SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Philadelphia Theatergoer Taken by the Beauty of Shen Yun

Apr 17, 2026

4/17/2026Updated: 4/17/2026

PHILADELPHIA—Robert Didycz and Debra Hobbs saw Shen Yun Performing Arts on April 16, 2026, at Miller Theater.

“The music, the dancing. It’s a sensory overload in every way, and it’s beautiful,” said Ms. Hobbs, a doctor of chiropractic.

Shen Yun, based in New York, is on a mission to present “China before communism” and to revive people’s connection to 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and culture.

“There’s so much to reflect upon with the culture that’s so new to me. I feel very ignorant, and I’m learning so much. And I know over time I’m going to be reflected upon every part of this. But for now, I’m really taken by the beauty,” said Mr. Didycz, a retired public school teacher.

With 5,000 years of history and literature to draw on, Shen Yun can put on an all-new production every year.

“The Chinese seem to be so proud of their heritage and their culture, and it’s a beautiful thing, and I feel very fortunate that they’re willing to share that with us,” Ms. Hobbs said.

The Shen Yun Orchestra, which tours with Shen Yun, is a unique combination of traditional Chinese instruments and a classic Western ensemble.

“I’m really interested in researching some of the traditional instruments I’ve never seen before. They’re all just stellar musicians,” Ms. Hobbs said.

Shen Yun uses classical Chinese dance to tell stories from China’s five millennia. Its dance stories also portray the modern true story of Falun Dafa practitioners being persecuted for their faith in China. Falun Dafa is a peaceful practice that teaches the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

“I think an important part of being an American to me is freedom of faith and not to persecute others for having different faith. And I believe that should be a universal notion. So it is sad to see some of the things that happen with the performance,” Mr. Didycz said.

Ms. Hobbs believes that Americans should strive to understand what is happening in the world.

“It’s terribly important. In general, Americans just don’t know much about what other people go through around the world. And in addition to hoping to change that, they need to appreciate what they have here,” she said.

Reporting by Frank Liang and Maria Han.

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