ATLANTA—The 2008 global tour of one of the Divine Peforming Arts companies began in Atlanta with a Chinese New Year show at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Just like last year's performance, the audience was richly diverse. Reactions were enthusiastic.
"It's the greatest!" said nine-year-old Andrew Smith, waving a Mulan figure. His father Joseph Smith said the tickets to the Spectacular were part of Andrew's tenth birthday present. The rest of the present is a trip to Asia. Andrew loves Asian culture.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith adopted their son Andrew and daughter Halle from Russia. Smith and his wife Jill have retired from the software business, and live in Alpharetta, the fourth largest city in Georgia. Andrew wrapped his arms around the reporter and gave her a quick hug. "He's a love bug," said Smith.
Dr. Randolph Gardner and his wife and office manager Caroline Gardner had strong reactions. They talked almost at the same time, eyes shining. Mrs. Gardner: "It was amazing, very spectacular." Dr. Gardner: "Enlightening." Mrs Gardner: "It was lovely how they incorporated values into the stories. "Dr. Gardner: "Unity against oppression."
"It is very good," said Nigerian Consul General Chudi Okafor, who attended with his wife, Joy Okafor.
"The costumes are awesome ... the colors" said corporate trainer Wesley Franklin. Importer Richard Williams wished the program had a detailed written narrative like an opera libretto. Attorney Edward Starr smiled with a hint of mischief in his eyes. The three friends agreed that the show was good.
"Oh I loved it. The costumes and the colors and that it is bilingual," said East Cobb publisher Cynthia Rozzel. She came with her husband and sons, who smiled and joked during the intermission. "It's good" said son Lee Haralabidis.
Lynn Sims asked her son Antjuane Sims to escort her to the show. "Very elegant, colorful, professional" she said, adding "it's hard to say (what she liked best) I liked the lady in the moon. I don't know why I liked that lady in the moon. It's just very powerful. They did a very fantastic, spectacular job."
Son Antjuane said "My mom saw it and she said we we had to go." He is about to move to California. "Will it be in California?" He seemed very pleased to learn it will visit his soon to be home.
"It was wonderful," said internet marketer Susan Stewart. It was hard to say which part she liked best. "In the second act it was up a notch." She drove from Gainesville, an outlying town. "She came all the way from Massachusetts", she said, indicating her companion, Catherine Stephens.
Atlanta will host another performance of the Chinese New Year Spectacular on Saturday, Jan. 5.
 Nigerian Consul General Chudi Okafor and his wife Joy Okafor Mary Silver/The Epoch Times
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 Dr. Randolph Gardner and his wife Caroline Gardner Mary Silver/The Epoch Times
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 L-R Catherine Stevens and Susan Stewart Mary Silver/The Epoch Times
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 L-R Attorney Edward Starr, Corporate Trainer Wesley Franklin and Importer Richard Williams. Mary Silver/The Epoch Times
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