Stage manager: ‘Until you see it, you can’t imagine how good a show it is’– The Chinese Spectacular

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Little Rock resident Mr. Hardy had been looking forward to the Divine Performing Arts since it was announced the New York based performance group would play at the Robinson Center Music Hall.

As a stage manager he is familiar with the theater but nothing prepared him for The Spectacular.

“Until you see it, you can’t imagine how good a show it is—its just really a good show,” he said.

Mr. Hardy enjoyed all of it, he said, “the costumes, dancing, singing, all of it—choreography–all of it, just great” but was particularly taken with the drumming [Drummers of the Tang Court] and Welcome Spring, a fan dance depicting the colors and vitality of spring.

The warmth of spring is a welcome blessing after winter’s cold in this festive, floral scene. Quick footwork, crisp movements, and stunning bursts of color form the basis of these women’s fan dance and its sense of sheer delight.

“I think it was just the fans, it looked just like a field of flowers blooming—it was just beautiful, just really beautiful. And the colors … My! That’s what my granddaughter said, ‘the colors’! … It just really came to life”.

Mr. Hardy’s seven year old granddaughter, daughter and son-in law also came to the show and he said they had all enjoyed their night, particularly his granddaughter

“My granddaughter especially, she comes to a lot of shows and a lot of them she is bored,” he said.
In the Divine Performing Arts however she “was sitting on the edge of the seat all night long. She really enjoyed it,” he said.

Mr. Hardy said the Divine Performing Arts had increased his interest in Chinese culture and he was looking forward to the company’s return the following year.

“I learned a lot of stuff about the Chinese people. Of course, I’ve always known they’ve been rich in their culture and heritage … I sure hope they come back. It was really a great show.”

- The Epochtimes, Feb. 09, 2009

University VP Says Divine Performing Arts Show is ‘Sublime artistry’

INDIANAPOLIS—Divine Performing Arts (DPA) delighted the audience at the Murat Theatre in Indianapolis on Saturday, Jan. 31, with its unique presentation of Chinese traditional culture.

Ms. Hanson, executive vice president of a major Midwestern university, was highly impressed with DPA’s visual feast of classical Chinese dance and Chinese ethnic and folk dance performed to original music.

“It was marvelous,” she said. “It was sublime artistry. Spectacular—just marvelous in every respect.”

Ms. Hanson said she had seen the show before but not in its entirety. “The historical sweep, the beauty of every section of it—it was just inspiring.”

The New York-based DPA is composed of a unique group of leading artists who share in a vision of reviving Chinese traditional culture which was all but destroyed after the advent of communism to China.

“One of the things that struck me was the kind of melding of the arts into the performance and the window into culture, as well as the really superb artistry of every one of the performers, singers, and dancers, each one individually. Together it was breathtaking,” Ms. Hanson said.

When asked what she thought about the message the show imparted, she said, “It was wonderful. The sort of emphasis on compassion is something we can all learn a lesson from.”

Ms. Hanson added that she thought the show “was a marvelous window into all sorts of elements of Chinese arts and culture. My home discipline is philosophy, so I loved hearing about Confucius too—the same message of Socrates, about knowing what you don’t know.”

Commenting on other aspects of the show, Ms. Hanson said that the projected backdrops “were quite intriguing. I don’t know enough technologically to know how that’s produced, but it was an interesting way of conveying various elements of the narrative.”

DPA makes use of an innovative digital backdrop that provides an animated setting to frame each dance. In some of the pieces, the scenes on the backdrop interact with the dances on stage.

The show also features accomplished solo singers and musicians as well as a live orchestra that combines Chinese and Western music and instruments

“The music was wonderful too in each of the episodes of the singing and dancing. There was humor in the introduction of the orchestra. I think we all learned something and had a great experience,” Ms. Hanson said.

She described the piece, Mulan Joins the Battle as “terrific.” A legend in Chinese history, Mulan joined the army disguised as a man in her ailing father’s place.

Ms. Hanson concluded by saying that the show “taught all of us a lot about the history of Chinese culture …. Bringing things from the various provinces was a wonderful element of the show too. It was terrific.”

- The Epochtimes

World Renowned Cellist: ‘beauty, purity, sincerity, excellence’ of Chinese New Year Splendor

NEW YORK— Concert cellist, Christine Walesvska was right at home at the Radio City Music Hall’s matinee session of the Divine Performing Arts (DPA) Chinese New Year Splendor on Sunday Jan. 25.

“This is just spectacular as always. It’s just incredible how creative and how each time they are doing new dances,” she said. “I love it, just love it”.

