NEW YORK—What a splendid show! The beaming faces of the audience leaving "Holiday Wonders" at the Beacon Theatre Friday night said it all. When the streams of people overflowed into the cool winter night afterwards, they had plenty to say.
"This show is really out of this world, a great treat," said cellist Christine Walevska.
"What a thrill, such great beauty, fantastic backdrop, wonderful talent," she added. Walevska had the highest regard for the erhu player Xiaochun Qi, and said she wished they could play together.
Mathew and Kateri Baker, visiting from Washington, D.C., bought tickets looking for a traditional Christmas show.
"It was new and different," said Kateri.
"The drums were very neat, the show was mesmerizing, it puts you in a trance," said Mathew.
Said James from Princeton, "The drummers were very special. They really demonstrated strong manhood."
China has a 5000-year history and is home to 56 official ethnic groups. "Holiday Wonders" served a taste of it all to the viewers. They were excited by the powerful Tang Dynasty drums and lulled by the graciousness of the Qing Dynasty lady's dance, inspired by the ancient "Lady of the Moon" legend and touched by the human sound of the erhu, a two-stringed instrument.
Lilliana, originally from Uzbekistan, treated her mom Zoya to the show.
"Chinese culture these days is so Americanized, this show was the core, the crème de la crème of Chinese culture, it was outstanding!"
Linda Rothestein, one of the sponsors of the show for the second year sighed and said the show brought her back to wonderful and memorable times she spent in Taiwan. "The fluid dances, the costumes—the show brings the loveliness of all cultures and melts it together," she said.
Antoine Faisal, Editor and Chief of Aramica Newspaper said he heard of this show in previous years but it was the first he attended.
"My first experience was that of regret, for not going to the show last year, I never thought I would enjoy Chinese music as much as I did, this show is spectacular!" he said.
Andrea Tate, a clinical data coordinator from Columbia University, said she enjoyed the spiritual aspect of it.
Joining her was John Morette, a data analyst from Cornell. "It was awesome," he said.
You can see "Holiday Wonders" daily in New York through Dec. 26.
The show will go on after it closes in the Beacon Theatre. You still have a chance to catch it in Caesars, Atlantic City, N.J. for five shows Dec. 28-30.
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