(Clearwisdom.net) New York Times reporter Herbert Muschamp once described Prudential Hall, one of two theaters at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) as "breathtakingly glamorous...classical in form and spirit: four-tiered and horseshoe-shaped, glittering with light. The color scheme varies slightly from the traditional red and gold. There's red galore, but in place of gilded plaster, the tiers are faced with panels of beautiful golden wood...(the) stage and auditorium have been combined into one warm, embracing room. The region has not seen as fabulous a new hall since Philip Johnson's New York State Theater opened its doors three decades ago." This is also where the world-renowned Divine Performing Arts enraptured audience members of all ages and backgrounds with stunning dances, exquisite costumes, and animated backdrops on January 26 and 27, 2009.

Vallen, a homeland security officer who works at an airport, called the Chinese New Year Spectacular "perfect" and said it portrayed "a lot of good stories, a lot of good messages." He perceived "a lot of spiritual connotations" including "humanism, righteousness, compassion, honor" and appreciated the performance for informing people about "a whole lot of things that we need to know." Equally delightful to him was the music accompaniment, "The orchestra is fantastic. I've seen a lot of live orchestras, but they [DPA orchestra] are especially well organized."

Vallen's wife, Gwendolyn Maddox, a senior computer operator, greeted the reporter with an ear-to-ear grin and passionate praise, "I loved it!" She learned about the show from her Chinese colleague, Su Li, who told her, "You will really like it." "And I agree with him," said Gwendolyn with resounding certainty in her voice.

Though the Chinese are sometimes known for their reserved manner, one Chinese pianist did not hesitate to laud the Spectacular with heartfelt admiration, "Absolutely terrific! They are so professional! It was simply super!"

Bob Harney, who worked for a wall street insurance company prior to retirement, said the show was "absolutely fantastic." He compared the DPA to what he saw in Mainland China and pointed out some noteworthy contrasts, "I've been to Beijing several times, and this is much different. This is much more appreciative of the history, culture, and mythology, and how it all fits together. This has a simplistic, sweet air to it, which you don't find on the streets of Beijing now. It's excellent, beautiful!" When asked whether the spiritual elements in the show had any effect on him, he expressed a sense of optimism. His wife, a former employee at an export and contract manufacturing company, decided to come to the Spectacular after seeing a commercial on TV. She was mesmerized by the skillful performers, "Some of the beautiful flower dancing was extremely hypnotic! Very enjoyable!"

Joseph Anthony Dematayo, who used to work as part of the production crew at AMC theater, could hardly find enough adjectives to express his amazement, "The show was superb! It was awesome! Bravo! It was beautiful. The clothes and the energy were beautiful, very elegant clothes. The pictures behind the dancers were very beautiful, breathtaking, beautiful and realistic looking! I've been to China and Korea, but today was fabulous!" He said he would recommend the show to anyone and couldn't pick a favorite. "Fantastic! All of them were my favorite. I liked all of them very much; I can't say which one I like the most because they were all very good. It was excellent." In the end, he explained why two-and-half hours of the Spectacular had turned him into an avid fan, "Of course--it's first class! Everyone should see it because it will bring out the best in you!"