Ms. Walesvska has seen the Divine Performing Arts Chinese New Year shows for the last four years.
Last year, however, she was forced to miss it at this venue. A soloist since she was 18, Ms. Walesvska is world renowned and travels a lot to perform. Last year, for the first time, she was away for the Radio City season. While she still caught the show at the Beacon Theatre instead, it was good to be back at the famous theater.

“I mean, it’s just phenomenal, it’s just incredible. As always the dancing is exquisite and the beauty of everything and the backdrops. It’s certainly the place to have it here, in the Radio City Music Hall, just incredible.”

Ms. Walesvska said she was intrigued by the history of Chinese dance, noting its influence on modern acrobatics.

“I am very happy that the Master of Ceremonies told us that these phenomenal flips that they do … you know, I thought that it was part of acrobatics, but he explained that it was from thousands of years ago, that it’s the tradition that’s been passed on, but to do that without even putting your hands on the floor, just flipping!”

The Divine Performing Arts’ focus on traditional Chinese culture is, in fact, one of the main features Ms. Walesvska loves about the show.

“Yes, I have learned lots of new things. They are bringing back for the world to see the traditions of the ancient Chinese and I think that’s what’s so fantastic,” she said. Adding that different traditional cultures around the world “have been burned out” over the years but she believed the DPA was invigorating a renaissance in the classical arts of ancient China.

“When you look at, for instance, the ancient Chinese materials, and I have some beautiful ancient robes myself, and then you see well, yes, this group is inspired by all of that beauty of yester year.

“Then you look at what mediocrity is considered to be modern art and you say, ‘well my goodness’ I mean thousands of years ago all of this beauty existed and where are we now?”

As a musician, Ms. Walesvska noted particularly the role music played and the musicians played in the performance, describing the erhu player as “just most exquisite.”

“We, as interpreters, have the great joy of bringing to the audience from a different era something of great beauty that is rare to find today, and that’s what I think everybody appreciates about this show,” she said.

Ms. Walesvska looked around the foyer for the friends she had invited to see the show, noting with appreciation the three different companies now touring the world at the same time. “I am so happy … It is just so magnificent,” she said.

She tells her friends, “if you want to be uplifted, if you want to see something of sheer beauty, grace, magnificence,” then this is the show to see. “It puts you in another world, and I think that that’s also the great power of music because it has the capacity of lifting people’s spirits and inspiring their souls, and that’s what you have with this show.”

She used the words “beauty, purity, sincerity, excellence,” to sum up her feelings about the show, noting that “when you think of the amount of practise that it takes for this tremendous dancing together…and the things that you see, it’s so fantastic.”

She said the dancers were “very, very beautiful, extremely beautiful” and again reiterated how impressed she was with the new show. “I just cannot believe how they have different costumes each year, different dances, the music is gorgeous and it was just marvellous. I loved every minute of it,” she said.

- The Epochtimes: World Renowned Cellist: ‘ I loved every minute of it’

Artist: ‘It just makes me want to go home and start painting’

NEW YORK— For the second year running, artist Mrs. Denigris came to see the Divine Performing Arts (DPA) at New York’s famous Radio City Music Hall. This year, on the auspicious eve of Chinese lunar New Year, Jan. 25.

“I was here last year. I loved it last year and this year when I saw it advertised up in the Greenwich Time, I saw, ‘Oh, I’ve got to bring my friends.’ So I’ve got several Korean friends that I brought with me and my son and my husband, so there are seven of us. Lucky seven,” said Mrs. Denigris.

As a painter of traditional Chinese landscapes and wildlife herself, Mrs. Denigris said what she loved best about the show was the scenery.

“I loved the scenery. Besides the dancing and the music, the scenery is absolutely gorgeous and being a student of the Chinese art I appreciate the scenery more than the average person because I do that type of work. I’m inspired.”

DPA use a state-of-the art, stage-sized digital backdrop to display ever-changing images of traditional China.

“I love it. It’s inspiring. It just makes me want to go home and start painting,” reflected Mrs. Denigris.

“It’s beautiful.”

- The Epochtimes, Jan 25, 2009

The Chinese Splendor is ‘a visual feast’, Says Choreographer, Tap Dancing Master

By Wen Zhong and Sarah Matheson, Epoch Times Staff, Feb 09, 2008-

NEW YORK—Jerry Ames, an American choreographer and tap dancing master, was very impressed by the beauty of Chinese New Year Splendor on Friday night.

“The talent is very, very lovely, and the music and the setting is just gorgeous,” he said.

Mr. Ames has performed on Broadway, in nightclubs, on luxury liners, and on some of the major television channels in the United States.

(photo: Jerry Ames and his companion, Adorama at Splendor on Friday night/ by the Epochtimes)

His companion, Adorama, is a former dancer who is currently working with the Dance Notation Bureau.

