BALTIMORE—Shen Yun Performing Arts returned to Baltimore, at the Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric on Friday, Jan. 30, for a much-anticipated opening night.

Jared Kuper, a mechanical engineer said that what he saw was special and was glad it could be shown in America, since it is not allowed in China.

Shen Yun was founded in New York in 2006 with a mission to revive 5,000 years of Chinese culture, which was almost destroyed by decades of communist rule that suppresses traditional culture.

“I definitely feel glad that it hasn’t been lost and that it is able to be on display here even if it isn’t able to be on display where it’s from [in China]. I think that’s important.”

Also anticipating the performance was Vernene Rodgers Lenz, music director at the second largest Lutheran Church in Baltimore, and a retired psychotherapist. He said, “I think it’s beautiful. I saw it last year, and I liked it so much that I knew I wanted to see it again. So this time, I brought two friends who’ve never seen it.”

His expectation based on last year’s performance was fulfilled. “I think it’s beautiful. The costumes are gorgeous. The music, telling the story of China through the history of its culture and its spiritual beliefs, I think it’s very lovely,” he said.

Coming with a Purpose

A few members of the audience who were interviewed came with a certain purpose and took away something related to their professional life.

Christopher Martin works in information technology and is also a martial artist, who has taught Kung fu for 25 years. He was very pleased, saying, “The technique is fabulous. I mean, I’ve seen amazing displays of just talent and true physical feats that are worked on and earned and developed over years and years of practice. … So, to watch somebody that is able to make such a difficult transition look so seamless, it fills the heart, and it’s not something you can see in video or film now…. That’s the true art that is lost within theater, that you don’t get in film…”

Likewise, David Patton business owner and acupuncturist, drew from his experience and was greatly enriched.

Patton said, “I study Chinese medicine, I’m an acupuncturist. With the whole culture and the language, I really appreciate the intent of the song that the soprano sang. I can’t read [Chinese], but I do understand a little bit of the heart of what’s being spoken from the Dao. So, for me, that’s why I wanted to come see it, I wanted to see some embodiment in an art form, outside of the medicine [which I practice].”

Reporting by Sherry Dong, Sally Sun, and Jenny Jing

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.

Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reaction since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.