Anyone driving around Oklahoma and the surrounding area the last couple of months has noticed the large, colorful billboards announcing the return of Shen Yun Performing Arts. But what is it?
Estelle Lin and the rest of the classical Chinese dance and music company have made it their goal to share the wondrous heritage of China and its people with the world.
“The purpose of Shen Yun is to share the true value, the pure beauty of traditional Chinese culture and deeper insight to China,” Lin said.
Educational and spiritual
“Shen Yun presents classical Chinese dance with a live orchestra that combines Eastern and Western music and an animated backdrop,” Lin explained. “It’s not just entertainment but also very educational and spiritual.”
Shen Yun creators said the show emphasizes China’s culture and people.
“More than 5,000 years of Chinese culture with music and dance in one night,” Lin said.
Shen Yun has performed around the world since 2006. From Denver, Colorado, to Tokyo, Japan, the performance has become a worldwide hit.
“Shen Yun is celebrating its 10th birthday this year, and they just announced their fifth company, the Shen Yun North America Company,” Lin said.
One reason the show has become so popular is its storytelling. The mini-dramas are straight from Chinese legends passed down for centuries.
Some of Shen Yun’s stories from Chinese literature include Monkey Business in the Dragon Palace, Tang Monk from Journey to the West and Yang Zhi Sells His Sword.
Shen Yun also recreates some of the country’s most inspirational and meaningful legends. The Legend of the Jade Rabbit, The Emperors Journey to the Moon and The Monk Who Endured are a few of the 11 stories in Shen Yun’s roster of Chinese myths and legends.
No home
China is one place none of the performance companies can visit. According to Lin, after the Communist Party of China (CPC) took over, “they destroyed the authentic Chinese culture.”The CPC is officially an atheist regime, and Shen Yun Performing Arts company’s mission is to revive the essence of Chinese culture, traditionally considered divinely inspired.
The Oklahoma City show is the first of two stops in the state during the Shen Yun 2017 World Tour. The company returns to Tulsa in February. This is the third straight year and fourth since 2009 that it has performed in Oklahoma.
“Because I am living in the Oklahoma City area, I would like to bring this great culture event to the Oklahoma people so they can experience Shen Yun,” Lin said. “It is an unforgettable journey, because the show touches people’s heart. Whoever enjoys the show will recommend their family or friends to experience Shen Yun too.”
Shen Yun performs 7 p.m. Dec. 22 and 2 p.m. Dec. 23 in Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Theatre at Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave. Tickets are $70-$150. Visit shenyun.com or okcciviccenter.com or call 405-297-2264.
Print headline: Historic hues, Shen Yun brings its vibrant tale of Chinese history, culture and art back to OKC.
