About the Show
In a collection of short pieces, audiences travel from the Himalayas to tropical lake-filled regions; from the legends of the culture’s creation more than 5,000 years ago through to the story of Falun Dafa in China today; from the highest heavens down to the dusty plateaus of the Middle Kingdom.
Tenors, sopranos and other award-winning vocalists perform piano-accompanied solos, along with a regular favorite — the stirring melodies of the two-stringed erhu, also known as the Chinese violin.
Shen Yun’s one-of-a-kind orchestra, with its all-original compositions, blends East and West like no other. The distinctly Chinese sound of ancient instruments like the erhu and the pipa are bathed in a rich sea of Western strings, percussion, woodwinds and brass. The result — two great classical music traditions producing one fresh, unexpected sound.
Animated backdrops transport the audience to another world. Projected behind the dancers, the hi-tech images lift the stage and set it amidst blossoming landscapes, deep forests, Mongolian prairies or celestial paradises.
One of the features that strikes audience members most is Shen Yun's colorful costumes. These hundreds of gorgeous, hand-made garments span China’s dynasties, regions and ethnic groups. “I wish I could wear that” is a common reaction. Even leading fashion designers leave the show excited with new inspiration.