United States: New York Theatergoer says "The truth is sometimes very harsh, but I liked it very much"

Like the resounding "Victory Drums," the Chinese New Year Splendor shed new light on classical Chinese culture and ushered in the New Year with invigorating energy. The performances not only dazzled the senses but also provoked thought and reconnected people with their inner selves.

Eva, a French language teacher said, "I felt like I was transported to a different place because of the scenery." Her friend, Donna, on the other hand, perceived a "very good message" from the programme "A Vanishing Dream." "There is hope that, even when things are bad, there is good in everything."

Kimberly Roberts, a billing coordinator who works for the Paul J Cooper Center for Human Services in Brooklyn said, "I'm so grateful I was able to come." As she understood it, "The show is trying to enlighten people and tell us that we all at this time need to stand together."

Patricia Parker, who works in real estate, came with Brian Rauscher, a research analyst. She reflected, "My father was from Malaysia, so it was very important for me to feel a little bit closer to my roots. I really appreciate the immense work that went into this performance. I could see it! I really enjoyed the acoustic performances like the drums. I liked the sea nymphs, the colours were extraordinary...I am Chinese by heritage and I feel that I've learned something new today."

Lucia, a college student from Uzbekistan said she was "surprised" by how beautiful the show was, "They [the performers] are very, very professional and it's a very rich programme." Being from the former Soviet Union, she and her friend "felt a little bit ashamed about communism, because we, too, knew this system."

George H. Davis, who owns BBC Plastic, enthused, "This was the best show I've ever seen! Unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable! Everything [was perfect], I just couldn't believe it, the show was so good. You should be in New York more!"

Sathama Denemo, a doctor of dental surgery, said she and a group of doctors had been to many cities in China from Chongqing to Beijing, and she is very much into Chinese culture. She loved the Splendor, saying, "Outstanding! My son loves it, too."

Wayne Johnson, who works in the cleaning business, called the show "very exciting," "[The dancers are] very coordinated, very artistic in telling stories. It comes from within, which makes it alive."

Forecasting the future of the Splendor, he said with confidence, "Trust me, there's going to be much more to come, we haven't seen anything yet!" And he elaborated, "You can't just see it once, I have to see it again, because then I'll get more details. It's mind-boggling right now, but I'll get a fuller scope of it seeing it again, and then, just reminisce more."

A New York-based artist said, "Most of all, I liked the part where the three communists with hammers and sickles on their backs were terrorising the woman and child. I liked it because you showed them and exposed them - that's very important. Next year, you should show even more. The Soviet Union is over, there is only China and Cuba. The whole world is waiting for you to rise up and do something about it! Communists didn't bring anything good... The truth is sometimes very harsh, but I liked it very much myself."

Commenting on the music, he said, "I found traces of Western opera from Aida and Carmen, maybe a little bit of Ode to Joy by Beethoven...Chinese music or Asian music in general, has a sound very different from Western music. I loved the melodies, wonderful! Congratulations! [It was] fantastic, beautiful, very touching, very sentimental, I'm getting sentimental now [laugh]. It was beautiful."