Over the Easter Weekend, New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts held three performances at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre. Theatergoers were enchanted.
Ali Tucker owns the event planning company Ali Tucker’s Artistic Entertaining. She watched Shen Yun with her husband on a date.
“Shen Yun has been a feast for the senses. Visually, I’ve never seen anything like it. The sound is spectacular. You can feel the touch of the performers with every graceful move that they make,” Tucker said.
Shen Yun showcases China’s vast history and diversity with story-based classical Chinese dance. Tucker said Shen Yun was her first Chinese cultural experience, and it’s been educational.
“The stories—for me it’s been a compilation of opera, of vignettes. Almost like it’s a concert, but it’s all different eras. I’ve been absolutely amazed that we go way back in history— You know, 5000 years ago to the current day. I’m being educated,” said Tucker
Dr. Paul Kent, MD is a pediatric hematology-oncology specialist with the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He said Shen Yun helped him see the real China: “You get to see what China is really about, and the beauty and the diversity and the culture and the infinite amount of different peoples that are part of this amazing land.”
On top of that, Shen Yun also exposes modern-day human rights violations committed by the Chinese Communist Party. Dr. Sandra Rafael, who is an optometrist and president of Chicago Eyes LLC, expressed her sympathy for the Chinese people. “It’s heartbreaking when you see that a society doesn’t have the freedom to be who they are or want to be.”
Audience members say they feel the spiritual heart of Shen Yun. Mike Culos, who is the president of B & A Plumbing, Inc., thinks Shen Yun’s spiritual message provoked thoughts beyond everyday life. “It’s an uplifting spiritual performance where it gets you to think. And in this day and age, you need to think, and you think to higher things than just humanity,” he said.
Tucker said she was especially touched by the message from a song sung by the soprano: “One of the highlights was the soprano, singing that beautiful song accompanied by the pianist and the translation of the simple words of how incredibly important it is to never be sidetracked by bad and evil, but to always look for good and the wonder in life. Beautiful.”
Tuck said that she has three grown children and highly recommended they see Shen Yun. She hopes Shen Yun will carry on its mission to benefit future generations. “Please, please don’t ever let the show go away. Make sure it is a part of all the generations to come,” said Tucker.
Shen Yun will be back in the Chicago area from April 20 to April 30.
NTD News, Chicago, Illinois
