BOSTON—With memories of First Night festivities still lingering in Boston's historic downtown, New Year celebrations began anew as the New York-based Divine Performing Arts (DPA) touring company arrived at the Opera House to usher in the coming lunar new year with four performances of their "Chinese New Year Spectacular" show.
DPA began their world tour last weekend with "New Year Spectacular" performances in Atlanta and Philadelphia. Although Chinese New Year technically occurs next month on Feb. 7 according to the lunar calendar and lasts two weeks, the company will be on tour for several months taking their shows to more than 60 cities around the world this year.
The weather has been unseasonably mild in Boston this week, and people didn't mind waiting to get their tickets. Some expressed their excitement about seeing the show: "I can't wait, I can't wait to see this," exclaimed Beatrice Mendez of Beverly, Massachusetts. She was accompanied by her husband, James Bursey, and mother-in-law Rose Bursey from Melrose. Beatrice came across a "Spectacular" ticket kiosk at the Burlington Mall. When she saw the posters and video, she said, "What in the world is this display—it's so gorgeous!" And when someone came to tell her about the show, she replied: "You don't need to convince me—I want to see this show."
Richard and Winnie Rubino and their friends John and Rainy Wilkins were happy to have their picture taken as they waited in line to get in to the show. Mr. Rubino said his business partner is Chinese and encouraged him to go. The Wilkinses had just visited China this past fall and were also anxious to see the show. Rainy wore a beautiful, shimmering oriental jacket she bought in Shanghai.
DPA's third annual performance in Boston wowed the opening night audience with a gala display of drumming, dancing, and music. Carla Banks from Paxton, Massachusetts, said, "I thought it was fairy-like, ethereal. I like seeing all the people making the same movements, the drummers especially." The smallest movement is so precise—so fragile," she continued. "You feel as if you were falling into the scene."
Richard Campbell, a theater and arts writer in the Boston area, found it "colorful, alluring, sensitive." "It was a great show," he said, "and really good for kids." "I was surprised by the size of it—how large the cast is. There's a spiritual element to it that gives it a surreal quality, which is very interesting."
William Rogers of Belmont, Mass., felt it was "youthful, faithful, and reverent. It feels like God's message."
Michele Smart and Thatcher Woodley came from Springfield, Mass., to see the "Chinese New year Spectacular." Michele said that after seeing the show she realized how big China is and how many different interesting elements there are to the culture. Thatcher, who was most drawn to the two-stringed erhu, said, "It was a great night—and the evening was fun and unique."
Divine Performing Arts will be at Boston's Opera House for two more shows on Friday and a Saturday matinee before heading off to Canada for shows next week in Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto. Divine Performing Arts will be at Radio City Music Hall in New York for several shows starting on Jan. 30. More information on the company can be found at divineperformingarts.org.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts shows that will perform in over 60 cities worldwide in 2008. To find a show near you, please visit www.bestchineseshows.com.
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