Mr. Maiella, an engineer and director of operations for his company, said he liked “the colors, the costumes, the way they use the combination of the live on the stage, the background, the technology,” and said, “It’s very interesting.”

Mrs. Maiella described Shen Yun in one word: “Beautiful.”

Today the communist regime continues to suppress and persecution people of spiritual belief, especially believers of Falun Gong, who are featured in a dance. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice that teaches the three principles of truth, compassion, and tolerance.

This surprised Mr. Maiella. “Yes, I didn’t realize it was so restrictive,” Mr. Maiella said. “It was very interesting that they talked about that. It’s unfortunate.”

He stressed the importance of bringing China’s traditional culture back, which was almost destroyed by the communist regime. Shen Yun is banned from performing in China.

Mr. Maiella said it is “very important [to bring China’s traditional culture back], showing 5,000 years of heritage and their arts and how they progressed. Unfortunately, it’s only provided here.”

The communist regime covers up its crimes against the Chinese people who practice their spiritual beliefs. Shen Yun brings this up on stage and raises awareness through their performances around the world.

Mr. Maiella said that awareness is “very important. I didn’t know it until I came here today.”

He liked that Shen Yun uses the arts to express what happens in China today. “I think it’s easier for people to relate to that. They drop their guard even more, so they’re more receptive to the information,” he said.

Many in the audience are amazed at Shen Yun’s 3D interactive backdrop, where performers seem to jump or fly into other realms.

Mrs. Maiella said, “I like the way they interact with the dancers, that they jump into the film ... That’s really cool.”

Shen Yun’s performers seemed to send out positive energy, which the Maiellas loved. “Very impressive,” Mr. Maiella said.

Before each set, bilingual hosts come on stage to explain and describe the vignette, which the Maiellas also said they appreciated.

Shen Yun aims to revive China’s traditional culture before communism. Mr. Maiella said Shen Yun conveys a message “about gracefulness and beauty.”

Mr. Maiella described the show as “very entertaining and interesting. And it made an awareness of the situation in China.”