Hui Wang, a resident of West Windsor who immigrated to the United States from mainland China 10 years ago, will dance at the Holiday Wonders show this month both in New York City and in Atlantic City. The show features an array of costumes, dancers, and musicians depicting ancient Chinese culture and history — some with a modern twist. ##M:[more]##
“Many young people do not value the tradition any more,” says Wang. “It is a painful experience to see so many traditional Chinese cultures and values have been destroyed by the numerous political movements during the ruling of Chinese Communist Party. It has been hard for people to grasp the essence of Chinese culture, a culture emphasizing the universal values of honesty, compassion, and patience.”
Performances include original dance numbers, solo vocalists and musicians, and dramatic depictions of stories through dance and music. The Divine Performing Arts Orchestra employs a unique blend of Chinese and western instruments to play original scores.
“Beyond the beautiful costumes, musics, dances, and the background, all those pieces together present the profound meaning of the culture and life,” says Wang. “I feel so fulfilled each time after I get off the stage.”
In addition to taking audiences on a vivid tour of ancient Chinese dynasties and ethnic groups, Holiday Wonders also depicts several contemporary stories from present-day China. Among the hundreds of volunteers for preparing and promoting the shows, there are close to a dozen volunteers from West Windsor and Plainsboro.
“I watched the show since 2004 when NTDTV hosted the Chinese New Year Spectacular for the first time,” says Janet Chen, a Plainsboro resident who would like her son to stay tuned into his cultural roots. “I was shocked to see Chinese culture that cannot even be found in mainland China.”
Aside from the live music and dances, intricate, custom-tailored costumes designed specifically for each act, the multimedia backdrops create visions on stage similar to detailed oil paintings.
Gloria Gao, another volunteer from Plainsboro, hopes that when people see the show, they will think about what these ancient Chinese arts can truly bring to people.
“When people see good and evil, they must make a decision which side they will be standing with,” says Gao. “This show makes people think about the those questions. I promote the show because it is uplifting besides beautiful.”
Holiday Wonders, Best Chinese Shows, Beacon Theater, 2124 Broadway, New York City, 212-307-4111. www.bestchineseshows.com. $48 to $200. Tuesday, December 18 through Wednesday, December 26.
Holiday Wonders, Best Chinese Shows, Caesars, 2100 Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City, 212-307-4111. www.bestchineseshows.com. $60 to $120. Friday, December 28, through Sunday, December 30.
