Shen Yun: Colorful Extravaganza in Springfield (Photos)

(Clearwisdom.net) SPRINGFIELD, IL―Sangamon Auditorium was fortunate to host for the first time the Shen Yun Performing Arts show on Tuesday, February 9, 2010. The audience was awed by the high degree of technical mastery combined with grace and majesty that the show blends together so well.

Retired Journalist: Fantastic presentation!

Mr. Heinecke, a retired journalist

Among the crowd was Mr. Heinecke, a retired journalist. The frigid weather did not keep him from getting to the show.

"I am a former president of our Springfield International Folk Dancers. I've seen many different cultures, different groups represented, but I never had seen anything on the Asian dance cultures, so this was a fantastic presentation of that," said Mr. Heinecke.

The quality of all of the performers really impressed him. Mr. Heinecke has had 40 years of experience in the theater, mainly in acting and staff production.

"I enjoyed the costuming, the colors, and the fantastic use of fabrics by the dancers. The creativity that they exhibited in their various formations and the athleticism of the dancers, particularly the male dancers," said Mr. Heinecke.

"It was just a colorful extravaganza, and I was very impressed with the artistry. Because of the timing, everything in the music--everything--was handled very well"

When asked how he had heard about the show, Mr. Heinecke said he saw an advertisement in The Illinois Times.

Theater Assistant: You just have to see this magnificent show!

Ms. Robertson, a theater assistant

Braving a one-hour icy drive to see Shen Yun, the Robertsons said confidently, "We had to come."

Both felt the trip was worth the effort. "Yes, very special," Mrs. Robertson agreed. "It's awesome.

You just have to see this magnificent show, I've never seen anything like it. It was very bright and beautiful. I thought it was wonderful. It was very bright and colorful.

"The pleasant music was very relaxing," she added. This must have been an important aspect of the performance for her, because she later mentioned again that the music was calming and peaceful.

"It's better with a live orchestra, for sure," she said.

Ms. Robertson bought the tickets as a Christmas gift for her parents in December at the Decatur Mall.

Source: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/29428/ and http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/29419/