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MADISON, Wis.—Professor Sarmadi, who teaches at a major Midwestern college, hopes to see more shows like the Divine Performing Arts (DPA) Chinese New Year Spectacular because the experience was enriching for him and his family.
The family attended the DPA performance at Madison's Overture Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the-art building that features a soaring glass lobby and was designed by internationally famous architect Cesar Pelli. This splendid showcase was a fitting venue for DPA's 2009 World Tour.
Speaking of the DPA performance, Dr. Sarmadi said, “I have seen shows in China, but this is spectacular.” He mentioned in particular "the very difficult moves and very beautiful music.”
“But at the same time, I really enjoyed learning about the history of China and why things are happening and why things are like that,” he said. “So, generally it's a very beautiful … show that the director has put together. I really am enjoying it. I hope we have more of this type of interaction coming to Madison.”
Dr. Sarmadi was particularly moved by the dance Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution, which depicts the suffering experienced by an innocent family whose father is persecuted for practicing Falun Dafa, a traditional spiritual discipline. The dance presents the human face of the countless tragic, broken lives in China today. It presents a message of hope and conveys the ancient Chinese belief that good people will ultimately be rewarded.
He said the small girl in this piece was “marvelous.” “The soldiers came and took her father. … The whole story, without [my] knowing any language, the dance and the moves, were very powerful.”
Dr. Sarmadi felt the messages in the performances were important for the people of the world. “It has a major significance any time that we let governments, any governments in any part of the world, take too much power. … They will let the people suffer.
“I really like the way the guy went to heaven, and the saint came and took him to heaven. That was very nice and powerful, a very strong message that at the moment there is a higher power, and no matter what you like to call that higher power, that power is very strong in all of our lives.”
Dr. Sarmadi’s wife and daughter also enjoyed the show. His daughter said, “It was really nice. I liked all the colors. It was very colorful. The costumes were wonderful.”
Mrs. Sarmadi also praised the costumes, describing them as “colorful and beautiful.”
Please see DivinePerformingArts.org for more information.
