Shen Yun is “something very elevating for the spirit,” former wealth manager and estate planner Bob La Chance said.

Mr. McElroy said he loves the energy. “Plus, you can very much see what they’re dancing about, which is very, very cool.”

Jessica Neamtu, a former international speed skater who is now studying cell and molecular biology, deeply appreciated experiencing Shen Yun. “It was so elegant. I was in awe,” Ms. Neamtu said.

“I really liked the special effects. I was like, ‘What happened? How did they do that?’ So they kept me at the edge of my seat. It was beautiful,” she said.

Gisselle Herrera, superintendent of the Tolleson Elementary School District, came with a group of female educators.

“There is just such a variety of dances and emotions that were portrayed by the dancers across the evening,” Ms. Herrera said.

“I think that this is exactly what the world needs, more beauty and art,” Ms. Herrera said. “So absolutely, I think it’s a wonderful effort.”

“It helped open a different world to me,” Ms. Neamtu said.

“The story about the persecution that was happening, that really moved me. That one and the one with the Monkey King, I’m like, ‘I need to, I need to start reading Chinese literature more.’”

Kip Rudio, a consultant in the healthcare field, said, “There were really great stories, especially for being told with no words.”

“I enjoyed them very much. I find them very relevant, even today,” Mr. Rudio added.

“It really brings little shivers up my spine,” pharmacist Kyle Palmateer said, “listening to the singers hit those really, really high notes, but to still be able to project their voices.”

“Made me feel like I was in heaven,” auditor Raven Bolton said. “That’s what it sounds like.”

Ms. Bolton attended with copywriter Alec Kuehnle. “The power of their voices, the way they were both able to command the entire hall,” Mr. Kuehnle said of the two bel canto singers. “For each of them, they’re both unique in their own way also.”

“It was beautiful, marvelous. Far beyond just a dance show and a glorious show of cultural backgrounds,” Mr. La Chance said.