New Tang Dynasty Television's (NTDTV) Chinese New Year Spectacular closed with four shows in Toronto last Saturday, rounding out a successful, sold-out run of 10 shows in four Canadian cities.
The Spectacular made its debut with two shows in Vancouver on January 3. Its January 12 performance in Ottawa sold out five weeks before the show. The tour group then traveled to Montreal for three shows, followed by Toronto for four shows. The Canadian leg of the tour played before a total audience of nearly 19,000 across the four cities.
Joe Wang, president of NTDTV Canada, told The Epoch Times that he was delighted with the Spectacular's success. "Every show was packed, and the station received overwhelming onsite audience response rating the performances highly."
He gave Toronto's children's show on January 19 as an example. "Feedback from the students showed that they very much approve of the concepts from traditional Chinese culture that were conveyed, such as a reverence for heaven and the gods, the belief that good and evil have just returns, and the principles of loyalty and filial piety."
This year is the fourth year of the traveling production. Based on gross sales, US-based Billboard magazine ranked last year's New York show at the famous Radio City Music Hall the 7th internationally on its Boxscore chart published in February 2006.
Addressing the pre-show VIP reception in Ottawa which was attended by over 200 guests, Canadian Environment Minister John Baird said he brought greetings on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada. "We're so thrilled and excited that NTDTV, The Epoch Times , and the Chinese community have brought this great New Year celebration to Ottawa," he remarked.
Headquartered in New York, NTDTV is an independent, non-profit, global Chinese-language network which was founded by overseas Chinese in 2002. The Epoch Times , along with Sound of Hope Radio and NTDTV, are co-sponsors.
Canada's Governor General Michaëlle Jean sent a greeting letter, as did Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who sent a recorded greeting.
Over 20 additional greetings were received from government officials and supporting organizations. Those who attended the shows and receptions included business and media sponsors, Chinese community leaders, elected officials from all levels of government, and assistants from the Prime Minister's Office as well as the offices of several Members of Parliament.
'Sophisticated Entertainment'
Audience feedback gave recognition both to the high professional calibre of the Spectacular and its aim to showcase traditional Chinese culture and values while fostering "understanding between Chinese and Western societies."
"Usually we hear about song and dance multiculturalism, but it's usually not very deep or very profound," said Professor Cyril Dabydeen, "But tonight it was the most extraordinary cultural show I've ever seen and experienced."
From 1984 to 1987, Dabydeen served as Poet Laureate of Ottawa, a distinguished role supporting the Canadian government's mandate to promote the importance of literature, culture, and language. In 2000 he was a juror for the Governor General's Literary Awards.
"It broadens tremendously your understanding of the richness of human civilization, particularly Chinese civilization," he said. The performances gave him a sense of the essence of Chinese culture, which he described as "the pursuit of truth," with a "great emphasis on morality" and "the grandness and beautiful harmony of the human spirit."
Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien said that although he's been to China, he has "never been treated to this level of sophisticated entertainment."
Simma Holt, a Member of the Order of Canada, saw the Spectacular in Vancouver. She said she deeply supports NTDTV's purpose—to provide audiences worldwide with a historically accurate portrayal of China's semi-divine ancient culture.
Referring to an act that depicts the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China, Ottawa City Councillor Maria McRae commented that it was presented in a way that "allows us to reflect on just how important culture could be to understanding a story."
On that subject, human rights lawyer David Matas remarked, "I see that the best hope for ending [China's] repression is through Falun Gong and their connection to the traditional Chinese culture."
The 16 programs included dances from various Chinese ethnic and dynastic traditions as well as solo song and instrumental performances by renowned classical Chinese artists. The stories of Mulan and Yue Fei, legendary figures from Chinese history, were also featured, depicting the traditional values of loyalty, bravery and filial piety.
Chinese Culture Revived
One of the missions of NTDTV, noted by the company's president Zhong Lee, is to "facilitate a renaissance of traditional Chinese culture" and thereby "reverse, in part, the tragic loss of traditional culture in China experienced over the past several decades of Communist rule."
Jean Zhi, president of the Ottawa organizing committee, explained that after the Chinese Communist Party came into power in 1949, they almost entirely destroyed China's traditional culture, including temples, books, and its moral and spiritual essence. The artists of the Spectacular "strive hard to reverse the damage and bring back the good part of Chinese traditions," she said.
Attempts by the Chinese communist regime to interfere with the show every year have not negatively impacted sponsorships, ticket sales, or audience enthusiasm. This year, the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa went so far as to issue a statement saying it disapproved of "the participation in the 'New Year Spectacular' by the officials of any country in any form."
In Montreal, James Shin, who heads the community newspaper Korea Week, called the show a "very brave and successful attempt" to unify traditional Chinese culture with the events unfolding in China today. He praised the show for the manner in which it achieved this, and said that those who follow their belief and respect ancestral culture earn the respect of others.
"Several times, I was moved to tears, especially in the dance where a Falun Gong practitioner was tortured to death for persisting in her belief. But she was brought to heaven and the persecutors were punished," audience member Ms. Cai told reporters in Chinese.
Member of Parliament Royal Galipeau noted that "This is the kind of event that not only helps people be proud of their culture, but also helps people who do not belong to this culture to appreciate this culture and to grow… intellectually, morally, and perhaps even financially."
After Toronto, the Spectacular travels to five US cities before returning to New York for seven shows at Radio City Music Hall, February 14-17. This year the production visits 28 cities across four continents, playing a total of over 70 shows.
"Of course I want to come next year," Dabydeen said. "The nation's capital is not an ordinary city anymore, but a top-class world-class city, thanks to the Chinese New Year experience."
The Epoch Times is proud to join with New Tang Dynasty TV and Sound of Hope Radio in co-sponsoring NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular ( http://shows.ntdtv.com. )