LONG BEACH, Calif.—John Meinert and Maria Meinert saw Shen Yun Performing Arts on Feb. 8 at Terrace Theater.
“I thought it was beautiful, reminding me there is beauty in the world. I thought the dancing was the best in the world,” said Mr. Meinert, who owns a financial planning practice.
Shen Yun, based in New York, is on a mission to present “China before communism,” and revive people’s connection with 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and culture.
“I’m more of the traditional, the spiritual, and the old-fashioned,” said Ms. Meinert.
She loved that Shen Yun is able to show younger audience members what it means to have respect.
“One does not have to be religious or believe the same thing to accept the history of the culture and what’s going on today. I love the storytelling,” Mr. Meinert said.
Shen Yun’s artists are trained in classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world.The expressive nature of classical Chinese dance allows the dancer to communicate deep emotions and tell complex stories from Chinese history and literature.
“I just loved everything about it because—that story—I think needs to be told more and more,” Ms. Meinert said.
Shen Yun’s use of its digital backdrop is patented. The versatility of the technology allows the set to change scenes in the blink of an eye, giving the stage endless possibilities.
“The combination of the digital screen background and everything else was wonderful, different. There was a little girl sitting next to me, and she was just watching with her eyes open, just watching all of that interaction between the screen and the people and everything,” Mr. Meinert said.
He added that if a performance like this can be loved by kids, “you know it’s good.”
The Shen Yun Orchestra, which tours with Shen Yun, is a unique combination of traditional Chinese instruments and a classic Western ensemble. One instrument that shone under the spotlight was the two-stringed erhu.
“The erhu performance, the performance just gave me tears. So beautiful,” Mr. Meinert said.
Audience members have expressed that going to Shen Yun is like getting a package deal of dance, an orchestra, singers, and beautiful costumes. One ticket that unlocks them all.
“If I introduce my friend to the show, I would say it’s like going to the opera, to a symphony concert, to a play, to a dance concert. It’s a lot of things put together. And so it really keeps your interest nicely. And it’s just plain beautiful. It reminds us human beings that we can be beautiful,” Mr. Meinert said.
Reporting Michael Ren and Maria Han.
NTD is a media sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts, covering audience reactions since 2006.