FAIRFAX, Va.— Josephine Abboud, a vice president in marketing, watched Shen Yun Performing Arts at the George Mason University Center for the Arts on Jan. 22.

“It’s exquisite,” she said. As soon as the curtain went up for the opening program, Ms. Abboud felt a sense of freedom and optimism. “It was very freeing and very uplifting. I found [the performance] very deep, very introspective, very colorful, and very flowing.”

“I really loved the dance of the men in the mountains. I loved the long-extended arms that flowed and the power of the [male dancers,]” she said. “I just felt very strengthened by it.”

Accompanying Ms. Abboud to the matinee was her friend Elizabeth Arens, a freelance writer and editor.

“I was extremely impressed [by how] they did not pull punches about what the Chinese government is doing today. It was very bold,” she said. “To be bold enough to come here and say it? I really admire them for that. [This performance] gets their message across.”

Referring to the artists’ mission to bring back traditional culture, Ms. Arens thought Shen Yun was doing a wonderful job. “I think it’s a great step forward, I really do. Look at the number of people who are here! Especially the young people—[Shen Yun can] really sensitize them.”

Prior to the communist regime’s violent 1949 takeover and its systematic spread of atheism, Chinese people were very spiritual and had a deep belief in the divine. This was a pleasant surprise for Ms. Abboud.

“It was a little unexpected and it’s amazing! It was thought-provoking and almost brought me to tears. I think there’s something here for me to learn.”

Her biggest takeaway from Shen Yun was “the message of hope,” Ms. Abboud expressed. “To never give up! No matter what’s going on, there’s a divine power behind everything. Regardless of what the circumstances are, just keep on going.”