Kung fu fighters

A collective grimace spreads over the nearly sold-out crowd of theater-goers. Some cry out in shock and vicarious pain at what they witness: A man onstage balances on five spears almost six-feet tall.\nFortunately, he is a highly-trained member of the elite Chinese monks known as the Shaolin Warriors, and he isn't nearly as concerned as they are.\nThe Shaolin Warriors, who travel the world demonstrating an ancient form of kung fu, developed the art nearly 1,500 years ago. Shaolin kung fu combines zen meditation with animalistic attack and defense movements.\nEight o'clock rolls around, and the last audience members take their seats -- some unsure what they are in store for. The IU Auditorium doors open to hundreds of students and community members anticipating a night of entertainment Wednesday.\n"This was a really great cultural offering to have on our season," said Doug Booher, director of the IU Auditorium. \nAs the house dims, the stage lights cast a glow over the fog slowly filling the stage. A pulsing Oriental beat splits the calm and the stage bursts to life with dazzling light. Monks clad in orange garb soar through the air in an indistinguishable flurry of limbs before they finally land in a perfectly balanced sitting position.\nFor two hours, the monks astonished the audience with choreographed fighting sequences, stunning tests of endurance and intriguing rituals. Highlights included a contortionist who took the stage early in the first act, drawing frequent gasps and the occasional shriek from the audience.\n"That guy turned his foot around 180 degrees," sophomore Debbie Peachy said in awe after the show. "You're not supposed to bend that way."\nFreshman Mary Henney said while she found the show enjoyable, some parts were difficult to watch. One monk had a block of celery chopped to bits on his bare stomach, and he later performed a handstand on only two fingers.\n"It was a little disturbing and stomach-wrenching," Henney said. "I yelled out a couple times."\nLater, the audience witnessed enough acrobatic kung fu to make Keanu Reeves blush. The speed of the animal-movement demonstrations left mouths gaping, while a series of quick front "head-springs" inspired a round of applause.\nIn the finale, a monk used various weapons to spar with his cohorts, one after the other. The show culminated in the ceremonial presentation of a necklace of wooden beads, signifying his mastery of the Shaolin art.\nKinesiology lecturer Bob Kessler enjoyed the opportunity to watch some of the younger performers.\n"My son is enrolled in Monroe County Martial Arts School," Kessler said. "Watching him progress slowly from one rank to the other really helped me relate to the younger performers."\nIn addition, the martial arts classes at the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation had an opportunity to talk to the monks in person.\nBooher said he enjoyed the chance to bring additional educational opportunities to students and community members. He said the show was a perfect way to provide quality entertainment as well as insight into diverse cultures.\n"My favorite part has to be the guys breaking the steel rods over their heads," he said. "You watch that and you say 'That is unbelievable, no way did that just happen in front of me.' But it did."\n-- Contact staff writer Mike McElroy at mmcelroy@indiana.edu.