Shen Yun - Segerstrom Center for the Arts

SEGERSTROM HALL
January 29 – February 1, 2015
Thursday & Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday at 2 & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday at 12 & 5 p.m.
Out of courtesy to the artists and your
fellow patrons, please take a moment to turn
off and refrain from using cellular phones,
pagers, watch alarms and similar devices. The
use of any audio or videorecording device or
the taking of photographs (with or without
flash) is strictly prohibited. Thank you.
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ABoUT SheN YUN
Greetings From Shen Yun
It is truly a pleasure to welcome you to Shen Yun. For those who
have seen us perform before, we are glad that you are joining us again.
If you are here for the first time, you are in for a memorable event.
What you are about to see is an entirely new program of dances
and music. Months of effort, and of course a little inspiration, are now
before you. Our hope is that you will leave the theatre today feeling
uplifted and renewed.
Shen Yun’s productions draw their inspiration from China’s 5,000
years of civilization. Values such as compassion and loyalty, kindness
and bravery lie at the heart of traditional Chinese culture. We believe
this rich heritage is a precious gift worth keeping, and worth sharing
with all of you.
Prepare to enter a magical realm of beauty and purity, a place
where the righteous always prevails, and legends come to life…
Enjoy the performance!
About Shen Yun Performing Arts
A GIFT FROM THE DIVINE LAND. China was once known as the
Divine Land, its glorious culture said to have been brought down from
the heavens. But under the last 60 years of atheist communist rule, this
divinely inspired culture has been almost completely destroyed. That is
why you cannot see a performance like Shen Yun in China today.
NEW BEGINNING. In 2006, leading Chinese artists from around
the world came together with a mission to revive authentic Chinese
culture. They formed Shen Yun.
Independent, nonprofit, and based in New York, Shen Yun can
freely present these ancient traditions on stage. The company has
drawn world-class dancers and musicians from around the globe.
Every year, they create an all-new production and invite you to explore
the wonders of this lost world together.
Classical Chinese Dance
CLASSICAL CHINESE DANCE is one way in which 5,000 years
of Chinese culture have been passed down and retained. It is a dance
form built on profound traditional aesthetics. In its early days, it
was conveyed primarily among the common people, in the imperial
courts, and through ancient plays. Over thousands of years, this art
was continually organized and refined, with it eventually developing
into the vast, systematic, and distinctly Chinese dance form that we
know today.
Classical Chinese dance has its own set of training methods in
basic skills and has strict training in both physical expression and
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specific postures. It also involves combinations of leaps, turns, flips,
spins, and other aerial and tumbling techniques. It is an extensive
and independent system of dance
Within classical Chinese dance lie China’s rich cultural traditions, which allow its movements to be deeply expressive, such that
the personalities and feelings of characters can be portrayed with
unparalleled clarity. It is therefore capable of depicting scenes from
any time period, whether ancient or modern, Eastern or Western, in
a strikingly vivid way.
The Perfect Harmony of East and West
The Shen Yun Orchestra blends two of the world’s greatest
musical traditions, Chinese and Western. Ancient instruments like
the two-stringed erhu, the plucked pipa, and a range of Chinese
percussion instruments lead the melody on top of a full Western
orchestra—strings, woodwinds, and brass—creating a refreshing,
new sound.
The Shen Yun Orchestra plays all-original compositions.
Grounded in ancient Chinese melodies, the orchestra’s music
melds distinctive Chinese sound with the precision and power of
the Western orchestra.
A New Symphony Orchestra Is Born
Until recently, Shen Yun’s music was heard only accompanying
dance. But in 2012, the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra, with over 90
musicians, took the stage at Carnegie Hall. The debut’s tremendous
success led to U.S. tours in 2013 and 2014. Keep an eye out for it in
2015—it is a musical experience you will not want to miss.
The Program
FOLLOWING THE CREATOR TO
RENEW ALL THINGS
CHINESE DANCE STORY
CHOREOGRAPHY BY YUNGCHIA CHEN
MUSIC BY JING XIAN
High up in the heavens, we find ourselves in a sacred, divine realm.
Suddenly, a golden chariot appears, signaling the arrival of the Creator.
