Shen Yun Performing Arts

For years I saw advertisements in Philadelphia Inquirer about the Shen Yun Performing Arts troupe extolling the mesmerizing dancing, dazzling acrobatics and the breathtaking costumes. So, I decided to take a companion and go. The show is essentially a series of ballet performances, solo instrument playing and opera singing some telling folk tales and others propaganda supporting the Falun Gong movement in China. You will find out all about Falun Gong, a cult declared illegal in China, by the end of the performance. The dancing, acrobatics and costumes did not live up to the hype, in my opinion. In fact, many others in my section were disappointed as well. During the intermission, we all got to talking. «Is it me or is this a „so-​so“ performance» everyone was asking each other.
The marketing and promotional department of Shen Yun is beyond belief. Check out YouTube and you will see interview after interview of people who just watched the performance. It was the same in Philadelphia. A video crew came up to couples who were smiling broadly for an endorsement but shied away from those who left with «feh» on their faces!
After the intermission, there were a noticeable number of empty seats in the house. I would have left as well but I spent $ 90 for each ticket to see them and I wanted my money’s worth! Too bad it didn’t deliver the goods. Look, I am not a dance snob, I just thought the performance was just OK. The opera singing, however, was downright awful!
The second half was basically rehash of the first half of the show. It got fairly repetitious quickly. I found myself thinking «OK, now the men will wave their sticks and somersault while the ladies throw their scarves in the air while twirling around.» My friend wanted to leave after the intermission.
So why has this traveling show so popular? I really don’t know. The audience politely applauded after each dance scene but no one was really excited about the show.
So, go see the show. Leave after the intermission. It was interesting but it didn’t live up to the hype.