Epoch Times Staff January 25, 2009

"Definitely uplifting," said Mr. Smith. (The Epoch Times)

NEW YORK--The Divine Performing Arts Chinese New Year Splendor played its last show in Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, much to the satisfaction of a Broadway actor who took in the performance.

"This is the first time I've seen a Chinese Show. This is a brand new experience. It is fully uplifting. Ecstatically beautiful, traditional--I have never seen this tradition before," said Mr. Smith, an experienced Broadway actor who's been in the casts of Cats, The Color Purple, Lion King, and others.

Mr. Smith has performed for 19 years and toured overseas, but this was the first time he had seen classical Chinese dance.

"I have never been to China and everything that I am getting is completely new. It not only broadened my horizons as a dancer, it actually allowed me to witness what I am seeing today."

That sight included dances of China's heroic legends and stories of contemporary issues. Divine Performing Arts takes its inspiration from 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. Many of its dances are based on the country's amazing wealth of myths, legends, and historical stories.

One of the dances set in modern China is "Heaven Awaits Us Despite Persecution." It tells the tale of a father that is persecuted for practicing Falun Dafa. The fantastic scenes that ultimately unfold in this piece present a message of hope and bespeak of a longstanding Chinese belief that good people are ultimately rewarded, even if not in this lifetime.

Mr. Smith said a friend had told him something about the meditation practice before, but after seeing the dance about what its believers were experiencing in China, he wanted to read more about it.

"It is extremely touching. Touching for me to know that people are being persecuted for all different sorts of reasons--for collecting as a group to try and better humanity--and that they are suffering for their actions."

Mr. Smith said the show left him ecstatic and impressed.

"I recommend that everyone see it. It has been a wonderful experience. It has been definitely uplifting and I am glad I came to see it today. I had no idea what my day was going to be like, but I am so thrilled that I had the opportunity to come here tonight."

He also commented on the technical skills of the dancers and said that one of the male leads was "very strong" to do the turns and jumps in the dance.

"Being able to move laterally and do turns like that with a promenade, which is just a movement of your heel in a circle. He has done it several times and it is beautiful--it is absolutely amazing."

Divine Performing Arts has three dance companies on its 2009 world tour that will stop in over 65 cities in Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America.

Source http://en.epochtimes.com/n2/content/view/10903/