He announces to the deities his intention to descend to the mortal world
and establish civilization on Earth. Many divine beings join his mission,
reincarnating in the Middle Kingdom as members of China’s splendid
Zhou Dynasty.
A SONG FROM THE ANCESTORS
YUAN LING, SOPRANO
TEXT BY D.F.
MUSIC BY D.F.
There is a song I know
A legend from my ancestors
The melody is simple, but the message profound
It tells of catastrophe in the Final Days
And that followers of a Great Way (Dafa) shall save us,
even as they’re persecuted
The truth will be buried in lies
Making the truth difficult to see, and disaster hard to escape
But it will still pay to be good
To survive, one will have to find the truth
This is my ancestral legend
And signs of the catastrophe suggest that it’s true
For as legend told, followers of Dafa
now spread truth to shatter delusion
I want to make this legend come true
I want to make this song come true
SLEEVES OF GRACE
CLASSICAL CHINESE DANCE
CHOREOGRAPHY BY MICHELLE REN
MUSIC BY D.F./ARR. JUNYI TAN
An early spring breeze ripples the surface of a lotus pond. Gentle maidens
glide with dainty steps, their silken sleeves trailing through the air in
ethereal patterns. Dancing with flowing grace, their movements paint a
picture of serene delight.
CAPTURING ARROWS WITH BOATS OF STRAW
CLASSICAL CHINESE DANCE
CHOREOGRAPHY BY JINMAN LI
MUSIC BY JING XIAN
It is the year 208, the end of the Han Dynasty, and three great armies have
converged on the banks of the Yangtze River. On one side, stand the Shu and
Wu allied forces, totaling 50,000 men. On the other, the Wei forces of 800,000.
Just before the epic battle, the allies’ strategist Zhuge Liang suddenly
needs 100,000 arrows. He crafts a master plan: under a blanket of fog and
a moonless night, he sails toward the other side, loudly beating his battle
drums. The Wei troops fire away, and the arrows rain down on the boats.
But instead of soldiers, these boats are loaded with straw men, which
simply capture the arrows. Having obtained what he came for, Zhuge
Liang sails home victorious, his ships laden with arrows “borrowed” from
the enemy. Thus ends one chapter in the classic historical novel Romance
of the Three Kingdoms.
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CHOPSTICKS DANCE OF THE MONGOLIAN LADIES
ETHNIC DANCE
CHOREOGRAPHY BY MICHELLE REN & YUNGCHIA CHEN
MUSIC BY JUNYI TAN
Where vast, open grasslands meet the canopy of a brilliant blue sky,
Mongolian women greet their guests with bowls of milk tea. Arms extend
along the horizon like flying falcons, and shoulders shake to a staccato
beat. Sequined skirts glitter and beaded hats gleam as dancers click
handfuls of chopsticks in an energetic dance of welcome.
THE FABLE OF THE MAGIC BRUSH
CHINESE DANCE STORY
CHOREOGRAPHY BY GU YUAN
MUSIC BY JING XIAN
In a seaside village, a young painter befriends a mysterious maiden and
defends her from a band of ruffians. In gratitude, she gives him a magical
brush that turns anything it paints into reality. She then flies away,
assuming her true form: a silver dragon.
The kindhearted artist paints a granary for the villagers. But suddenly
the thugs return, steal his brush, and knock him into the sea. After being
rescued and visiting the underwater Dragon King Palace, he returns to
his village. There, he discovers the greedy ruffians still struggling with the
brush, which will not obey an impure heart. Though they try to force our
painter’s hand, the young man has a plan.
IN A VILLAGE OF THE HMONG
ETHNIC DANCE
CHOREOGRAPHY BY YUNGCHIA CHEN
MUSIC BY GAO YUAN
Bright jingling sounds rise from the flowery fields of southern China,
heralding the arrival of a group of young ladies. Clad in long white skirts,
they are members of the Hmong ethnicity. Their elaborate silver jewelry
accompanies them, swinging and tinkling as the ladies step to cheerful
drumbeats.
THE POWER OF COMPASSION
CHINESE DANCE STORY
CHOREOGRAPHY BY YUNGCHIA CHEN
MUSIC BY D.F./ARR. JUNYI TAN
In a town in contemporary China, people are practicing Falun Dafa.
