Epoch Times Boston Staff

Feb 12, 2007

"Celestial Maidens" (NTDTV)

This past Saturday, the Opera House was the scene of wonder--at times playful and entertaining, at times soulful and serious--as myths and legends of ancient Chinese traditions came to life on the Boston stage.

Last year, New Tang Dynasty TV's (NTDTV) Chinese New Year show played to a packed house at the Cutler Majestic Theatre, with dragons and lions used to convey messages of ancient traditions along with magnificent costumes and songs intermingled with multicultural Western traditions of music and dance.

This year's Spectacular was different in many aspects and focused solely on all things Chinese, but communicated its timeless messages to a receptive and multiracial audience of all ages.

Last year's show entertained; this year's Spectacular enthralls you. It can capture and emotionally move you in unexpected ways. This spectator found himself with tears rolling down his cheek and goose bumps covering his skin as different episodes unfolded. Where did all this come from?

A lot of the wonder is created not only by what is happening on stage but also by the show's ability to trigger and bring to the surface one's deeper feelings and thoughts.

This effect is achieved by a careful selection of myths and legends that have been passed down for thousands of years. These stories are conveyed to viewers through sound and movement that seems to bypass the consciousness and penetrate one's inner being.

An important production technique that was highly effective combined hi-tech video animation with traditional Chinese imagery and dynamic landscapes. At times, images flowed out of the screen onto the performers and enveloped the stage in a seamless flow.

At times, it seemed that the show was a vehicle for the universe to tell its story to the audience--telling us why we are here and what kind of behavior is good or bad.

Several different scenes deal with these themes in a way that is genuine without being pedantic or sentimental. "Vows of Old" helps awaken us to our role in life, and "Mulan" illustrates bravery and humility along with respect. "To the Rightful Place" depicts the current persecution in China of those who practice Falun Gong, as well as illustrates courage in following what is morally right and how the universe dispenses retribution to those who are bad. And "Auspicious Words" seems to give us a sense of finding hope.

The costumes and colors are so glorious that you almost take them for granted. Even the host changes her dress after intermission.

As wonder-filled as the Boston Spectacular was, the show promises to be more so in New York at Radio City Music Hall this week from the 14th through the 17th. The host at the Boston show casually mentioned that there would be seven new scenes in the New York production.

What I got from that announcement is this: If you want to see and experience the full-fledged Chinese New Year Spectacular, go to New York City. It's not that far away, but the experience could transport you to a new place, with a new vision. For details see www.shows.ntdtv.com.

The Epoch Times is proud to join with New Tang Dynasty TV and Sound of Hope Radio in co-sponsoring NTDTV's Chinese New Year Spectacular ( http://shows.ntdtv.com. )

Source: http://en.epochtimes.com/news/7-2-12/51599.html

Posting date: 2/14/2007
Original article date: 2/14/2007
Category: News & Media Reports

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