(Clearwisdom.net) The Divine Performing Arts 2009 World Tour graced the stage at the William B. Bell Auditorium, performing for the first time in Augusta, Georgia, on March 13. As Spring's blossoms blanketed this gracious Southern city, enthusiastic audience members warmly welcomed this unique show. Spontaneous bursts of applause rang out throughout the performances, and the audience rose to its feet in a long standing ovation at the end of the show.
"I Don't Think I've Ever Seen Anything Like This In My Life!"
Brenda Durant, Executive Director for the Greater Augusta Arts Council, attended the show. She said, "I watched the opening scene, and thought, 'If it's going to be in Augusta tomorrow night, I will come back a second night and watch it again!' It was beautiful!"
"I loved the production. I love every aspect of it. Each piece works together so perfectly: from the dancers to the backdrop, to telling the stories. It's just beautiful," she said.
Ms. Durant elaborated, "I love the stories that are being told, I like the interaction of the video [digital background], and the people coming to life from the backdrop. The costumes are beautiful, and just the physicality of the dance, and the perfection of the angles of the ankles and the arms, is really beautiful!"
Ms. Durant continued, "I have never seen Chinese dance done this way in such a big production, and so many parts of China coming together, with the 5,000-year-old history coming to life on stage--it's just something I've never seen before. It's really divine!" "I don't think I've ever seen anything like this in my life."
The Greater Augusta Arts Council's mission is to advance the arts in the Augusta and Central Savannah River region of the state of Georgia, and thus enrich the quality of life for it's citizens.
Ms. Durant echoed their sentiments during the comments she made during the reception held after the inaugural show. "On behalf of the city of Augusta and all the sponsors, I am so excited to say 'Thank You' so much to Divine Performing Arts for coming to the city of Augusta! This was absolutely the most majestic show we have seen in Augusta," she declared. Ms. Durant went on to welcome and anticipate the return of DPA to Augusta in 2010, and encouraged people to come and see this exquisite performance.
"I think it's just a beautiful show. Really, you could watch it and just enjoy the dance, or you could come and watch just the costumes, or you could come and learn lessons from it. It's just a really beautiful thing."
"I Have Never Seen So Moving A Production!"
Another audience member shared her enthusiasm after seeing DPA for the first time, "Oh it is absolutely breathtaking. It is wonderful. There are not enough adjectives to describe it. I can't wait to come again. My father, who's from Connecticut, is going to fly back and see it."
Her companion, Michael, a music teacher, originally from England, but now teaching in North Carolina, offered his opinion. "This is a unique performance. I have never seen so moving a production, with beauty in the music and the dance and the colors. The colors are out of this world!"
Michael added, "The combination of the colors with the music. I didn't expect Chinese music to be like this at all. So I was very surprised, and it is [a] startling, stunning performance. I am thoroughly enjoying myself."
Michael concluded by saying, "I think that this has got diversity and it is very hard for me, a European in origin, to say that there is anything in Europe that is quite as colorful as this performance. I have never seen so moving a production!"
Breathtakingly Gorgeous!
Joining the VIP reception after the show were Mr. and Mrs. Dawson, both soldiers on active duty. Because Mrs. Dawson grew up loving classical performing arts, Mr. Dawson treated her to tickets.
Both come from families with a military tradition. The dance "Mulan Joins the Battle" had a particular resonance for Mrs. Dawson. Her mother was a pioneer, being the first woman in her military family to serve in the army. Divine revives the story and portrays Mulan as embodying the virtues of respect for parents, love of country, and selflessness.
Wearing an elegant evening gown, she said, "This was gorgeous. My mother is a huge performing arts fan. I've seen Russian ballets, I've seen American ballets, I've been to [many different] shows, and this is just incredible. Absolutely incredible. I was almost in tears. And the gentleman who was singing ... [Tian Ge], beautiful! Breathtaking!" she said.
Source: http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/13663/
http://theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/13662/