Shen Yun

For years, I’ve seen advertisements for them. We finally decided to go. I’m pretty sure they’re a cult. If so, it is a cult of very athletic dancers.

There were two songs that were hymns. The rest of it was dancing – except the erhu solo, which sounded somewhat like a classical violin. Just as I was wondering if Patrick Swasey was going to walk on stage and play it as a fiddle, the music switched to something faster and, sure enough, it sounded somewhat like a fiddle.

There were two overtly propaganda dances. The others were Chinese myths and ethnic dances, supposedly. Who would know if they just made them up? Are the Yi of southwest China a real ethnic group? Teh Intertubes say “yes”, therefore it must be true.

The set was very cool. It was projected. The bottom of the projection was about four feet above the stage, which stepped up to that height at the back, which allowed the dancers to jump in and/or out of the backdrop by dropping behind and/or jumping onto that step. That was a very neat effect, used to good affect. The blocking and timing need to be precise for that to work and they were.

The woman dancers walked strangely. I looked and looked, but could not determine what they were doing with their feet that made it look so strange. Very fast, small steps that made it appear they were gliding. The stunning move was standing on one leg with the other next to her head – just standing there. The whole troop did it a few times. It’s amazing to see.

The male dancers were very acrobatic. Many gymnastic style moves. Most of which I cannot describe. Keep in mind that it took me 30 minutes to figure what a spiral turn is, with a dance instructor showing it to me over and over again. I still can’t do it right, but I can at least describe it, although I’ll spare you.

I enjoyed it, but I doubt I’ll go again, even though they do have a new show every year.