PROVIDENCE, R.I.— Gasps of awe, laughter, and cheers were plenty at the Providence Performing Arts Center Sunday afternoon, Feb. 23, at the return of Shen Yun Performing Arts to Rhode Island.

“I was intrigued by it because it’s something I don’t know and don’t understand,” Mr. Jack Weber, retired CFO, said of the 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.

Stories like scenes from Journey to the West and the legend of the mystical boy Ne Zha were new for Mr. Weber, but the enthusiasm and athletic ability of the dancers carried the universal themes through.

Mr. Weber said he wished he could understand the language and background of China, but nonetheless, it was a story that he could relate to through New York-based Shen Yun’s use of music and classical Chinese dance.

“The stories, definitely, you could relate to,” Mr. Weber said. “The were very telling, and very good.”

Best in the World

Retired naval officer Richard Anderson saw Shen Yun with his family and was left with the feeling of needing to share it with the world.

“Everybody in the world should see it, that’s my feeling,” Mr. Anderson said. “Everybody in the world should see it.”

“It was marvelous, just the best show I’ve ever seen in my entire life, really. And I’ve been all over the world,” Mr. Anderson said.

Everything from the artistry of the set to the performers themselves had worked together to create a moving experience for Mr. Anderson.

“Everything just went along beautifully and it was just the best, best performance I’ve ever seen,” Mr. Anderson said.

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.