METAIRIE, La.—Kerry Allen, a painter, brought her mother, Laura, to see Shen Yun Performing Arts on Jan. 14 at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center.

“It was beautiful. Mesmerizing. I was telling my mother, I love how they could tell a story without words, but you knew what they were saying,” Ms. Allen said.

“I think that they were expressing their love of freedom. I’m glad that they have the freedom here to be able to say those things because obviously they don’t have that freedom [in China],” Ms. Allen said.

“It’s a little eye-opening. It’s good to be reminded of what other people have to deal with and what other people have to face. I appreciate what I have, but it does kind of help me appreciate it more,” she said.

“I love the fact that they use such beautiful fabrics. And I noticed some complementary colors, the blues and the oranges, the purples and the greens, together. It was very harmonious. … Whoever designed the costumes—very talented because not only were they colorful, but they helped tell the story,” Ms. Allen said.

“The music was beautiful. That orchestra was wonderful. I heard instruments that I don’t ever hear,” Laura said.

“That was beautiful. That was amazing, with two strings—she made all these beautiful sounds. Really amazing,” Ms. Allen said.

“Beautiful. My husband’s a singer too, so I really appreciate the voices and the piano. … That young girl that sang that last song, her voice was beautiful,” Ms. Allen praised.