SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

‘Greatest Show Ever,’ Texas Audience Member Says of Shen Yun

Feb 15, 2026

2/15/2026Updated: 2/15/2026

HOUSTON—Scott McCracken, retired sales rep for Balon Corporation, bought his wife, Marcia, a retired nurse, tickets to see Shen Yun Performing Arts on Valentine’s Day at the CFISD Visual and Performing Arts Center.

“This was the greatest show ever … the best I’ve ever seen,” Mrs. McCracken said.

“We’re going to go every year now,” she added.

“She had no idea what to expect, and I really did not either,” Mr. McCracken said. “We were very, very happy.”

Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s leading classical Chinese dance production. Featuring a live orchestra that blends Eastern and Western instrumentation and authentic classical Chinese dance that has been passed down through antiquity, Shen Yun presents story-based dances that span 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture.

Mr. McCracken called the performance a “spiritual event,” and he was very delighted by the moral principles of China’s traditional culture. According to Shen Yun, the culture they present represents “China before communism.”

“The divine dance … is so uplifting,” he said. “It’s such good principles that are being represented here.”

“Ancient principles and good solid principles are important,” he added. “[And] to see more about the Chinese culture before communism … that’s important.”

China was once known as “The Land of the Divine,” and Shen Yun presents this ancient culture that was built upon Buddhist and Daoist philosophies. As such, the performance often includes spiritually uplifting messages.

According to the company’s website, the performance consists of 20 pieces that move “from one legend, region, or dynasty to the next.” The presented heroes in the story-based dances embody the most exalted virtues of Chinese civilization and convey morals that are still relevant.

“It was so meaningful,” Mrs. McCracken said. “We believe a lot of the same things … compassion, kindness, love.

“I wish China was like that now; I would love to go visit if it was,” she added.

Since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006, the company has grown from one to eight equally large companies that tour the world simultaneously. Despite all of the countries and cities where Shen Yun has performed, they are still not allowed in China. Meanwhile, outside of China, Shen Yun has sparked a cultural renaissance.

Mrs. McCracken couldn’t exclaim enough about how much she loved the performance and looks forward to buying tickets for her 9-year-old granddaughter, who is currently studying at a Chinese immersion elementary school.

“This was the best, the best, the best … of any show ever,” she said.

“I’m going to recommend it to everyone. And we’re going to buy tickets for my granddaughter and my oldest daughter to take her in Utah,” she added.

“You don’t know what you’re going to see until you see it, and you will enjoy it,” Mr. McCracken said. “You'll enjoy the dance, the culture, [and] the good message.”

“Very enlightening,” he added.

Reporting by Sonia Wu and Jennifer Schneider.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.