Shen Yun’s Latest Edition Comes to NJPAC Through May 4
As the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, Shen Yun performs a new edition of its show each year and tours to nearly 200 cities around the world in the process. From March 26 to April 12, the troupe performed to sold out crowd’s at David H. Koch theater of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and it arrives at NJPAC for five days this week (April 30 to May 4). But did you know about its New York roots and a notable Japanese connection?
In 2006, a group of classical Chinese artists came together in New York, establishing Shen Yun in order to revive the traditional, divinely inspired culture of China and share it with the world. Independent of any government and entirely nonprofit, Shen Yun enjoys true artistic freedom as its artists work tirelessly to bring this ancient world to life on stage.
As those who have seen Shen Yun can attest, its performers take the audience on an extraordinary journey through China’s 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture. Exquisite beauty from the heavens, profound wisdom from dynasties past, timeless legends, and ethnic traditions all spring to life through classical Chinese dance, enchanting live orchestral music, authentic costumes, and innovative interactive backdrops.
Born in Tokyo and with Shen Yun since 2016, principal dancer Nara Oose is a distinguished presence for this year’s tour. Oose is the first place winner of the 2021 New Tang Dynasty Television International Classical Chinese Dance Competition (adult female division), and she previously won first place in the competition’s junior division in 2018. She moved from Japan to New York to study classical Chinese dance at the New York-based Fei Tian Academy of the Arts and Fei Tian College, and her older brother, Rubi, is also a principal dancer with the company.
Shen Yun features ancient storylines and values. In fact, China’s ancient name, “The Land of the Divine,” tells of a world where deities and mortals together walked the Earth. In addition, it features stories from the present day, bringing to life the physical beauty of a China that has nearly been lost in modern times.
Shen Yun’s artists today follow traditional Chinese culture with their source of inspiration in the spiritual discipline known as Falun Dafa. This movement incorporates meditation exercises and teachings of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. The artists’ daily engagement in this practice is one reason why audiences feel there is something special about Shen Yun.
See Shen Yun at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ from April 30 to May 4. Visit www.shenyun.com for tickets, and to see reaction videos from audience members around the world.