This is the spiritual meditation discipline, also known as Falun Gong,
whose practitioners are persecuted in China today. But in the beginning
of this story, these are still peaceful days, a time when the practice was
a common sight in Chinese parks; even passersby were inspired by its
principles of truth, compassion, and tolerance.
Persecution suddenly erupts, with Communist Party policemen
attacking the meditators. While trying to arrest a young man, a police
officer slips and hurts his knee. The young man stops trying to flee
and helps the resistant officer. They eventually sit down together to
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read Zhuan Falun, Falun Dafa’s main text. The police officer comes to
regret his actions, as understanding and sincerity pave the way to an
unexpected blessing.
A LEGEND FROM MY TOWN
GUANG LING, SOPRANO
TEXT BY D.F.
MUSIC BY D.F.
There’s a legend from my town:
When the yellow flowers bloom,
the red flowers shall wilt and fall
The Creator will come and save, delivering us back to heaven
While deceit and oppression will invite divine wrath
How many shall survive the disaster isn’t known
It will be holy ones that save us from this calamity
While the Red Beast oppresses and harms
Attacking with slander and sinister lies
Finding the truth will be the key to survival
The legend is now coming true
Yellow flowers are blooming, while the Red Regime falls
The Creator is delivering us back to heaven
Delivering us back to heaven
COURTYARD ELEGANCE
CLASSICAL CHINESE DANCE
CHOREOGRAPHY BY GU XUAN
MUSIC BY NINGFANG CHEN
In the gardens of a grand courtyard, young ladies dance with fans amidst
the flowers, their movements delicate, their steps refined. Graceful and
feminine, they delight in simple joys that reflect their innocent hearts.
SNOW-CAPPED CELEBRATION
ETHNIC DANCE
CHOREOGRAPHY BY YUNGCHIA CHEN
MUSIC BY JING XIAN
Atop the Himalayas sits the grand profile of Lhasa’s Potala Palace.
Beneath its gaze, Tibetan men joyfully dance to a zestful song. They form
a line, admiring the view from the steppes. Together, they jump and leap,
twirling their sleeves in celebration.
—INTERMISSION—
PHOENIXES OF THE SAPPHIRE PARADISE
CLASSICAL CHINESE DANCE
CHOREOGRAPHY BY MICHELLE REN
MUSIC BY D.F./ARR. GAO YUAN
Soothing celestial strains resonate through a heavenly cloudscape.
Phoenix fairies, dressed in azure skirts and fluttering capes, take flight as
eternal sovereigns of a boundless sky.
MIGHTY MONK
OUTLAW OF MT. LIANG
CHINESE DANCE STORY
CHOREOGRAPHY BY YUNGCHIA CHEN
MUSIC BY HAORAN LI
CHINESE DANCE STORY
CHOREOGRAPHY BY GU YUAN
MUSIC BY D.F./ARR. JUNYI TAN
In a faraway monastery, Buddhist monks practice their martial arts
skills. One junior monk aspires to match their prowess, but falls woefully
short. He decides to ask for help from the statue of a heavenly warrior. In
response to his sincerity, the statue comes to life, and grants the young
monk both super strength and supernatural power—all from a bowl of
magical meat.
The classic saga Outlaws of the Marsh tells of 108 figures who end up
finding refuge on Mt. Liang. This is the story of one of their heroes, a
man named Lin Chong. As the curtain opens, Lin Chong recalls his glory
days as a commander of 800,000 imperial guards and remembers his
marital bliss.
HANDKERCHIEF BLOSSOMS
FOLK DANCE
CHOREOGRAPHY BY MICHELLE REN
MUSIC BY D.F./ARR. JUNYI TAN
In the heart of winter, braving snow and ice, a group of young ladies
merrily greet the crisp air in this northeastern folk dance. On their
fingertips they spin pink handkerchiefs, symbols of plum blossoms and
the coming arrival of spring. Lively and bold, the ladies add a spark of
vibrancy to a chilly season.
As we see his story evolve, the son of a corrupt official tries to seize Lin
Chong’s beautiful wife, who gives up her life to escape the lecherous
man. An angry, grieving Lin confronts the man, but his nepotistic father
imprisons Lin instead. As if that were not enough, the young villain then
follows Lin, and bribes the guards to burn him alive. But Lin Chong
escapes and finally kills his enemy in self-defense. Realizing he has been
left with no choice but to flee, he reaches for his wife’s handkerchief to
wipe his spear and write: “Forced onto Mt. Liang.”
