(Clearwisdom.net) Atlanta is the first stop of the Divine Performing Arts International Company's (DPA) 2009 world tour. Like the first performance, its second show in the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on the afternoon of December 20, 2008 was a great success. Eastern and Western audience members alike enjoyed the show.
News reporter Jon Gillooly (right), with his father (left) and mother
News reporter Jon Gillooly watched the show with his parents and friends. He said he realized that this group wasn't from Mainland China when he saw that the "bad guy" on stage wore clothes with the hammer and sickle on it. He had heard about the persecution of Falun Gong before. He said the show was great and the backgrounds were very, very nice. He remarked that the show was very spiritual.
Mr. Gillooly's mother, Dr. Betty Siegel, is former President Emeritus of Kennesaw State University, where she worked for twenty-five years. Dr. Siegel said that the show was beautiful. She said that it spread universal values and showed respect for people of all ages. She loved the beauty, the peace, the friendship and relationships between people that were depicted in the show.
Mr. James Cook, an investment expert, said he also loved the show. He remarked that the costumes were beautiful and the story development was great. Mr. Cook said he learned a lot about Chinese culture and also learned a lot about the current persecution of Falun Gong in China.
Judge Roger C. Plichta and Attorney Roxanne Plichta
Judge Roger C. Plichta and Attorney Roxanne Plichta said the DPA show presented the best of five thousand years of Chinese history. They found it very exciting, saying that the show was very peaceful and beyond time. Judge Plichta showed concern about the reporter (who is Chinese) and asked her if she planned to go back to China. He was worried for her because he saw in the performance that Falun Gong is persecuted in China. Judge Plichta said the show gave people hope and told of a true story and a universal culture.
Software engineer Natashia Bord with her daughter Vian and mother Brigit
Software engineer Natashia Bord took her mother Brigit and her daughter Vian to see the show. They all loved it very much.
Ms. Bord's mother is a translator for NATO and she teaches English Literature. She has a special affinity for Chinese culture. She said that the DPA show was the best show she had seen in many years, adding that she was from Vienna and had seen many shows. She said that the DPA show was unique with its music, songs, colors, philosophy, culture, dance and imagination.
Michelle and Peter, who are both doctors, said they enjoyed the show very much. Michelle said that the imagery and appeal of the show was very moving, and that the artists' presentation truly conveyed the message. She also felt that the program about the persecution of Falun Gong strongly expressed the idea of freedom of faith. Peter said that the hosts provided much interesting information for the audience.
Ms. He Zezhi is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Atlanta Restaurant Exchange and President of the 2009 Taste of Asia in Atlanta. She was very moved by the evening's performance and thought that it was very effective as an introduction to Chinese culture.
Last year, the Divine Performing Arts toured 66 cities, presenting 215 performances, and reaching more than 600,000 audience members worldwide. In addition to its New York Company and Touring Company, DPA has established an International Company and an additional orchestra this year. The three DPA companies and two orchestras will tour over 80 cities in North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. The DPA shows present an experience of pure beauty and compassion, with profound inner meaning.
