SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

‘It Gives a Lot of Hope’: Shen Yun’s Classical Chinese Dancers Uplift Theatergoers in Phoenix

Mar 07, 2026

3/7/2026Updated: 3/7/2026

PHOENIX—The artists of the Shen Yun Performing Arts dance company have a way of making their audiences believe that, despite all the things going on in the world, everything’s going to be alright.

Dozens of dancers and a full orchestra, as well as the company’s visual effects crew, left theatergoers at Symphony Hall feeling uplifted after an over two-hour performance on Friday night. All watched as the artists showcased classical Chinese dance.

“It’s about empowerment and people coming together,” said Mayra Martinez, an architectural designer. One of the final segments in the program was “about turning to a higher power to help you get through dark times,” she added.

Shen Yun opens with the tale of creation. A scene from heaven lights up the theater as the Creator leads an entourage of dancers dressed as deities down to Earth to act as players in China’s 5,000-year history.

Based in upstate New York, Shen Yun is unabashed about presenting spirituality onstage. Aiming to show the world “China before communism” and a culture that was “almost lost” in the destructive purges of the Cultural Revolution means reviving the Middle Kingdom’s reverence for spiritual values.

“I think it gives a lot of hope,” Ms. Martinez said. “Especially during these times, we need a lot of hope.”

Meanwhile, Barbie McDaniel, a commercial property manager, adored the lively dance segments. “I think I enjoyed the traditional men dancing the most,” Ms. McDaniel said. “They’re so strong, and actually they’re the most beautiful dancers.”

Tumbling and flipping across the stage, the male dancers of Shen Yun demonstrate the athleticism of classical Chinese dance.

“It just seems very proud, very strong,” she added. “I loved it.”

While highlighting traditional ancient fables, the performance also depicts modern-day China, including stories of religious persecution.

Now 20 years old, Shen Yun was founded by adherents of the Falun Dafa meditation practice who fled China because of persecution and wanted to get their message out after making it to America. While the show is famous for its par excellence artistic presentation and its dazzling production values, the artists’ impassioned message is equally unmistakable.

They’re “standing up for themselves and doing the right thing and taking a stand against communism,” said Scott Williams, a lawyer who also attended. “It’s very beautiful and [we’re] learning some culture and history.”

Reporting by Lily Yu, Jane Yang, and Michael Wing.

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