COSTA MESA, Calif.—Shen Yun Performing Arts held its opening performance at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts on Tuesday evening, March 11.

President of West Coast Metal Stamping company Jerry Reinhart and Marian Reinhart, who is retired, were among the audience and absolutely loved the performance.

“They all were so energetic, and could leap so high and be so flexible,” said Mr. Reinhart. “It was amazing.”

New York-based Shen Yun’s website states, “Through the universal language of music and dance, Shen Yun weaves a wondrous tapestry of heavenly realms, ancient legends, and modern heroic tales, taking you on a journey through 5,000 years of Chinese culture.”

“The athleticism is incredible, simply incredible,” said Mrs. Reinhart. “Takes your breath away.”

Shen Yun was established in 2006 with the mission, “to revive the true, divinely inspired culture of China and share it with the world,” says the company’s website.

Mr. and Mrs. Reinhart marveled at the dancers’ ability to seem as though they were gracefully sliding or “skiing” across the floor. They said it must take a lot of discipline and years of practice to learn that technique.

Mr. Reinhart said that along with the dancers’ athleticism and the rhythm of the dances, he was also impressed with the calm serenity in the movements.

“The flutter of all of the banners, the ribbons that they had tied to their hands, it flowed. It was soft,” he said.

The couple said they also felt moments of excitement, laughter, and even a sense of the universality of the divine coming through the performance.

“I just enjoyed the whole performance,” said Mr. Reinhart.

After seeing Shen Yun and hearing that the company is not allowed to perform in China, Mrs. Reinhart said, “I think the communists in China are even more repressive than we know.”

Mr. Reinhart said he was the one who had wanted to come see Shen Yun, and he would definitely recommend the show to others.

“I would tell them to see it,” he said. “I saw the advertisement, and the woman flying through the air, and she looked so graceful and wholesome. We had to come see this.”

Reporting by Albert Roman and Sarah Le

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