TORONTO—Shen Yun Performing Arts captivated audiences at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto with two sold-out shows on March 28. Audience members from Taiwan and Hong Kong were among theatergoers of Chinese descent who were moved and proud to see China’s rich cultural heritage presented on the world stage.

It was the second time seeing the show for former Canadian parliamentary candidate and political commentator Joe Tay. Following the March 28 evening performance, he described the show as “truly stunning.” “The beauty of the performance is beyond words. Shen Yun is remarkable—it touches people on many levels: body, mind, and soul,” he said.

Mr. Tay, formerly a Hong Kong singer and actor, marveled at the dancers’ precision and dedication.

“When we watch the choreography, you notice how exact everything is. The dancers land so lightly, but it’s clear how much effort and heart they’ve put into their training,” he said. “Their full engagement shows me that when people have freedom, they can release incredible potential.”

“The spirituality is the most moving part. Every dance is beautiful, yet it reflects the multiple layers of a person. People are not just living for work or parties,” he said. “The performance connects us to the goodness in life and our inner spirit, inspiring reflection on how to live well and be good people.”

Mr. Tay also noted that the performance provides insight into China’s history prior to communism.

Commenting on the recent bomb threat against Shen Yun’s Mississauga performance, Mr. Tay said: “It’s absurd that such a beautiful performance has to face these threats.” He said, “The regime capable of such terrorism is utterly shameless. This proves Shen Yun is doing the right thing—conveying messages of peace, perseverance, and humanity. Those responsible should be held accountable and their crimes exposed to the world.”

Sheng Xue, a renowned Chinese pro-democracy activist who has followed Shen Yun for over 15 years, was also in the audience on the evening of March 28.

“Shen Yun delivers what people most need,” Ms. Sheng praised. “It presents truth, compassion, and goodness—the things the world needs most.”

She emphasized the significance of exposing the CCP’s attempts to suppress Shen Yun, including hundreds of bomb threats overseas.

“The CCP is a regime that maintains its power through falsehood, evil, ugliness, and darkness. It cannot tolerate truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance,” Ms. Sheng said.

She further noted that Falun Gong’s widespread appeal reflects the powerful resonance of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance—values that the CCP cannot accept.

Ms. Sheng also observed that, from ideology to behavior, the regime has grown increasingly brutal and repressive, even engaging in practices such as forced organ harvesting. “In this brutal persecution, Falun Gong practitioners are facing a life-and-death struggle,” she said.

Shen Yun Performing Arts was founded 20 years ago by a small group of leading Chinese artists who practiced Falun Gong.

“Falun Gong has overpowered the CCP in many areas. Shen Yun in particular has overpowered the regime in culture, the arts, classical traditions, and even in fundamental human values,” she said. “Since the CCP came to power, all artistic performances in China have been controlled by the Party. Anything with even a little influence is subject to control by Chinese consulates abroad. But Shen Yun has truly overpowered them.”

Ms. Sheng added: “The reason the CCP persecutes an arts group, put simply, lies in its own nature—falsehood, evil, and hatred—rooted in its communist ideology. The moment people see Shen Yun and make the comparison, the CCP is exposed—completely laid bare and discredited.” She further noted that “the more the CCP resorts to such blatant tactics to suppress and intimidate, including bomb threats, the more clearly people are able to see its true nature.”

Also in the audience that evening was Aileen Calverley, co-founder and chair of Hong Kong Watch Canada, who said she enjoyed the show very much and highlighted both the artistry and the social impact of Shen Yun.

Ms. Calverley emphasized the importance of the performance in raising awareness of human rights issues. Shen Yun includes artistic depictions of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners among its dance stories.

“The show communicates a serious problem in communist China that many Canadians don’t know about. Through dance and performance, audiences learn about persecution and suppression in China,” she said. “It’s an artistic way to convey a crucial message while also showing the beauty of Chinese tradition and art.”

Ms. Calverley was particularly moved by the scenes showing the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, describing them as “heartbreaking.” “They made me feel that we must do more to help those suffering,” she said.

The highly technical feats of Chinese classical dance also stood out to her.

“When I saw the flips in the second scene, I was so impressed I almost cried—it’s true artistry.”

She praised the performance’s historical and cultural scope. “Shen Yun presents thousands of years of Chinese tradition, including different dynasties and ethnic groups like the Mongols. It revives what was lost under communist rule and introduces audiences to Chinese religious and cultural history, including Buddhism. It’s a wonderful medium to share this with the world.”

Ms. Calverley concluded by offering the artists supportive words of encouragement. “You are doing a fantastic job—your technique, focus, and performance are impressive. I hope your tours continue to succeed, and I will keep coming whenever I can.”