ATLANTA—Shen Yun captures the essence of what is good about the past and brings it forward—that’s what David Edwards felt after seeing the show on Jan. 29 at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

“The ancient traditions come to life in a new way, for a new generation that has never seen it,” said the retired vice president of sales, who has worked with hospitals all over the country.

“It’s a beautiful art form that we would never see, and so they’re resurrecting something … and [have] brought it to life for a new generation,” Mr. Edwards said.

The new generation Mr. Edwards referred to includes his grandchildren. He brought them to the performance, along with their mother, his daughter-in-law, Gretchen Edwards.

“We love the colors,” Gretchen explained. “The girls really love the colors.”

Coordinating with costumes is the set: a digital backdrop that might showcase sacred halls and palaces, celestial vistas, ancient battlefields, or picturesque landscapes.

The backdrops offer another, more surprising feature.

“I love it when [the dancers] jump off into the back [of the stage] and then they disappear into the sky. That’s wonderful,” Mr. Edwards said.

The costumes and backdrops adorn and frame Shen Yun’s classical Chinese dancers. Three words to describe the comprehensive system of dance are elegant, athletic, and expressive—so expressive that in any one of the 20 or so pieces performed, the choreography might range from dainty and gentle to powerful and thrilling.

Another family attending the afternoon performance was siblings. Psychologist and psychotherapist Janet Mainor, who is the executive director of the non-profit clinic Link Counseling Center, said she loved the performance.

Her brother, Robert Mainor, Jr., is a retired health and physical education teacher and coach who taught at grades ranging from elementary school to high school. He felt the performance was mesmerizing.

“I think it’s just fascinating—the way the dancers move all in a coordinated way. You can tell they’ve trained very, very diligently. It’s very exciting,” Mr. Mainor said.

“It’s fascinating. It’s just fun to watch and be surprised by the different movements that they can transfer into the screen. And very surprising,” he said.

“Oh, yes, that’s magical. That takes a lot of coordination, but it seems very effortless, Ms. Mainor said.

At the heart of Shen Yun’s mission to revive traditional culture is a meditative practice called Falun Gong. The performers practice daily exercises and try to abide by the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

As a psychologist, Ms. Mainor thought Shen Yun’s spiritual mission was very important, “especially the training they do and the meditation that they do. It seems like a very peaceful pursuit. I think it’s very important.”

She believes upholding tradition is important “because it … adds a foundation to good things in society.”

Mr. Mainor summed up her comment by calling it “the tradition of good,” and his sister tagged on, “Beauty lives.”

In speaking more explicitly about the spiritual depth of the performance, Ms. Mainor said:

“I think that respecting all spiritualities is very important, to cherish that in the world. We all respect each other’s cultures—that’s a very good message.”

Like the Edwardes, “the tradition of good” is being handed down to the next generation. Shen Yun’s message isn’t new to the siblings. Years before, their father, who recently passed away, brought his children to see the company.

For that reason, Ms. Mainor said, “It’s a very special show for us to revisit. Yes.”