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Shen Yun Performing Arts is a triumph of collaboration, bringing together over a hundred of the world's foremost classically trained Chinese dancers, choreographers, musicians, and vocalists. It also boasts the world's only full orchestra that embraces both Western and Chinese instruments as its permanent members.
Based in New York, Shen Yun Performing Arts is distinguished by its conscious effort to remain independent of China's communist regime, which has abused and impoverished the arts for decades. It is proud to thus include members who practice Falun Gong. The company aspires to create original performances that not only entertain, but also more deeply educate, enrich, and inspire. The company's rich repertory is drawn from the pages of history, universal themes, and the world around us. All choreography and music performed are original.
A very visually captivating performance! An opera with lots of zing! Really enjoyed the tapestry of woven arts, crafts, and history of a people who dare to believe.
I truly enjoyed every aspect of the show. The costumes, and dancing were mesmerizing : )
THE COSTUMES WERE GORGEOUS. THE DANCING WAS EXTREMELY BEAUTIFUL AND GRACEFUL AND PROFESSIONAL. THE ORCHESTRA WAS FIRST RATE. THE STAGE SETTING WAS IMPRESSIVE.
I have always been fasinated with Asian Culture and Histories from other countries and dance has aalways been one of my interest. This was an unforgettable experience and I am so glad I had the opportunity to go this year. This event really opened my eyes and peeked my curiousity even more. I must know more.
Having seen several Chinese productions, Shen Yun was quite different from the others. It is purely a visual performance based on dance and costumes. Which, I might add, are beautifully done. The choreography is fitting and entertaining and the costumes are colorful and gorgeous. If you are expecting any acrobatics or displays of plate spinning, chair balancing acts, etc (which are more typicial of China), this is not the show for you. Shen Yu gives a nice depiction of period dances (mixed w/ some modern) with great usage of the projection screen. However, after seeing several dances, the acts become somewhat mundane and repetitious, despite the wonderful costumes. Also, the political statements become somewhat comical when depicting an anticommunist storyline. In short, the price paid per ticket does not justify the show.
The animated backdrops are amazing, and the performers athletic and skilled. I look forward to seeing next year's show. They create a new one each year.
As an immigrant from a communist country myself, I do not mind the show of the troop struggling against the communist regime but I really dislike the religious propaganda. So in general, I saw the show which is fair (there is particular excellent moment), the actors are good and the religious propaganda is distasful.
I was very intrigued by the advertisement of this performance. To be honest, i wasn't quite sure what to expect, but i was amazed and thrilled at the beautiful and cultural performance of Shen Yun. I highly recommend this event to anyone who is interested in seeing the cultural beauty of Chinese dance and story telling. Not only was I impressed by the technical performances of the dancers and artistic beauty of the choreography, but I learned so much about Chinese culture from thousands of years ago to the present. It is an amazing journey steeped in history and tradition, and a true delight to watch. I really hope the troupe returns to the Progress Energy Center soon so that i can see it again!
The choreography was amazing, the art stunning and the dance athletic. The only distraction was the political agenda. It would have been better to emphasize the need to share this art form with the world, with the cooperation on the Chinese government, rather than so much energy vilifying the communists.
If you weren't already aware, this troop is composed of members of the banned Falun Gong religious movement. I have little knowledge of the Falun Gong, and am no fan of repressive communist regimes, but I didn't go to this event expecting anything other than the performance of traditional forms of Chinese dance. That which I saw was amazing, but...here's the heads up...expect some other content. Also, there were some silly projections onto the rear of the stage that had my wife and I laughing at what were probably inappropriate moments. Overall, if you know what to expect, and are open to some compelling bits, Shen Yun was worth the ticket.
The two MC's were very boring. It could have been narrated better and more enjoyable if one of the performers introduced the following act. Similarly the dance movements were very repetitive from act to act Most of the acts were gender separated, i.e., either males or females, as if we have two separate groups not talking to each other. If I did not have company who shared my opinion after the show, we would have left after the first half. Sorry for this not encouraging review but I hope that it will help the company to make some revisions. Lastly, with the seat set at over $130, it was really expensive for what was presented.
Technological backdrops set the stage for each dance. Beautiful scenes depicted various regions in China from which the ethnic dances originated. Lovely pictures of flowers and fields set the tone for dances related to the seasons. There were special etherial effects in the background for dances inspired by Chinese legends and myths. Gorgeous costumes and graceful movement delighted the eye. The live orchestra was a blend of western and traditional Chinese instruments performed by professional musicians. All was introduced by short explanations in English and Chinese by two most gracious hosts. Great cultural experience for elementary grade children on up to centenarians.
We thoroughly enjoyed the Shen Yun performance. The dancers were graceful and the costumes beautiful. Fabulous choreography and athletic ability demonstrated. Raleigh was fortunate to book this event. Thank you.
It was not what I anticipated because it had the interruption between each act of the narrators, who did provide a wonderful historical backdrop and knowledge, but seemed to interrupt the flow of the event. The singing interludes seemed more like a "recital" than an integral part of the dance show. The costumes and dancing was wonderful, superb. The "magic" of the screen becoming reality was really great. The dancers are very talented.
It was absolutely amazing. I'm studying Asian cultures so this was a must see. My boyfriend came with me and he's not really into it, but he said he enjoyed the show very much because it all had a story line he could follow. I enjoyed the bright, vibrant colors in the clothes and fluid movement in the dancing. I got to see the Chinese culture and history in a new light I had never seen before.
Horribly overpriced and largely a shill to raise money/awareness of Chinese persecution of Falun group. Dancing was fine when not being performed by thugs representing brutal chinese gov't. For all I know these folks have a point but to leave it off the billing is disingenuous. I wouldn't pay more than 1/3 the price to see something similar.
I was expecting something akin previous Chinese performances I attended in the past such as Chinese Acrobats and the Chinese Circus but this had me a bit baffled. I am not sure I buy what Shen Yu ws selling - that you can't see a show like this in China. My parents were just in China and said there were lots of Vegas style shows for tourists available. The show was very disjointed with the constant curtain drop between acts and the 2 stiff MC's who fell a bit flat. The performers and the costumes were beautiful but the performance and the staging with the animation on the screen was kitchy and the dances were redundant and became boring. The hour & a half run time was simply too long. The live orchestra was a big positive. Again, the performers were wonderful but It was like watching great actors in a bad movie with bad special effects and a bad script.
Chinese arts at its best! A great performance that brings Chinese culture home.
Too bad the Falun Gong (Falon Dafu) permeated the entire performance. Spewing political inuendo and overtaking the "performance". Aria's of Falon Dafu and political suppression performances lacked any time of profesionalism for real "performing art". No mention of the Falon Gong on any of their advertisments for this show. The show's Progam was full of propaganda. I am dissapointed my $150.00 tickets went to a "non-profit" political organization. Now I know why the performances were subpar of an actual performing arts event using the Detroit Opera House. People left the opera house at intermission. Don't waste your money or time going to Shen Yun.
The performers are clearly very talented & their performances were flawless, but the format of the show is tedious. It is comprised of approximately 10 dances/performances in the 1st half and 10 more in the second. Prior to each of these 20 performances, a couple comes out onto the stage, they put the house lights up, and they introduce the next dance. It was reminiscent of the monotony and choppiness of a dance recital. The males' dances displayed some amazing feats, and while the female dances were beautiful, they were basically ceremonial-type choreography, as opposed to dances which elucidated their obvious, albeit underlying talent.
