So, I went to see Shen Yun this weekend, and today I stopped by Chinatown to pick up some produce still bit bothered by the show.
As far as dancing performance, choreography, and orchestra, it was great. Very colorful, everyone was in sync. On the other hand, I think the whole use of projector and trippy animation was a little off scale. Over and over they there were scenes when a performer gets killed then a deity shows up and the actor comes back to life.
Shen Yun is based in New York, and tour all over the world, claiming to perform Chinese traditional dance, and sharing Chinese ancients cultures…is it really only about their culture? Even my 8 year old noticed the people in the cloud coming and going defeating the authorities (PRC police). The system of belief Falun Gong was banned in China 1999, and execution started happening. Not surprising its a communist nation.
I truly believe that the main idea of the performance was about the practice Falun Gong. On Saturdays performance, there were a couple of soprano singing very religious words. Occasionally the narrators explain Chinese cultures in association with the show, but clearly, it is about Falun Gong period. Well, I didn’t know anything about it until after the show, when I started reading and doing my research.
Now, I don’t have anything against the belief. I believe that we should have freedom of religion. I understand the message. But, the question is, is it okay to lure people into watching the show saying its about culture, when it is about religion and making political statement? NO! This is not some $10 show. Our sit were $70 each.
The tickets were gift, and the one that bought it had no idea it was like that as well. We had great laughs after wards, but still I felt cheated of my time and fooled.
Original text: http://moultingdonna.tumblr.com/post/2809043247/shen-yun-my-brief-review
