(Clearwisdom.net) New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company was enthusiastically received on January 29, 2011, at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, a national historic site, in Buffalo, New York.


Shen Yun Performing Arts presented two performances on January 29 at Shea's Performing Arts Center in Buffalo.

Floral designer: “It’s beautiful, fabulous!”

Jackie LoVullo, a floral designer and owner of ZenJoy, an arts business in Williamsville, New York, said that she had been looking forward to seeing the Shen Yun show. “When the show came, I just could not wait to see it. I find it so soothing, relaxing. The artistry is beautiful, the gracefulness of the dancers—just magnificent,” Jackie said during intermission. “It’s beautiful, fabulous!”

As a member of Artists in Buffalo, Ms. LoVullo, especially focused in on Shen Yun's visual quality, including the striking digital backdrops projected on stage. “Beautiful, the colors, the artistry, and the landscaping … works out beautifully. We’re in the seventh row so we get to see it really up front.”

She talked about one dance performance that told the story of a schoolteacher in today’s China who is persecuted by the Communist regime for her spiritual belief in Falun Dafa. “The background showing the—I call them angels—that were coming in to rescue the teacher from the classroom—beautiful,” said Ms. LoVullo, describing the animation that brought to life the ancient Chinese belief that good will be rewarded and evil will be punished. In the scene, divine beings descend from heaven and then appear as actors on the stage. “How [the backdrops] show the people coming in from the background to the stage, just magnificently done,” she said. “It was beautiful, just beautiful. I’d see it again, and I am looking forward to the second half.”

Art Teacher: “I just loved everything about it!”

Art teacher, Fay Northrop, was also in the audience, accompanied by her male friend. “Very beautiful! I thought the backdrops really captured the spirit of the countryside,” said Ms. Northrop. “It is the first time I've seen the show and I love the dancing and the costumes and the music. I just loved everything about it!” she said, adding that the colors “were beautiful, very beautiful.”

Ms. Northrop said she was particularly drawn to the “Plum Blossom” dance, which tells the story of the plum blossom, a delicate, beautiful flower, which remains resilient and continues to bloom even amid harsh wind and snow. “The theme of it—in the face of adversity, spring is right around the corner—I definitely liked that quite a bit,” she said.

“It was great! It was fantastic. The costumes, and the dancing, the music were excellent,” said Ms. Northrop’s friend who accompanied her to the show. He said that the two emcees who introduced the performances were “helpful,” adding, “I could tell from the dance and the story that the emcees told the story very well.”

He also enjoyed the Shen Yun Orchestra, with its all-original compositions and combination of Western and Eastern instruments, saying it was “Beautiful!” “I loved it. I liked the blend of the Western instruments with the Eastern instruments. It really sounded great together.”

For Ms. Northrop, the two-stringed erhu, also known as the Chinese violin, especially caught her attention. “The two-stringed instrument, that is just beautiful, just very soulful,” she said. “It felt like it was from the heart of the country.”

Her friend commented on the dances that portrayed the brutal persecution and censorship taking place in China, today. “It’s hard to perform. Your heart is there [in China] and you have to do it here [in the U.S.] and try to get the word out, and try to have more freedom of expression in China,” he explained.

Finance director: “Come enjoy the show!”


Richard and Barbara Langborgh spent Saturday afternoon losing themselves in the splendor of Shen Yun Performing Arts.

Also in attendance was Richard Langborgh, a financial planning and analysis director, who was accompanied by his wife, Barbara, an expediter. They both said that they were inspired by the Shen Yun performance. "Very colorful, very uniform, all the dancers are the same size, and they all move in unison. It’s very enjoyable,” he said.

Ms. Langborgh, said that the dancers were incredible and made extremely challenging movements look easy. “[They were] so free flowing, just so relaxed. It just makes the whole dance seem very easy, though I know it’s difficult.”

“I enjoyed all the acts. They are all very good,” said Mr. Langborgh.

His wife agreed, “They are all fantastic!”

She was also moved by the spiritual content of Shen Yun, which has its roots in traditional Chinese culture and is considered to have been bestowed on humankind by the gods. “The spiritual part of it I find to be interesting. I see it portrayed here,” Mrs. Langborgh said.

“[It’s] very cross cultural. I think almost any religious group could identify with the Creator themes and concepts there,” Mr. Langborgh added.

Mrs. Langborgh said that she came away from the show with a new interest in Chinese culture and a deeper respect. “I’d like to understand it more, I think. I find it very interesting. It’s almost like a part of me wants to be some of it,” she explained. “They do a very good job,” Mr. Langborgh said of the digital animated backdrops and the show overall. “I would say, 'Come enjoy the show!'”

Company chairman buys 35 tickets to Shen Yun

Lawyer and real estate developer Carl Paladino and his granddaughter at the Shen Yun show in Buffalo on Saturday.

Carl Paladino, an attorney and founder and chairman of Ellicott Development Company, a real estate development company, attended the show with his wife and daughter. “I loved it—very, very good,” Mr. Paladino exclaimed, adding that his wife was already planning for them to see Shen Yun again next year.

Mr. Paladino bought 35 tickets for his employees, with many being seated right around him. The dance “The Monkey King Outwits Pigsy” was clearly his favorite. “I like the guy [Pigsy]. When he just jumped off and fell onto the mountain top, that scene was good!”

Mr. Paladino said he found Chinese traditional dancing very unique and refreshing, adding, “My daughter dances ballet and she thinks it’s very interesting … the stretches and the different movements.”

Impressed with the flexibility of the dancers, his daughter summed up her experience with Shen Yun in two words: “Really cool!”