NEW YORK—Every year, Shen Yun Performing Arts visits prestigious stages in over 100 cities in 20 countries. Its four touring companies bring to life legends and historical events from 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. It highlights in its programs the core values of propriety, compassion, and respect for heaven that have sustained Chinese society for thousands of years but have been all but lost in China today.

At the core of Shen Yun’s performances is classical Chinese dance, one of the most expressive and versatile dance systems in the world. The dancers are accompanied by an orchestra that blends East and West seamlessly, and an animated digital backdrop that effectively extends the stage, bringing audiences to ancient vistas and faraway settings.

Each year when the New York-based performs in Lincoln Center, the atmosphere feels like a homecoming. On Sunday Jan. 18 Shen Yun closed a 12-show run at David H. Koch theater that drew repeat and new patrons alike. Epoch Times followed the performances and captured some audience responses to this year’s all-new program.

What the Audience Has to Say

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006. Full versions of these and other interviews here.

“I think that the bringing together of the Eastern and Western elements is very effective. Very effective. I enjoyed it so much. … I’m a big believer in the power of art to heal people, to help people transcend their differences, their barriers.”
—David Eaton, former music director, New York City Symphony

“It is just an amazing experience here! I mean, the stories are exciting, the dance is very professional, the costumes are beautiful.”
—Stewart F. Lane, six-time Tony Award winner 

“The colors and the designs were just outstanding … It’s a calming, ‘non-New York’ experience. We need that once in a while, you know?”
—Suzanne Pemberton, painter

“It looks like they (the dancers) were flowing through the air! … It’s very exciting to have something like that in New York.”
—Lorraine Kessler, art dealer

“I heard instruments, some [of them] for the first time today, and it was a very eye-opening experience for me.”
—Mehmet Gulay, vice president, The Gülaylar Group 

“The skill, the talent on the stage is jaw-dropping. It’s so graceful. It’s so moving. The emotions it brings out is just incredible.”
—Contessa Brewer, WNBC anchor 

“The basis of the acts and the basis of the entire show—you can apply it into Western culture, Middle Eastern culture, African culture, Russian culture, Chinese culture—it’s the fight of the good and the evil. I believe always, good comes over.”
—Efe Kababulut, CEO, luxury furniture brand Lazzoni

Shen Yun’s upcoming destinations include Hollywood, Boston, Baltimore, and New Orleans.
For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org