Audience members came from far and wide to watch Shen Yun, which celebrates the beauty of “China before communism” through classical Chinese dance. Coming from Medellin, Colombia, Luis Henao, co-owner of a local transportation company, and his wife, Caroline Rodriguez, a computer engineer, were happy to be here.
Ms. Rodriguez was delighted. “I like it so much,” she said. “I appreciate the culture and the stories about the Chinese.”
Mr. Henao said, “The show actually is fantastic. I like that it’s so colorful. I didn’t know a lot of Chinese culture. I have a lot of Chinese friends, but they’ve never been [aware] of the actual culture. [Shen Yun] is impressive.”
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive and share with the world 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture from before communism. The stories span from light-hearted stories like “How the Monkey King Came to Be” to “The Steadfast Heart,” which shows the evil of organ harvesting by China’s modern communist regime.
Ms. Rodriguez said the stories have lessons for everyone, “They are teaching us how to be good in life.” She marveled at the beauty of the stories and their uplifting messages. She especially liked the story of the Monkey King.
Mr. Henao enjoyed the Mongolian dances performed by both men and women. He liked the dancers’ energy and found it very powerful.
Shen Yun features a live orchestra with both Eastern and Western instruments that accompany the stories on stage. “The actual orchestra is fantastic,” Mr. Henao said. “The sound is very good. It’s excellent.”
An audience favorite is the patented digital backdrop that interacts with the performers as they enter and emerge from magical landscapes.
Mr. Henao said he enjoyed the choreography of the dances. “The timing, it’s perfect. The choreography is just excellent.”
Mr. Henao liked the performances on stage. “I came to see the actual Chinese culture. It’s really good—phenomenal.”
He said once in a while, he takes medication from a traditional Chinese doctor and connects with Chinese culture. “I really think that [the Chinese] have a lot of spirituality in whatever they do.”
