(Minghui.org) Shen Yun Performing Arts treated Pennsylvania audiences to four inspiring shows at Philadelphia's Merriam Theater, on May 3-5, 2013. The Theater is located on the South Broad Street corridor known as the Avenue of the Arts.

Shen Yun Music “Upbeat” and “Melodic,” Says Symphony President

Symphony president Dr. Sherman Leis and his companion, Michelle Rosen

Many distinguished guests of the show marveled at Shen Yun's flawless performance, including Dr. Sherman Leis, who was accompanied by Michelle Rosen, a patron of the arts.

Besides being a co-principal of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Dr. Leis is also a plastic surgeon and president and principal clarinet player of the Lower Merion Symphony Orchestra.

“It’s very interesting—it’s exciting, it’s very upbeat, it’s melodic, it’s pretty,” he said after listening to the Shen Yun Orchestra. “It’s a different sound than Western music.”

Dr. Leis also enjoyed the dance and other aspects of the show. The vocal soloists, he said, have “very beautiful voices,” and the dancing, “is excellent.” And the history presented in the performance, he said, included “a lot of interesting stories.”

Ms. Rosen said Shen Yun was a “totally different” performance than she usually takes in. “I’m enjoying my afternoon,” she exclaimed.

Shen Yun “Captivating,” Says Fashion Designer

Famous fashion designer Albert Nipon

Fashion designers Albert and Pearl Nipon were taken by the sheer beauty of Shen Yun. Mr. Nipon shot to fame in 1984, for his Albert Nipon line of dresses. His clients at the time included Nancy Reagan, Barbara Walters, Rosalynn Carter, and Mary Tyler Moore.

“The whole thing is beautifully choreographed,” Mr. Nipon said of the show. “This is far, far superior to what we saw in China.” He also enjoyed the Shen Yun costumes.

“I didn’t want [the show] to end,” Mrs. Nipon interjected. “We enjoyed it so very much. I’d like to see it again. It’s absolutely sensational.”

Mr. Nipon added, “Their dance culture and their music culture, it shows a very good part of China. It was very entertaining. Just captivating. I was sorry to see it end so soon. I would have like it to go on a little longer.”

Top Doc: Shen Yun is “Very Beautiful and Enjoyable”

Psychiatrist David Buch

Also in the audience was David Buch, who was rated “Top Doc” by the Philadelphia Magazine in 2012. “I really enjoyed the beautiful dancing, and the singers were very impressive,” said Mr. Buch, who was also “very impressed” by the dancing.

“I thought that must have taken a long time to learn,” he said. “Each piece is a story. I do like that. It’s very accessible even to a group that doesn’t speak Chinese.”

Mr. Buch described the orchestra as “very high quality” and “very professional.” He said he “learned about traditional beliefs and how people relate to each other—respect and tradition.”

Regional VP: Shen Yun is “Uplifting”

Bob Donnelly and his wife

Also enjoying the show was Bob Donnelly, regional vice-president for Lincoln Financial. “My best memory is of the ladies gliding across the floor with their little steps and long dresses—I thought that was magic,” said Mr. Donnelly.

He also said that the show was “Uplifting because it’s got positive energy—it’s good over evil. That’s a powerful message.”

Shen Yun “Connects You to All of Humanity,” Says Neuroscientist

Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Newberg

Dr. Andrew Newberg, a neuroscientist, described Shen Yun as spiritually enriching. “To me, it’s highly spiritual—it’s something that really feels like it connects you to all of humanity,” Dr. Newberg said. “And how humanity is connected to the world in general, it’s a wonderful demonstration of that—an expression of the human spirit.”

Besides being the director of research at the Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University, Dr. Newberg has been featured on the cover of Time and Newsweek, and appeared on various television and radio programs, including Good Morning America.

His cutting-edge research focuses on the nature of religious and spiritual practices and experiences, which includes brain scans of people in prayer and meditation, and the effect of meditation on memory.

Dr. Newberg found the show to be “very inspiring,” adding, “You really feel very positive.” He elaborated, “I study how the human brain works, and it’s wonderful to see how the music and the movements and the stories all come together to generate a very powerful feeling inside of you.”

During the show, Dr. Newberg’s view on China shifted. “To see the movement, and the stories, and the rituals, it changes the way that you think, and it’s really very uplifting,” he said. “It really changed the way that I think about China. I’ve never really experienced this before; it’s really been exciting and fascinating and interesting to me.”

Dr. Newberg described Shen Yun's spirituality as “a very exciting display of the culture of China,” adding, “It’s really wonderful to see it all wrapped up in one expression.”

Former Executive: Shen Yun’s Energy “Very High”

Former Singer Corp executive Mario Lionetti and his wife Lois

Mario Lionetti, a former director of planning for the Singer Corporation, and his wife Lois, were thoroughly captivated by Shen Yun. “It was fun, it was exciting … The energy level was high,” said Mr. Lionetti. “I enjoyed it very much. It was very colorful, the dances were excellent.”

Referring to the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China by the Chinese communist regime, Mr. Lionetti said, “People over there [in China] are still suffering under the [communist regime].” Mrs. Lionetti added, “It was inspiring to be able to acknowledge the people who presented this in such a brave way. I hope it brought it to the attention of a lot of people.”

Filled With Hope After Seeing Shen Yun

Sales associate Richard Gaglio

Richard Gaglio was very moved by Shen Yun. “Nothing has excited me as much as seeing this Shen Yun dance [group],” he said. “It blesses you and it moves you, and makes you think beyond just who you are. And it gives you hope that the best is yet to come.”

His continued, “It brings you peace. It brings joy. And it gives you a chance to build hope. Each dance sequence, their faces, their movements, all at the end say: 'There’s hope for tomorrow, there’s a reason to live tomorrow, there’s a reason to go on tomorrow.' And when you can do that without speaking, you’ve elevated not only yourself, but the audience, to a place that they don’t get a chance to go. Ever.”

Mr. Gaglio described the atmosphere in the audience: “Electric isn’t the right word. It’s… there’s… there’s an electricity in the air that makes you want to see more, to look more; it makes you part of the show. You’re not just sitting and watching, you’re sitting and being part of something bigger than what you are.

“If you notice, there’s nobody talking, there’s nobody looking around, everybody is riveted right there on each and every dance and each and every movement. I’d come back. If I live to be 100, I’ll come back every year.”

He remarked about the first song: “Heaven.” “This will take you back to heaven, and it does. Can you be blessed more than that in one night? I don’t think so. And there isn’t an empty seat in the house.

“It should be sold out all across the world. Because if you do this, you’ll find, at least for that night, people come together without their prejudices, without their preconceived ideas, people will come together for that moment. And if they can come together for that moment, they can come together for another moment, and another moment, and another moment.”

Mr. Gaglio concluded: “Over the years, this dance will make a difference not just in New York City, not just in Philadelphia, but throughout the world!”

Sources:

the EpochTimes

NTDTV