GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—Shen Yun Performing Arts graced the stage of Grand Rapids’s DeVos Performance Hall, Feb. 11.

“I really enjoyed it,” said Suzie Blake, a WGVU public media coordinator. “It was very nice.”

After going home from work, Ms. Blake said her plan was just to stay home and relax. However, her plans changed and she felt fortunate for her change of heart. “Glad I came. It was really entertaining—very exciting, very colorful,” she said.

“For 5,000 years divine culture flourished in the land of China,” reads Shen Yun’s website. “Humanity’s treasure was nearly lost, but through breathtaking music and dance, Shen Yun is bringing back this glorious culture.”

As for what stood out to her most, Ms. Blake said that “the different props and the audiovisual” were something she had never seen before. “I loved how the performers jumped in and out of the screen. Yes, that was interesting,” she added.

Shen Yuns digital backdrop serves as an extension of the stage, transporting audiences to a world where heaven and earth are one. The backdrop also occupies the unique function of providing the settings for Shen Yun’s stories, which depict 5,000 years of China’s rich dynastic history.

“I didn’t have much idea about the different story lines coming into it, so it was nice to be able to have those small introductions going into the performances,” Ms. Blake said. “They helped me understand. You know what was going on stage, but I had no experience with any of the stories.”

As for those who failed to attend the performance: “You missed a really nice show, and you better get there next time,” she concluded.

Reporting by Valerie Avore and Michael Fitzgerald

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

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.