HOUSTON—Shen Yun Performing Arts’ second to last performance at Jones Hall in Houston on Dec. 26 was welcomed with a full house.
“It’s beautiful, it’s incredibly beautiful. I’m really impressed by the dancers and the musicians as well as the costume designers,” said Mr. Rob Palmer, a martial arts teacher and massage therapist.
Mr. Palmer found the New York-based company’s stories told through dance to be inspiring.
“The joy from the monks have; it’s funny and incredible. I spent some time in a sort of monastic environment and experienced a little bit of that feeling and [it] brought it back. It was very very nice to see,” Mr. Palmer said.
The dance Joyful Little Monks left the audience laughing and clapping throughout the piece, while the little monks of a serene and secluded monastery found joy and humor even in their daily chores like tidying up the temple.
As someone familiar with Eastern philosophy through martial arts, he felt the performance held a message that was “maybe something even deeper … beyond philosophy.”
Mr. Palmer attended the performance with Ms. Melissa Riedel, who thought the show was an “amazing and mesmerizing experience.”
“I’m inspired by the show; by the flexibility, by the talent, by the décor, the costumes, it’s absolutely brilliant. It’s amazing!” Ms. Riedel said.
“I like the meditation … I do meditation, so I think that was the most touching,” Ms. Riedel referred to the dances about Falun Gong, a spiritual meditation practice.
She said she found the spiritual aspect of Chinese culture to be incredible, and something that resonated with her, and the scenery of China depicted was “gorgeous, very spiritual” as well.
Shen Yun’s digital backdrop transports the audience into a world where heaven and earth are one, according to the official website, and this year’s program includes settings ranging from the lush countryside where the Qiang ethnic group resided, to the imperial courtyard during China’s final dynasty.
“It’s inspiring,” Ms. Riedel said.
Reporting by Sally Sun and Catherine Yang.
Shen Yun has three companies touring the world. Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company will perform at Houston’s Jones Hall through Tuesday, Dec. 27. For more information visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
