(708 x 451 px, 72 dpi)
NEW YORK - With the pounding of Tang Dynasty drums and the glow of an iridescent white dragon floating across the stage, the New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV) 2006 Chinese New Year Gala began.
The three New York City performances were part of a global tour that will visit 17 cities to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Dog. Future performances include Wilmington, Del., Houston, Washington, D.C., Vancouver, BC, and elsewhere.
A captivated audience watched the colorful and varied program which included musical ensembles, vocal solos, and graceful dance routines. An outstanding feature of NTDTV's Gala that makes for an enchanting evening is the show's overarching theme of "Myths and Legends." Throughout every performance, the lively and amusing introductions by the hosts, spoken in both Chinese and English, explain the story behind what appears on stage.
It was the first time many people in the audience had seen a large scale show featuring Chinese culture, and there was a lot to learn.
Gilberto Carvajal especially liked the sense of justice portrayed in the folk tale When the Lion's Eyes Turn Red performed by the New Tang Dynasty Performing Art Center. Disguised as a beggar, a female Buddhist deity visits a village and is offered food by a kind woman. In return the bodhisattva warns the woman of a great flood that will destroy the village when the lion sculpture's eyes turn red. The woman warns her fellow villagers but they laugh at her. As night falls men paint the eyes red, mocking her warnings. When the woman sees the red eyes she leaves with a few villagers and the flood arrives...
"Good people got help and evil people got punished," said Gilberto.
Many of the performers, clad in colorful and unique costumes, evoke a sense of springtime and sunshine. In fact, the content of this show is so positive and engaging that even the attention of small children in the audience was not lost during the 2 1/2 hour program.
"Everything was pink, the movements were gentle and soft, it was beautiful," said Priscilla Bocanera who recently came to the United States from Brazil. Priscilla was talking about a dance called Flower Fairies performed by the Lotus Arts Troupe. The dance represented the lotus flower, a centuries-old symbol of purity.
"You could really feel the beauty of the lotus flower," said Priscilla.
For anyone from avid theater enthusiasts to those who only rarely venture out to see a show, the NTDTV Gala is this year's must-see show. It is a night so well spent that you will hardly notice the time flying by, and will return home to sleep with visions of floating heavenly beauties and mythical dancing dragons.
Additional reporting from Lori Har-el.
The Epoch Times is proud to join with New Tang Dynasty T.V. and Sound of Hope Radio in co-sponsoring "Myths and Legends," NTDTV's Chinese New Year Global Gala. For full schedule, DVD ordering information, and tickets, please see gala.ndtv.com
Feeds