Shen Yun Audience Member Speaks Poetry After the Performance

PHILADELPHIA—Celestial maidens with heavenly flutes, playful and mischievous monks, the ethnic Yi dancers with fanciful hand drums—all of these are scenes illustrated by the world’s premier Chinese classical dance and music company: Shen Yun Performing Arts.

The New York-based Shen Yun graced the stage of the nation’s oldest grand opera house, The Academy of Music in Philadelphia, bringing out fanciful observations from at least one audience member.

“I would definitely say that there was a mass amount of value [in Shen Yun]. Sincerely, I enjoyed myself verily,” said Mr. Michael McLaughlin, a real estate developer from Philadelphia.

“It was superb. The whole thing,” commented Mr. McLaughlin who liked the Plum Blossom dance. “I like the idea of, I didn't know that there was a winter flower that bloomed, the one that was the celestial one,” said Mr. McLaughlin, referring to the plum blossoms.

Another dance, The Heroic Liu Zhichen, is a story-based dance that depicts a drunken monk who ends up saving the villagers from bandits.

“That was kind of funny, that had some funny [parts] and he was the hero at the end,” recalled Mr. McLaughlin.

Shen Yun specializes in large-scale, choreographed, Chinese classical dance performances, as well as bel canto singing.

Mr. McLaughlin was especially impressed by contralto Jiansheng Yang, a graduate of China’s prestigious Central Conservatory of Music with a rare voice.

“She was going some seriously deep, deep singing. I mean I have a man’s voice and I think it’s hard for me to hit those kinds of notes,” said Mr. McLaughlin.

He also praised soprano Haolan Geng, a graduate of the Guangdong Conservatory of Music, and first place winner of the New Tang Dynasty Television’s 2009 International Chinese Vocal Competition.

Her rendition of “The Purpose of Life” left Mr. McLaughlin’s ears ringing.

“I could feel it on the inside. I don't know if it was the room, but … .” he continued.

And I liked the little Haikus, or short poetic verses, like the one that says ‘For truth is the key to life.’

“That was awesome too. I like that, and it’s true. Truth is the key to life,” added the real estate developer enthusiastically.

For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org

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