SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun ‘Captured Your Attention From Start to Finish,’ Says Pennsylvania State Representative

Apr 16, 2026

4/16/2026Updated: 4/16/2026

PHILADELPHIA—On April 15, Pennsylvania State Representative Anthony Bellmon attended Shen Yun Performing Arts for the first time at the Miller Theater. Having seen its commercials for years, he was excited to finally experience it in person.

“I love the show. … I had a wonderful time tonight,” he said. “The combination of classical Chinese dance with modern technology—I love the 3D projection. I love the projection mapping and the use of digital animation all at the same time.”

“All of it combined just really made for a great show that really captured your attention from start to finish.”

Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company.

Its production is composed of a series of short pieces that take its audience on a ride through the dynasties and across the vast regions of China. Using classical Chinese, folk, and ethnic dances, as well as solo musical performances, the artists tell tales from ancient times to the modern day.

According to the company’s website, Shen Yun’s patented 3D digital technology works together with the performers to “extend the stage to infinite realms” and brings to its audience “storytelling without limits.”

Mr. Bellmon was thrilled to experience the richness and vibrancy of traditional Chinese culture.

“Tonight, for me, was really about experiencing the culture and really getting the chance to [understand] the entire history. 5,000 years’ worth of history wrapped up in two hours of dance and music. It was a phenomenal show,” he stated.

“From the dress, the dance, the language, [to] the instruments that were portrayed tonight, it was fantastic. For people who might not know a lot about Chinese culture, it was a great introduction but also a great storytelling message from start to finish.”

Reflecting on Shen Yun’s story-based dances spanning ancient legends to modern-day scenes, Mr. Bellmon said they conveyed “a message of hope.” He also appreciated the production’s spiritual dimension and the depiction of traditional moral values.

“It was a spiritual message, but also a message about modern times. We went from ancient China to young people on social media, all in the same two hours,” he said. “It was a message for people from all ages that they could take something away from tonight, about how to be better people.”

“It’s a universal message that you can find in all cultures. Tonight, [the performance] reiterated that if you do good, you will reap what you sow. I love that, and I think that is a message that everybody can really identify with, and maybe that people can learn from [it] to make sure that we have a great society.”

Mr. Bellmon commended the performers for their dedication.

“I think the performers did an excellent job. It showed [their] dedication, the time that it took to learn the dancing, to learn the synchronization, but also to put on an excellent show,” he expressed.

“They moved in unison, and they really told the story. [There] wasn’t a lot of talking in the show either, it was all through dance and through digital animation that they conveyed stories about a culture that has a rich history stretching over 5,000 years.”

He strongly recommends Shen Yun to those who have not yet seen it.

“If you want a phenomenal show, about learning about a different culture, and being able to see some awesome dancing with modern technology, this is the show for you,” Mr. Bellmon said.

“I’m glad that it’s here in Pennsylvania. I would totally recommend this to anybody who wants a fantastic night in downtown Philadelphia, to really enjoy themselves.”