Audience members watching Shen Yun on Jan. 24 and 25 in Sacramento said the performance was very moving. They also appreciated the storytelling through dance and music.
“I thought it was fantastic,” said Christine Fruehauf, an oncology hematology specialist. “I loved all the characterization, the history of China, how they took us through so many different scenarios, and where China is today.”
“I almost wept because it’s so marvelous. It’s so beautiful, so coordinated, so strong,” said Tom Barr, a concert pianist.
“I love the graceful sleeve dance,” said Laura Crockett, a doctor. “That was so beautiful, how they would throw out the [sleeves] and then bring it back in. It was beautiful.”
“I think what really stands out to me, it’s just the ability to tell a whole story, get all of the context, and really understand the details of the story without any words. And that’s really impressive,” said Randy Crockett, CFO of Snap Tech IT.
The ancient Chinese believed their culture was inspired by the divine. Shen Yun incorporates those elements in many of its pieces.
“I loved the spirituality aspect of it and the singing and the music. The orchestra was fantastic,” said Ms. Fruehauf. “And I just really enjoyed every bit of it and how they changed it up—every different scene and every time they would do a different dance. It was a characterization of something else within the culture, and I really enjoyed it.”
“I’ve learned that there’s a lot of spirituality in everything that they do,” said Dr. Crockett. “Also that it’s just this beautiful culture that seems like it’s getting suppressed. Which is kind of sad, and it’s losing its ability to share it with their children and pass it on through the generations.”
“Everything comes from the divine, except evil,” said Mr. Barr. “We have to have peace, and this is a very peaceful performance and it’s showing the contrast between good and evil.”
Under the Chinese Communist Party, China’s rich heritage was nearly lost. But Shen Yun aims to revive that ancient culture by performing on stages around the world.
“I think it’s sad that you can’t see [Shen Yun] in China today, and I think it’s sad what’s happening over in that part of the world,” said Roy Fruehauf, owner of DDSmatch NorCal. “But I think efforts like Shen Yun help celebrate traditional Chinese culture, and I think it’s good to share that with the world.”
“We’re lacking too many morals these days,” said Aaron Doughty, a government official. “And I really think that inspiring things like that would work good.”
NTD News, Sacramento, California
