New York-based tour Shen Yun Performing Arts presented an array of colors, dance pieces, and folktales in Mesa, Arizona, on Feb. 17. But some audience members described it as more than just a visual treat.
“It was magical, very wonderful, very beautiful, and [I] loved the music very much,” said business development specialist Dan Huffman. He came to Shen Yun with his daughter Abby Abigail Huffman.
“I thought it was just absolutely stunning. There was really no comparison in anything I’ve really ever seen. Just very colorful, vibrant, and just a wonderful performance,” Abby Abigail said.
Julie Moore is a professional dancer and choreographer. She said: “There wasn’t even one flaw that I could see. Every pointed toe, every movement, every hand gesture was exactly the same. It was just graceful. Perfection.”
Shen Yun artists perform with a mission: to revive China’s 5,000-year-old, divinely inspired culture.
Ms. Moore said: “I loved the idea of divine movement and because, as a dancer myself, I find the body to be absolutely a piece of heaven. So to be able to see that many dancers at that caliber of dancing was really fun.”
“The performers give that energy. They share that energy with everyone that watches. Very, very nice,” said Chris Marshman, CEO of nonprofit Search & Rescue.
His wife Franchelle Marshman echoed: “ There’s always hope. It’s never too late [for that] kind of a thing.”
Theater-goers said they also found value in the performance as it relates to the present.
“We learned that we have a lot in common in striving for good and tradition and to avoid a lot of the things that have come out in the world that lead us away from family and God,” said Preston Webb, the owner of a construction company.
Most Shen Yun’s dancers and musicians are practitioners of Falun Gong, an ancient spiritual practice based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. These are conveyed throughout their performance.
Warren Luccitti owns a law firm. He said: “the idea of truthfulness, compassion, tolerance. I mean, how do you argue with that? Really. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Isn’t that what humanity is about? The timing is perfect. We need to see more performances like this. We need more people to come out and see it. I think it’s a very good message.”
“I think it’s important to promote things like this. It brings a lot more positivity to the world. Goodness and happiness are important things to share,” said Mr. Huffman.
Shen Yun is now touring the world with eight companies. It will make stops in Minnesota, Texas, and other states in February.
NTD News, Mesa, Arizona
