HOUSTON—Energy executive Hugh Connett saw Shen Yun Performing Arts for the first time at the Jones Hall for the Performing Arts and was highly impressed by the presentation of 5,000 years of Chinese culture by the New York-based company.

“I like it a lot, I like it a lot,” Mr. Connett said. “Just the long history of China, it’s really interesting to learn about that.”

“I’m very glad to be here,” Mr. Connett said, delighted to know Houston was the first city on the list for New York-based Shen Yun’s 2014 world tour.

Between the emcees introducing the stories Shen Yun told through dance, such as the the story of the mythical boy Ne Zha, and the animated digital backdrops, Mr. Connett said the history and culture presented through the dance performances were easy to follow.

“And obviously the costumes are beautiful,” Mr. Connett added.

The costumes too, from imperial dragon robes to the ethnic attire of the Yao people, are a reflection of China’s divinely inspired culture.

“It is this special connection that made the historical Han clothing so multifaceted and rich in design,” Shen Yun’s website states.

A Magical World

Ms. Jean Pollock, who was also among the audience with friends and neighbors, was also full of praised for the performance she took in.

“It was fabulous, wonderful, visually, audibly stunning,” Ms. Pollock said of the performance. “This is going to be a holiday event from here on out.”

Just remembering scenes from the performance was giving her chills down her spine, Ms. Pollock said, adding she was almost thinking of coming back after the matinee for the evening performance at Jones Hall.

“The flow and the costuming, and the grace of the dance, it was magical. It was stunning, stunning,” Ms. Pollock said.

Ms. Pollock said Shen Yun had created a wonderful world she wanted more of her friends and family to enjoy “It was phenomenal, and a world I'd love to stay in,” Ms. Pollock said.

‘Perfection’

The world Shen Yun creates is one of perfection, said Ms. Liz Boyd, who had attended the matinee as well.

“This has been wonderful, wonderful,” Ms. Boyd said. “The height of art and perfection.”

Ms. Boyd expressed gratitude toward Shen Yun’s mission to revive the divinely inspired Chinese culture.

“I think this is something the whole world can learn from,” Ms. Boyd said. “The stories are beautiful, and the stories are so what the world is looking for today.

“At the end of the day we’re all the same. And we are all looking for the same things,” Ms. Boyd said.

Ms. Boyd said she saw in Shen Yun respect and truthfulness, and values that would change the world if everyone shared those views.

“This is human beings and their perfection,” Ms. Boyd said.

Reporting by NTD Television and Catherine Yang

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.