Shows by the touring company of
are big, visually striking spectaculars. That much, at least, there seems widespread agreement about.
The New York-based troupe presents music and dance from the classical and folk traditions of China in elaborate, colorful stagings featuring dozens of performers. At least part of the idea is to pay tribute to the cultural and philosophical riches of Chinese history, and the shows often earn raves for their scope and beauty.
Embedded into some of the processional pageantry and epic story dances, though (according to numerous reports and reviews), are the tenets of the controversial Falun Gong movement and implicit critiques of the Chinese government.
Then again, as we like to say in the West, all art is political.
7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St.; $60-$180, 888-974-3698, ShenYun.com/Portland
--Marty Hughley