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SCHOLARLY ASPIRATIONS
CLASSICAL CHINESE DANCE
CHOREOGRAPHY BY MICHELLE REN
MUSIC BY D.F.
A full moon illuminates the grounds of a Han Dynasty palace. Young
Confucian scholars, garbed in rich purple robes, gather to seek
inspiration from the heavens. In the quiet evening, they conjure masterful
works of prose, their noble bearing evident through their movements.
ALL FOR TODAY
LU SUN, ERHU
ACCOMPANIED BY HUIZHEN CHEN
MUSIC BY D.F/ARR. JING XIAN
MONKEY KING AND THE SKELETON DEMON
CHINESE DANCE STORY
CHOREOGRAPHY BY GU YUAN
MUSIC BY JING XIAN
The classic novel Journey to the West is based on the true story of a Tang
Dynasty monk who embarks on a quest for Buddhist scriptures. In the
book, he is protected by three disciples: the golden Monkey King, lazy
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Pigsy, and river ogre Sandy. Their journey is fraught with danger, as
demons keep trying to eat the monk, believing his flesh grants immortality.
In this story, Skeleton Demon disguises herself by taking on human
form—a beauty, an old lady, and an old man. She fools everyone…
except the magical Monkey King. He strikes her down each time,
although her demon spirit escapes in a waft of smoke. The monk is
horrified, thinking his disciple is killing innocent people. He punishes
Monkey and banishes him from the journey. With Monkey out of the
way, the demon and her minions capture the monk and Sandy. Pigsy
narrowly escapes and finds Monkey, begging him to come back and
help. The clever Monkey finds a way to sneak into the demons’ lair, hide
in a wine goblet, and take on one last battle with the Skeleton Demon.
DANCE OF THE LI
ETHNIC DANCE
CHOREOGRAPHY BY JINMAN LI
MUSIC BY JUNYI TAN
Along the tropical shores of Hainan Island, ladies of the Li ethnic group
gather on the sand. Yellow straw hats in hand, they dance by the waves with
easy grace, spinning and swirling to the ocean’s gentle breeze.
SPIRIT OF THE YI
ETHNIC DANCE
CHOREOGRAPHY BY GU XUAN
MUSIC BY JUNYI TAN
The low, long notes of a shepherd’s horn echo through the rugged
mountains of Yunnan province. From within the mist, men of the Yi
ethnicity emerge to heed its call. Cloaked in broad tasseled capes, they
sweep across the valley like a fleet of clouds as the music swells. Their quick
footwork and distinctive wrist movements characterize this ethnic dance.
FOR YOU I SING
MIN JIANG, SOPRANO
TEXT BY D.F.
MUSIC BY D.F.
Dear friend
It is for you I sing
My words are sincere
Shared from my heart
Dafa disciples are divine messengers
They spread the truth to save humankind
Nero was a devil and a tyrant
Today’s Red Beast is no different
We mustn’t forget history’s lessons
Those who laugh now, regret later
Those who understand, take the divine path
Dear friend
I am singing this for you
It is for you
This is what you have hoped for
THE DIVINE RENAISSANCE BEGINS
CHINESE DANCE STORY
CHOREOGRAPHY BY MICHELLE REN
MUSIC BY D.F./ARR. JUNYI TAN AND JING XIAN
Returning to China today, the scene opens with a little girl who sees a
group of people meditating. Moved by their serenity, she discovers they
are practicing Falun Dafa, and befriends them, despite the disapproval
of her police officer father. She joins them in holding a banner: “Falun
Dafa is Good.” A group of Communist Party policemen suddenly
appear, and with them dark clouds, signaling the onset of nationwide
persecution. Amidst the chaos, the girl’s father arrives just in time to see
a fellow officer land his daughter a lethal blow. Anguished, he renounces
his loyalty to the Party. When all seems lost, and even the earth begins
to erupt in fury, Lord Buddha appears, with divine beings trailing in his
wake. And, with this heavenly scene, a new era begins.
Kelly Wen & Leeshai Lemish, Masters of Ceremonies
Program subject to change.
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