The Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular, which opened on May 14 at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, left audience members thrilled with their experience. The Spectacular's success showed on their smiling faces as they left the auditorium.
The show's sequence of traditional Chinese dances backed by the rich force of a full symphony orchestra brought round after round of applause that lasted for long moments after the final performance ended.
"It was awesome, the best thing I've ever seen. When the curtain first rose, it opened up another world.... It was something very special," said Michael Wing, who attended the show.
As a satisfied lady was leaving the auditorium, she vowed to come back for the second performance tomorrow night. She couldn't decide which dance was her favorite, and was so moved by the performance she had a hard time finding words to describe how she felt. "Beautiful, beautiful," she kept repeating.
Rutang Chen, conductor of the Spectacular's Tian (heaven) Ying (sound) Orchestra, said in an interview before the show that many audience members in other cities were moved to tears, a sight he has not seen in his 30-year-long music career. "It is a very rare occasion."
The shows themes of inner awakening, spiritual cultivation, and returning to one's true self shook many audience members in Calgary as well. Sniffles could be heard throughout the show and many in the audience could be seen dabbing their eyes.
"When they sense the meaning of life they are shaken and feel very happy," said Chen.
Beverly Reynolds and Dave Smith celebrated their wedding anniversary by attending the show. Reynolds called the show a "surprise" and a "delight." She said that at times she too was overwhelmed with tears.
"One of the things that struck me was the women, how smooth and gentle their dance seemed, but what strength it took to be that serene," said Reynolds.
"It was exquisite," said Smith, who was impressed with how smoothly and gracefully the female dancers moved.
"It is a lovely expression of a very old and noble culture," said Colin Jackson, CEO and president of EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts. "The degree of commitment that the performers have to what they are saying and doing comes across the stage and is touching."
Wayne Cao, MLA for Fort Calgary, said the show was "fantastic, spectacular and world-class."
"I liked the innovated modernized style of the Chinese classical dance," he said. "They bring in different features from the Manchurian and the Dai. The finale gave a good impression."
Lynne Davidson is half Chinese and received a ticket to the Spectacular as a mother's day gift from her daughter. "It was just so heart-warming. It just brings back old memories – the colors, like a rainbow. It is spiritual, you can see the inner spirit.... Wonderful, entertaining, and makes you feel happy inside."
The show, produced by New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV) is completing its 34-city world tour in Alberta, with another performance in Calgary tomorrow and a show on Wednesday in Edmonton.
Feeds