OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.—Reporter Chase Rutledge and his family enjoyed Shen Yun Performing Arts’ Feb. 8 matinee at the OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater. It was Mr. Rutledge’s second time seeing the performance, and he said he found it even more impressive than he remembered.

“It’s an amazing show. It’s the second time that we’ve seen it, and it just gets better every time,” he said. “We really enjoy it. We'll come back next year.”

“They really tell the story very well without speaking, and that keeps us coming back. Our daughter just loves it so much,” he said.

“I love the way [the artists are] able to put [the performance] together and tell the story. It’s just fascinating,” he said. “I’m sure they all come from different backgrounds, but to come together and to do it, the choreography and everything, so well together is just really, really fun to watch.”

Upon learning this, Mr. Rutledge said it was very unfortunate.

“It’s sad that they’re not able to do this performance in China,” he said. “Doing it here is inspirational to all of us as Americans and to the Chinese-Americans that are here.”

A man of faith, Mr. Rutledge particularly enjoyed Shen Yun’s portrayal of the divine and its message that when people treat one another with kindness, the Creator will come to their aid in times of need.

“The story that they’re telling here tells people that there is hope,” he said.

Shen Yun “portrayed it in a way that made it easy to understand, for everybody to say, ‘Maybe it is important for us to show a little bit more kindness than we do,’” he said. “It’s a good reminder that maybe I could do more.”