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A show of Chinese beauty, precision

By Nancy Van Valkenburg

Thu, 03/11/2010 - 9:30pm

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'Shen Yun' performs three shows next week at Peery's Egyptian Theater in Ogden.

A 100-artist performance company arrives in Ogden next week to share centuries of Chinese culture through dance, music and historical vignettes.

A Shen Yun Performing Arts touring company makes its Utah premiere at Peery's Egyptian Theater for three nights of shows.

The New York City-based group is one of three such companies that have played more than 100 cities and performed to positive reviews. But there has been some controversy as well.

The event promises nearly two dozen scenes of precision dance, performed in handmade costumes, delivered with live music from the group's orchestra, playing a mix of Chinese and Western instruments. All of this is set before lush backdrops depicting natural scenes that are said to be so realistic they seem almost three-dimensional.

Robin Kemker has seen the show five times, and is one of several fans who formed a nonprofit group, the Art and Divine Culture Association, to bring in the show. Kemker, of Salt Lake City, first saw the group at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

"I was awestruck," said Kemker, who is the show's local spokesman. "A media person grabbed me on the way out and wanted to interview me. I literally couldn't say what I had experienced. Basically, it is something you experience rather than just watching."

A Denver Post critic called the show a "vivid, authentic portrait of Chinese arts."

Controversy

Critics have lauded the show for its beauty, but some have raised concerns about political controversy.

Shen Yun is affiliated with Falun Dafa, more commonly known as Falun Gong. It's a faith-based group best known for meditation and qigong, the performance of slow movements and controlled breathing believed in China and elsewhere in the world to promote physical and spiritual health.

Falun Gong was founded in China in 1992 by Li Hongzhi, who now lives in New York. The number of Falun Gong followers grew quickly, and Chinese authorities labeled Falun Gong a "cult," according to information from the Chinese government's United States Embassy in Washington, D.C., on its Web site at www.china-embassy.org.

Falun Gong charges on its Web site, www.falundafa.org, that China's government has targeted members for persecution because government officials were jealous of the group's power.

Some arts critics, including those from the New York Times and London's Daily Telegraph, complained that scenes in the performance constituted propaganda for Falun Gong by depicting Chinese governmental officials beating innocent Chinese citizens.

In January, China denied visas to key members of the Shen Yun company, three days before the company's seven Hong Kong performances, which Shen Yun said were sold out.

Greg Lewis, Weber State University history professor and Asian Studies program director, said he believes the Chinese government fears Falun Gong because of the group's fast growth, its command of people and resources, and its tremendous wealth.

The program

Kemker, a follower of Falun Gong, said the vignette that critics seemed to target for complaints is not scheduled to be part of the Ogden shows.

Kemker said what the local shows represent to him is a rare chance to experience the lavish display of Chinese history up close and personal. The show was booked at the Egyptian after larger venues in Salt Lake City were found to be booked for Shen Yun's available dates.

"It's a unique theater, more cozy," Kemker said, of the Egyptian. "That may be an odd term, but it's not Radio City Music Hall. I've never seen the show in a smaller venue, and I think it will be a good experience. I know the singers won't need any microphones, purely because their voices are so grand."

Kemker said his dream is to bring the show back next year, perhaps for a split run at the Browning Center and Kingsbury Hall. Once word spreads about the quality of the show, he has no doubt every seat would be filled: "It's a positive and beautiful program."

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