NEW YORK—Two friends who both work in the film production industry beheld Shen Yun Performing Arts on Saturday evening at Lincoln Center.

“We really enjoyed it, we loved all the traditions and the costumes, and the dancers,” said Holly Rymon. They’re beautiful.”

Ms. Rymon has worked on films such as Ted, Now You See Me, and Men in Black 3.

She attended the performance with Denise Pinckley, who has also worked on a range of films as a production manager, including The Royal Tenenbaums, Oblivion, and The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

Shen Yun, a New York-based company, travels around the world presenting the 5,000-year-old Chinese culture through a series of dance pieces drawing on the litany of legends, stories, and ethnicities throughout the vast country.

“Shen Yun’s mini-drama pieces draw upon stories and legends that span China’s history from the Yellow Emperor and through the Tang and Song dynasties and all the way to the modern day,” explains the company’s website. “In less than ten minutes each, Shen Yun dances recount ancient myths, bygone heroes, or celestial paradises.”

At the heart of the performance is classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive dance systems in existence.

“The dance was absolutely beautiful,” said Ms. Pinckley. She was struck by the gracefulness of the dancers’ movement. “I was just inspired,” she said.

Accompanying the dancers is a unique orchestra, which combines classical Chinese instruments such as the gong, with classical Western instruments such as the trombone.

Ms. Pinckley’s daughter, who plays violin, particularly enjoyed the music. “I thought it was so different and I loved all the different instruments,” she said.

Both film industry professionals also appreciated the production of the performance.

“I thought it was very well done,” Ms. Pinckley said. “I loved the introduction to each piece, which was interesting because it let us know what was coming, so that was fun. And the music was wonderful.”

“We also enjoyed all of the characters going in and out of the screen,” said Ms. Rymon. “That was really lovely.”

Reporting by NTD Television and Zachary Stieber

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

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