ROSEMONT, Ill.—On the evening of March 27, Joshua Settles, a health and nutrition consultant, saw Shen Yun Performing Arts with his daughter, Aili, at the Rosemont Theatre in Chicago. Drawn in initially by television advertisements, the father and daughter found themselves captivated by a vivid portrayal of traditional Chinese culture and artistry.

Mr. Settles said the performance delivered far more than expected. “We saw the advertisements on TV, and that’s partly what drew us in,” he said. “But the idea of the artistry, old China, and all the different cultures and dynasties—that’s what drew us in, and then the artistry definitely kept us.”

Through classical Chinese, folk, and story-based dances, Shen Yun brings to life traditional values such as filial piety, kindness, truthfulness, and loyalty.

A striking aspect of the performance is its portrayal of both traditional culture and the realities of present-day China, creating a powerful contrast on stage.

Mr. Settles said a dance story portraying life under totalitarian rule left a particularly deep impression on him. He noted that he follows such issues closely. “I think I’m a little more tuned in than the average American,” he said. “I’m aware of the … atrocities of the Chinese government against its own people.”

“There was one where a man was holding a banner about his beliefs, and then the authorities came in, beat him, and took his sight,” he recalled. “That’s part of the ugly side of any oppressive government. That really stuck with me.”

Through the performance, Mr. Settles noted a stark contrast between traditional and modern China.

“Modern China is very atheistic and suppresses freedom of expression and artistry,” he said. “But ancient China is full of artistic expression that grew out of thousands of years of tradition.”

“When all people are free to speak, that allows for the exchange of ideas,” he said. “But under some regimes, even owning a Bible could mean death. That’s dangerous and frightening.”