NEW YORK—Amid soaring flips, graceful dances, and ancient Chinese tales, two theater-goers were in awe of Shen Yun Performing Arts’ digital backdrop during Saturday afternoon’s performance at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater.
“It’s very fascinating. I like the interaction between the dancers and the AV that’s happening on stage,” said Megan Jones Holt, owner of a packing company Boxes For Youth.
Her husband of more than 20 years, Matt Holt, was equally impressed.
“Aside from the color and the synchronicity of the dancers, the interaction between the media screen and the ability to tie that together with the dancers on the stage—it makes it absolutely beautiful,” he said.
According to Shen Yun Performing Arts’ website, “With state-of-the-art graphics technology, Shen Yun’s digital-backdrop team creates vividly animated settings, extending the stage and transporting the audience to a world where heaven and earth are one.”
New York-based Shen Yun was founded in 2006, says its website, and has three performances companies and orchestras traveling the world with one mission: to revive 5,000 years of divinely inspired Chinese culture after more than 60 years of communist rule in China threatened to destroy it.
Courage and Spirituality
Shen Yun features tales from ancient China right up to today. One of Shen Yun’s tales of modern day courage stood out to Rosie Luperena, a New York City Department of Transportation manager.
“It was beautiful,” she said. It was the piece Choice that stood out for her.
The Choice takes place in present day China where two friends find themselves divided—one takes up a peaceful spiritual practice called Falun Gong and the other joins the Chinese police, according to the program book. When the Chinese regime outlaws the Falun Gong practice and begins to persecute the group, the latter friend must choose where he stands.
“It was just touching. I mean, the whole show was touching, but this was the most touching.” Ms. Luperena said. “I loved it,”
Her show companion, a real estate investor, enjoyed the depth of the cultural aspect.
“It is good to see a different culture, expressing itself … and being one with the universe,” he said.
Reporting by NTD Television and Chris Holehouse.
New York-based Shen Yun has three companies touring the world. Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company will perform at New York’s Lincoln Center through Jan. 15.
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.
