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Among those who attended the May 5 presentation at the California Center for the Arts, was Romanian-born Ronique Nilson, a retired fashion designer, friend Pavraz, an electronics engineer, and her son Virgil Nilson.
“Adorable colors, they are beautiful and optimistic,” Ronique said. “It’s a splendid ensemble, with discipline, and beautiful dancing. The singers are excellent. We enjoyed the show, the colors, and definitely the costumes.”
Based in New York, Shen Yun brings to the stage in classical Chinese dance and music, China’s true heritage divinely-bestowed five millennia ago, destroyed under 60-plus years of communist rule.
Among other things, Shen Yun has become known for its hundreds of elaborate and colorful costumes that span a number of dynasties, regions and ethnic traditions.
Ronique’s friend, Pavraz, said he told her earlier, the colors were amazing.
“Very vibrant, very enjoyable. I enjoyed the music also. Without music, it wouldn’t be what it is. It was definitely interesting. I had a new experience," the electronic engineer said.
“The screen made a lot of sense for us, but also the background of the movie and what they did with it—it was very, very interesting. I really enjoyed what the director has done, combining the picture [digital backdrops] and bringing the people to the floor.”
Exquisitely attired dancers choreographed to match hi-tech digital backdrop scenes, portray a collection of stories from ancient times to Chinese society of today and backed by the Shen Yun Orchestra playing a fusion of Eastern and Western instruments.
Award-winning singers and soloist musicians round out the evening's entertainment.
Virgil built on these themes by explaining, “I was also very impressed with the costumes. The choreography was amazing and I loved the singers as well.
“I just thought it was really cool how they used the drums to emphasize certain movements, to emphasize certain beats, and I thought it was really interesting that each dancer could emphasize a part of the dance, acoustically as well as visually with their actual moves, so I thought it was a cool segment.
“Honestly, I liked all of it,” Virgil said. “I thought maybe the ancient stories were a little more fantastic, and I enjoyed that part. It was more fantasy and it fit the costumes well. It kind of took you away.”
Reporting by Flora Ge and Lance Jackson.
[i]Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company will perform at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County, May 6-8. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
