborah (Photo courtesy of The Epoch Times)
Another Washington state official, Senator Rodney Tom (D-Wash.), said he enjoyed every aspect of the show.
Sen. Tom said that “all the colors, the activity, the choreography, and the athleticism,” were “great.”
“It was neat how it was all put together—and the rich history—and how it all coalesced,” he noted.
The senator said that he was impressed by how long classical Chinese dance, which is known for its incredible flips and spins and its gentle elegance, has been a part of China’s history.
“Just the rich history, the nature of the dance, which has been part of the culture and the history of Chinese dance. So, that’s one thing I did learn.
“I think what [Shen Yun] shows us is how much we’re alike, rather than how different we are,” he said.
He continued, “Although many people have lots of different beliefs, when you bundle those down to the core essence, we’re much more alike—and much more cohesive—than our beliefs are different.”
Sen. Tom concluded by reemphasizing the performance’s all-around extraordinary arrangement.
“The movement of the music itself, and how that goes together with the dance, is pretty incredible,” he said.
Sen. Mike Padden Praises Shen Yun’s “Tremendous Talent”
Sen. Mike Padden (R-Wash.) and his wife Laura (Photo courtesy of The Epoch Times)
Also attending the show was Senator Mike Padden (R-Wash.), who was accompanied by his wife, Laura.
“I enjoyed it a lot,” said Sen. Padden. “It’s a different culture that we’re not used to, but the dancers and singers have tremendous talent.”
The senator described the dances as “fantastic,” adding, “It all went together very well.”
“I like the last dance best, said Mrs. Padden. “It was very energetic—and the drums, I like the drums.”
After watching Shen Yun, the senator was able to draw some similarities between Eastern and Western beliefs, something that he was previously unaware of.
Retired Reporter: Shen Yun's “5,000 Years Are United by a Thought”
Retired Seattle news correspondent Bryan Johnson (Photo courtesy of The Epoch Times)
Bryan Johnson, a retired Seattle news correspondent, described Shen Yun as “absolutely wonderful!”
Mr. Johnson, who was in the news business for over 50 years, recalled last year’s performances in Seattle, when Chinese consulate officials in San Francisco sent a letter to Seattle City Council members urging them not to attend the show.
“This time,” he said, “I opened up the magazine and there’s a welcome letter from nearly every congressman, both senators, several members of the City Council, several members of the County Council, and state lawmakers. Which indicates to me, above everything else, that art has a way of overcoming politics.”
Audience members are often surprised to hear that Shen Yun cannot be seen in China today. In fact, there is no other performance like it in China.
Mr. Johnson said that it would be good if more people acknowledged the truth that’s all around us.
“Perhaps we have lived in darkness for a long time,” he said. “We know very little about Chinese history and Chinese culture.”
Mr. Johnson concluded, “The show makes you think there’s so much more. You get a feeling that all 5,000 years are united by a thought—a thought that there is something bigger than us.”
Sources: the EpochTimes.com, NTDTV.org
Category: Shen Yun Performing Arts