She said she enjoyed watching the dancers’ footwork in “The Fruits of Goodness.” “Those two boys who got lost … I looked at their feet. Gorgeous. Beautiful feet—which shows obviously the training they’ve had,” she said.

Mr. Ames said the performances were all very unique. “And we particularly like the costumes, very lavish and beautiful,” he said. Adorama said the digital backdrops were also impressive. “On that scale, that’s very unusual to see, because the stage is so large, and then to have this projection,” she said.

Mr. Ames said Radio City Music Hall was the perfect venue for the show, “because it’s so large, it’s just beautiful.”

He really enjoyed the drums. “Oh that was very impressive…wonderful, wonderful,” he said.

Mr. Ames expected people would learn about the show through word of mouth. “I’m sure that everybody who saw it will tell their friends,” he said.

He said he also liked the sentiment behind the lyrics. “What impressed me were the lyrics speaking of freedom, and against tyranny … The music was great,” he said.

They both described the show as a “visual feast.”

“With the color schemes and the way the costumes blend with the setting is very impressive. It’s very elegant, very successful,” Mr. Ames continued. “We’re very impressed, it’s just beautiful … We’re very happy to be here.”

The Chinese New Year Splendor continues in New York through Saturday, Feb. 9. For other shows in the Divine Performing Arts world tour, please visit: http://www.DivinePerformingArts.org/

Source: Choreographer, Tap Dancing Master Says ‘Splendor’ is ‘a visual feast’

The Chinese Splendor Shows How to ‘Promote peace and harmony’, Says Korean Family

By Dalia Or, Epoch Times New York Staff, Feb 09, 2008-

NEW YORK—As the Chinese New Year Splendor nears the end of it 11-day run at Radio Music Hall, a family of three generations who attended Saturday’s matinee had high praise for the show.

“Culture is meant to promote peace and harmony with our neighbors. This harmony includes truth, compassion and tolerance,” said Daniel Lee, a real estate investor with Speed Investment Group in New York City.

“This world has plusses and minuses, but there is another world beyond this world, beyond this time-space. The Splendor shows us about history, culture, and how to promote peace and harmony in the world. I liked how it was presented in the show very much.”

Lee attended the Splendor with his wife, father, and son. “Three generations of us are here,” he said, pointing to his father and son. “My father is 90 years, I’m 45 years old, and my son is 15 years old.”

Lee said that his favorite piece was a Korean dance called “Changbai Mountains.”

“I like the Changbai Mountain dance very much. This mountain is the model of all the mountains on the earth. We Koreans call it the model mountain.”

Particularly taken in by the deeper meaning of the performances, Lee said, “The show was very good. Not only the music, but also beyond it. I’m referring to spiritual things.”

His wife, Hong Kim Elizabeth, a lawyer originally from Korea added that it was an “excellent show.”

After playing 15 shows in New York between January 30 and February 9, the Chinese New Year Splendor will continue its tour of over 65 cities worldwide with its next stop in Europe.

The Chinese New Year Splendor continues in New York through Saturday, Feb. 9. For other shows in the Divine Performing Arts world tour, please visit: http://www.DivinePerformingArts.org/ .

Source: Chinese ‘Splendor’ Shows How to ‘Promote peace and harmony in the world’

‘Chinese New Year Splendor’ ‘Never to forget’ : Violist Eric Shumsky’s Letter

The Epoch Times, Feb 01, 2008-

Eric Shumsky’s Letter on the ‘Chinese New Year Splendor’

The Chinese New Year Splendor is an evening of performance never to forget!

Having seen the first Winter Divine Performing Arts show at the Beacon it was with great pleasure to attend their equally spectacular show at Radio City on January 31.While I would have preferred the audience lights to be dimmed a bit more and the announcers’ microphones turned down a bit, I was mesmerized immediately with the incredibly felt performances from all the artists.

(photo: NEW YORK: Eric Shumsky, violist and son of Oscar Shumksy, outside Radio City Music Hall on December 31, 2008 /The Epoch Times)

Having been raised with a great father one of the consummate artists of violin the world has known (Oscar Shumsky 1917-2000, Shumskymusic.com) I was always told and understood that feeling above all is most important. Striving for cleanliness and exactness of performance is fine but the end result must be heartfelt and meaningful.

The spectacular array of talent from beautiful choreographed dance works, including Lady of the Moon inspired by a Chinese legend, to Forsythia In Spring , portraying the flower welcoming. Spring lightness and grace could not have been more aptly titled. Dancers danced suspended in thin air, as if on clouds!

Sets with changing and imaginative backgrounds superimposed dancing figures and beautiful scenery, colored by China’s profound past.

I loved especially the lead dance work of Michelle Ren, who is an artist the minute she walks on stage. Her grace is an understatement in elegance, simplicity and beauty, and her presence divine splendor.

