Shen Yun Is an ‘Unexpected Mixture’ of ‘Spirituality, Music, and Entertainment,’ Says Vaccine Specialist

Mrs. Perez seemed pleased that a dance performance had the courage to tackle such an important issue. “I think, sometimes, that what happens in China stays in China,” she said. “We really don’t see it.”
Shen Yun Is an ‘Unexpected Mixture’ of ‘Spirituality, Music, and Entertainment,’ Says Vaccine Specialist
Adriana and Danie Perez attend Shen Yun Performing Arts at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theater, on May 11. (Catherine Wen/The Epoch Times)
5/12/2013
Updated:
8/14/2015
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CHICAGO—The grace and wisdom of ancient Chinese legends sprang to life at the Cadillac Palace Theater this weekend, as the world renowned Shen Yun Performing Arts took the Chicago stage.

According to theatergoer Adriana Perez, the performance was an “unexpected mixture” of “spirituality, music, and entertainment.”

Mrs. Perez, a senior vaccine specialist and Director of Marketing for A to Z Pediatric and Youth Health Care, attended the show with her husband, Daniel Perez, a pediatrician.

A piece standing out for her was Sewing the Flowers of Heaven. The performance depicts celestial maidens tossing and spinning brightly colored silk circles symbolizing blessings for mankind.

“I thought that was really interesting,” she said. “It was very beautiful and very enjoyable.”

The couple remarked about the spiritual aspects of the show—qualities that they say are lacking in most contemporary entertainment.

“We’re deeply spiritual, so I thought that was nice,” Mrs. Perez said. “Here in the American culture they remove so much spirituality from entertainment. It was very nice to see how it’s embraced here.”

The mission of New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts is to revive the 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture. In addition to portraying ancient legends, performers utilize the same classical dance and storytelling techniques to shed light modern China as well, especially the Chinese Communist regime’s persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.

“I think that was something we hear in the media about the persecution,” said Mr. Perez. “We were surprised it was displayed and portrayed in a performance like this.”

Although Chinese culture is the artistic foundation for Shen Yun, ironically the show cannot be seen in China. Traditional customs are already a touchy subject for the ruling communist party, but with some parts of the Shen Yun performance shining a bright light on the government’s brutal persecution of Falun Gong, Chinese officials have gone to great lengths to silence the show.

Falun Gong practitioners uphold the age-old virtues of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance.

“I was just saying to my wife, I don’t think this show will be playing in China,” Mr. Perez said.

Mrs. Perez seemed pleased that a dance performance had the courage to tackle such an important issue. “I think, sometimes, that what happens in China stays in China,” she said. “We really don’t see it.”

Reporting by Catherine Wen and Conan Milner

Shen Yun Performing Arts, based in New York, tours the world on a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.