Epoch Times: Holiday Show Enchants Old and Young

Holiday Wonders is in full swing at the Beacon Theatre in New York. Tuesday evening's inaugural performance thrilled guests and set the tone for its nine-day run. Wednesday evening's performance set even more toes tapping. Families, couples, and people from all over were buzzing with excitement as they left the theater. From all accounts, the drums owned the crowd. Again and again, people said the drums were awe-inspiring.

Simone Bassous, Executive Director of the Pacific Asia Travel Association-NY Chapter, thought the show was a perfect introduction to Asian travel. "Instead of going to China, they could watch the show," she said.

With all the shows going on in New York, we asked Ed and Isabel from Monroe, NY why they chose Holiday Wonders. Ed said, "We saw several holiday shows. We liked the quality of this show. It's a great show."

Rita Mihalek and Katie Terricciano are office friends on an evening out. They enjoyed the blending of Eastern and Western cultures and the show's variety. They especially liked the Mongolian Cup Dance and the erhu (a two-stringed Chinese instrument) soloist.

Henny Sandari from Jakarta, Indonesia had seen Divine Performing Arts two times prior to tonight.

"If we weren't leaving tomorrow, we would see it again." -- Loretta Kuccia from Texas

"I couldn't help shedding tears," Sandari said. "I've cried every time I've seen them perform. As an overseas Chinese living in Indonesia, I have no chance to get in touch with Chinese culture. It's a very touching experience to reconnect to my heritage. There are 20 million ethnic Chinese living in Indonesia, and I look forward to Divine Performing Arts coming to Jakarta in the spring!"

According to ancient Chinese texts, traditional Chinese vocal music stresses "conveying spirit," so that "the sound can be heard three days after the singer is finished." Renowned tenor Guan Guimin's voice, singing "Chakravartin," resounded throughout the theater and received enthusiastic applause.

Maryanne Klejmont, a supermarket manager from Mendham, NJ, brought her husband and two young children. She said, "I think it's important to expose them to different cultures." In response to the show, she shared, "The colors, the movement. It's beautiful."

Tara, from Westchester County, NY, loved the drums. "They gave you spirit," she said.

Two ladies from southwest Texas, Loretta Kuccia and Kathleen Fuller, enthusiastically endorsed the show. "The dancers were so graceful, so different from what we usually see. The backdrops, the costumes. It was a very good experience. If we weren't leaving tomorrow, we would see it again."

We asked the Karen Dwyer family what the children liked most. Mrs. Dwyer's daughter, who is from China, liked the watersleeves dance and her son loved the drums.

Andrea, a CPA from Jersey City found the show to be "surprising, unusual, and unexpected." She said, "I enjoyed that Swan Lake and Asian ballet are performed in the same show. It has both Eastern and Western sides." She went on to say "The Orchestra is so powerful and resonating and generates very strong energy. They sent chills down my spine. I could have gone to the usual Radio City [Christmas] show, but I wanted to do something outside the box."

Fred, an actor from Queens described his experience in a few words. "Glorious. Beautiful. I appreciate the spiritual element tied into the show, giving respect and praise to the higher power and lord."

Holiday Wonders presents China's traditional art forms in a modern setting. The performance integrates classical music, traditional dance, artistically animated backdrops, and intricate stage design to convey the essence of Chinese culture.

Around the world, the shows are eagerly anticipated. Clearwisdom.net reported that Divine Performing Arts shows in Taiwan sold 10,000 tickets the first day on sale. Show organizer, Chang Ruilan, general secretary of New Tang Dynasty International Culture Association, said the shows in Taipei sold out in three hours. There will be 20 shows in Tainan, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Taipei and more than 50,000 people will watch their performances.

The show will continue in New York through December 26.

The Divine Performing Arts will hold holiday shows in 60 cities around the world this year with an estimated audience of 650,000.

Additional reporting by Cary Dunst