I don’t have room here for all the great contributors. The music, a melange of east and west, quickly got to the underlying meaning behind each drama to be depicted. Junyi Tan, Xuan Tong, Yuan Gao, Yu Deng and Ningfang Chen must be given enormous credit for their original and special music.

And I would be leaving out a great part of the show. The elegant and artistic Erhu player: Xiaochun Qi.

I know most of the classical string players performing today and I dare say most of them could take lessons in the essence of expression. The little girl can express more feelings from her simple little instrument than years of conservatory and PR hype, and this includes most of the big name performers on today’s concert circuits. She really feels the music—the goose bumps on my arm proved it. I know Dad would have loved this kind of playing and feeling.

I will be back and bring my friends too!

Eric Shumsky

- Original report from the Epochtimes

(Video) Audience Feedback (4)~(6) on 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular

From NTDTV-

Celebrated Canadian Dancer: Chinese Spectacular ‘not just pretty pretty, it’s serious pretty’

By Jason Loftus, Epoch Times Toronto Staff, Jan 19, 2008-

TORONTO— Vanessa Harwood is among Canada’s most honoured dancers. After attending the Toronto premier of Divine Performing Arts’ Chinese New Year Spectacular at the Sony Centre she’ll be telling others about the beauty of the show.

Harwood was a principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada. The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, once home of National Ballet of Canada, is her home, says Harwood. She danced there with the National Ballet in the 1960’s and 1970’s and her photo still hangs on the wall in the theatre.

(photo: Honoured Canadian ballet dancer Vanessa Harwood/ by the Epochtimes)

In 1984, Harwood was honoured for her accomplishments with the country’s top civilian honour, the Order of Canada.

She attended the show Friday with her husband, Hugh Scully, is a surgeon, professor, and former president of the Ontario Medical Association.

“There’s this sort of calmness that goes through it. . . this ethereal feeling,” said Harwood, describing the show. “Everything is sort of on one level. It has passion, but yet it’s calm. And it’s beautiful.”

“It’s not just pretty pretty. It’s serious pretty – there’s a lot of depth to it, and a lot of meaning. They take it very seriously. And it’s beautiful to see it.”

The Divine Performing Arts dance company has made it a mission to revive classical Chinese dance, a form of traditional culture that has been suppressed almost to the point of extinction in China by the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

Harwood spoke about how the Khmer Rouge communist dictatorship that ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979 and killed a quarter of the population tried to destroy Cambodian dance but was unsuccessful.

“The Cambodian dance, they tried to kill it completely; one person survived and brought it back. Dance expresses your culture, so it will never go. It’s so important for dance as a culture to continue someone’s culture.”

“It’s like the lotus flower,” said Harwood, comparing the ability of dance to rise from adversity to that of the flower which rises from the mud to grow into something beautiful.

“If you can preserve it, it’s fantastic.”

“And there’s one other thing about dance – it has no language barrier. You can understand it no matter what your language is.”

With her past experience as a dancer Harwood said she was able to see the amount of rehearsal that went into the show. She could tell the backgrounds of many of the dancers. Besides the obvious training in classical Chinese dance Harwood identified that particular dancers were clearly trained in ballet, some in other dances.

“They’re so elegant and beautifully rehearsed. And it’s very nice to see the Chinese culture mixed with the classical dance.”

Her favourite performance depicted traditional Mongolian dancing. “There’s something mysterious about it,” she said.

Harwood is a member of the World Dance Alliance, which describes itself as the primary voice for dance and dancers throughout the world. The organization encourages the exchange of ideas and the awareness of dance in all its many forms. She said she plans to recommend the show to others in the organization.

“I’m going to have to tell them – they’ll have to see it when it comes to their town.”

“This is beautiful, it’s professional and very well done.”

The Toronto debut of the Chinese Spectacular performed before a packed Sony Centre, one of city’s top cultural venues and the largest soft-seat theatre in Canada. The audience appeared engrossed in the show, with frequent raptures of applause. An ovation sustained throughout the curtain call, with many rising to show their appreciation. Friday’s performance was the first of five shows in Toronto and one of twenty shows in Canada.

After Toronto, the Spectacular will continue on its global tour, which includes an 11-day run at the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York. The show returns to Canada for shows in Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary in the spring. By the end of its tour, the show will have played to a total live audience of 650,000 in over 60 cities and 14 countries.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Divine Performing Arts shows that will perform in over 60 cities worldwide in 2008. To find a show near you, please visit www.bestchineseshows.com.

- Original report from the Epochtimes

(Video) Audience Feedback (1)~(3) on 2008 Chinese New Year Spectacular

From NTDTV-

For more information about the four continents tour of the show of the Chinese New Year Spectacular and the show time in your city, please visit the official website: http://bestchineseshows.com

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