NEWARK, N.J.— Greg Stiles, a former councilman of Mount Hope in Orange County, New York, said the Shen Yun performance on April 11 exceeded his expectations.

“I’ve heard about this for a long time but this is my first opportunity to come from Otisville to see it,” Mr. Stiles said. “It’s more amazing than I ever thought it could be.”

Shen Yun is a classical Chinese dance company based in New York. Its mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture through dance, an advanced interactive backdrop, and a live orchestra that combines Eastern and Western instruments.

Mr. Stiles attended the show with his wife, Mrs. Iris Stiles.

“It’s beautiful and elegant,” said Mrs. Stiles. “It shows meaning.”

Both Mr. and Mrs. Stiles said they would absolutely recommend the performance to their friends.

Among the mirthful crowd was also John Salvato, an entertainment buyer who is president and CEO of Talent Spectrum Inc.

Over the years, Mr. Salvato has booked entertainers such as R&B icon Boyz II Men, award-winning country group Lonestar, and American singer and actor Billy Ray Cyrus.

Mr. Salvato said he would very much like to book Shen Yun as well.

“I came to this show so that I could suggest it to my venue,” Mr. Salvato said. “I thought the show was spectacular.”

“The costumes ... the whole production was phenomenal,” he said. “I think the people who did the production did a fantastic job.”

Mr. Salvato said he was particularly impressed by the creative use of a fog machine to portray clouds, from which dancers dressed in sparkling phoenix costumes emerge.

“It’s very educational for us to see that other cultures believe in a spiritual being, just like we do in the United States,” Mr. Salvato said.