ST. LOUIS, MO—After the Chinese Spectacular played at the Touhill Performing Arts Center in St. Louis on Thursday, several audience members shared their impressions of the unique cultural show.
"Beautiful, gorgeous," said Ann Shapleigh, a retired lawyer, who attended the show with some family members.
Ann's daughter, Julie, said: "I liked the water dance ['Water Sleeves']. I liked the floating, silky spirals. An intense cultural experience."
Julie's grandmother, Claire, said the Spectacular serves the purpose of preserving the old traditions.
"Things change [in the world] so fast. This show will help preserve the traditions as these performers seem devoted."
Claire added that eight residents from her retirement village had come to the previous night's show and thought it was "beautiful."
Becky Swaykus thought the high tech animated backdrops, some of which are hand-painted, helped set the scene.
"It explains things better and demonstrates what it is all about." She especially noticed the many shades of blue in the array of colours.
Denise Edoar also noticed the "happy colours" and commented on the diversity in the Spectacular.
"The context of each of the pieces was different. I enjoyed that and found it endearing."
Denise's friend, Chris Palmer, who hails from London, U.K., commented on the "beautiful colours" and the dance movements.
"I actually liked the combinations of the movements, the complexity of everything. I enjoy complexities because of the profession I am in." Palmer is a computer scientist.
Kenneth Lee Johnson, a student who wants to learn foreign languages, also enjoyed the dance movements and said he took some messages from the performances.
"I have never seen a show like this in my life," he said, adding that he "definitely liked the martial arts."
Johnson said it was natural for him to attend the show because he is "immersed into Asian culture." He also learned something new from the show.
"I remember the character "Truthfulness" and I remember the words, 'Dafa Hao' — the way is good."
Recreation therapist Shawna Porceli said she learned something about Chinese culture from the show. She liked the music and commented; "The instrument [erhu], I didn't know what that looked like before tonight. I had heard it in music I'd listened to, so it was cool to see it played by itself."
"I am so glad I came."
For information about upcoming Divine Performing Arts shows, please visit: www.DivinePerformingArts.org.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Chinese Spectacular. For our complete coverage please visit: http://en.epochtimes.com/features/dpa2008/
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