SACRAMENTO, Calif.—After attending Shen Yun, photographer and video editor Jose Villareal praised the production’s technical precision from a professional standpoint, while also gaining a deeper appreciation for the ancient idea that “music precedes medicine,” recognizing the healing power of music.
Mr. Villareal works for a local Spanish-language news channel in Sacramento, where he films and edits video content. A five-time Emmy Award winner in photography and editing, he attended the Shen Yun performance at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center on the evening of March 28, together with his girlfriend.
Reflecting on the experience, he said, “The performance was amazing—it was spectacular, really.” He shared that they had long looked forward to attending, marking the date on their calendar and counting down the days.
“The music was very powerful,” he said. “We could really feel its effect. … We came out of it feeling the effect of the music. I can see what the emcee means by the saying that early forms of medicine was music.”
Mr. Villareal was equally impressed by the choreography and stagecraft. He was astonished by one particular moment when a character turned from old to young in the blink of an eye.
“We had no idea how they did it,” he said. “The transition was so smooth, so well executed—really impressive.”
“Everything had to be precise,” he said. “The effects on the screen—like water or fireworks—matched perfectly with what was happening on stage.”
He added that this level of precision, where all elements align perfectly in timing and position, demonstrated the exceptional execution behind the production.
Among the many story-based dances, one story in particular left a deep impression on Mr. Villareal. It depicts a man who loses his eyesight during persecution but ultimately regains it through a miracle.
“That moment was very touching,” he said. “When he gets his eyesight back at the end—it really stayed with me.”
In today’s complex global climate, Mr. Villareal believes performances like Shen Yun carry meaningful social significance. He pointed to scenes reflecting modern life—where people are absorbed in their phones, and even acts of kindness can become performative—as a commentary on contemporary society.
“It talked about how tradition is important to one’s soul,” he said. “I think that’s meaningful, and people need to hold on to that.”
With a deep sense of appreciation, Mr. Villareal said he would strongly recommend Shen Yun to others.
He added that for someone like himself who has been to China, the performance felt especially authentic and familiar. “The costumes, the music, and the traditional instruments are all very genuine—it really resonates.”
