Screenwriter Johnnye Gerhardt who was attending Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Orpheum Theater on Tuesday, April 20, with her husband, Richard Bastman, who owns a Financial Planning business. (Valerie Avore/The Epoch Times)

OMAHA, Nebraska—“It was absolutely dazzling, stunning!” said screenwriter Johnnye Gerhardt who was attending Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Orpheum Theater on Tuesday, April 20, with her husband, Richard Bastman, who owns a Financial Planning business.

Ms. Gerhardt is a screenwriter, a finalist in the Omaha film festival, a member of Nebraska Writers Workshop, a Speaker for Governor's Education Outreach Program, and currently has a screenplay with a production company called “Wonderworks.”

Born and bred in Omaha, Ms. Gerhardt and her husband had “never seen Chinese traditional dancing before” so decided to experience the wonder of the New York-based Shen Yun.

“Visually the precision was phenomenal–I’ve never seen precision work like that before,” said Ms. Gerhardt. “It was a symphony of color. “It was just a delight–I was entertained every moment.”

Integral to the Shen Yun performance is a state-of-the-art animated backdrop, which displays blossoming landscapes and celestial palaces. Ms. Gerhardt said of the backdrop, “It was fascinating. It gave it more dimension, it gave it depth.”

The Shen Yun Orchestra brings together two of the world’s greatest classical music traditions, Chinese and Western, in a masterful fusion, something Ms. Gerhardt really enjoyed, saying, “I loved the way they incorporated modern musical instruments with traditional.”

Mr. Bastman enjoyed the show very much, saying, “I’ve never seen anything quite like that. The colors were marvelous–it was visually stunning. It was just a fun show. The music was great.

“I was apprehensive, quite frankly, coming to the show because I did not know what to expect and it was a pleasant surprise.”

Costume Designer Says ‘Costumes are beautiful’

Denise Ervin, a costume designer, and her daughters. (Mike Chen/The Epoch Times)

Denise Ervin, a costume designer, and her daughters, were also in the audience. Her daughters said in unison that Shen Yun was “beautiful."

As a costume designer, Ms. Ervin appreciated Shen Yun's spectacular costumes.

“The colors are beautiful and I love how in Chinese dance everything is incorporated into the dance. So even their wardrobe, and how their clothes flow and the sleeves, the 'water sleeves,' [Flowing Silk.]"

Glass Blowing Artist: ‘It was very spectacular’

Frank Daharsh, a glass blowing artist, and Jeanne Daharsh, an actuary manager. (Mike Chen/The Epoch Times)

Frank Daharsh, a glass blowing artist and 3-D designer, and Jeanne Daharsh, an actuary manager for the State of Nebraska, also had the pleasure of experiencing Shen Yun in Omaha.

Mr. Daharsh said of Shen Yun, “I liked it very much, I liked the dancing the best. “It was very spectacular lots of good dancing and the music was great. The costumes were outstanding.”

As a 3-D artist, Mr. Daharsh was appreciative of the state-of-the-art animated backdrops which often appear three dimensional. He said, “The visual backdrops were helpful to tell the story. The way the scenery moved was good, that was a nice affect."

Mrs. Daharsh added, “I like the ladies with the ribbons. I like the backdrops with the buildings, the pagodas.”

With reporting by Valerie Avore and Mike Chen.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. For more information, please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org