WESTCHESTER, N. Y.—The Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, staged world-premiere Shen Yun Performing Arts for one night only on Aug. 22. But the good news is the New York-based company will return Sept. 12.

Enjoying the evening performance that drew a standing ovation at the final curtain was Martin Lipton, a retired physician, who was accompanied by his wife Fernand, an artist.

Fernand, who was born in China, received “a big surprise” from their son in Atlanta who ordered tickets for the couple while there. "It was a surprise for me ... This is wonderful, a very big surprise," the artist said.

Integral to Shen Yun are story-based dances bringing to the stage ancient China’s divinely inspired cultural heritage portrayed in classical Chinese dance and music.

Exquisitely costumed dancers framed by colorful 3-D animated backdrops were “marvelous, wonderful, excellent,” the couple chorused.

Fernand said she loved the long flowing sleeves in the dance, Flowing Silk, and also the bright yellow handkerchiefs twirling and spinning through the air in the dance aptly named, Handkerchiefs.

“It was beautiful, it was very theatrical and it flowed; it was beautiful, yes, very beautiful,” she said of Flowing Silk.

Martin was “very excited” with the projected scenery displayed on a backdrop screen that framed the artists and changed seamlessly between each act.

For him, the artistry was even more “wonderful” because Fernand used to paint backdrop scenery. “This was very well done,” she commented.

Even the orchestral blend of ancient Chinese and modern Western music triggered excitement. Fernand was transported by the “beautiful voice of the tenor.”

Shen Yun Performing Arts will return September 12 for a one-off performance. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts.

Original article: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/41549/