SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun Is a ‘Gift to the Community, to the World’

Feb 03, 2026

2/3/2026Updated: 2/3/2026

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.—Laurel Kadouri, a general manager of a community, saw Shen Yun Performing Arts on Feb. 2 at Kravis Center for the Performing Arts–Dreyfoos Hall.

“The creative director is magnificent. He’s a genius. From the choreography to his vision, to the music, the composing, his bel canto of the music, everything—I think it’s a marvelous production and it’s a gift to the community, to the world,” Ms. Kadouri said.

Shen Yun, based in New York, is on a mission to present “China before communism,” and revive people’s connection with 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and culture.

“It’s the first time that it’s being explained a little bit more in detail, and the first time I’m really taking time to learn about Chinese history, and it’s inspiring me to learn more,” Ms. Kadouri said.

Shen Yun’s artists are trained in classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world.

“I really have liked all of the pieces, one after the other, from the opening of the new era all the way through to this last piece. Each number has influenced me to want to learn more about the Chinese history of the 5,000 years before communism, and it’s incredible, Ms. Kadouri said. Shen Yun’s website says, “China was once known as ‘The Land of the Divine.’ Ms. Kadouri felt this display of divinely inspired culture to be stunning.

“I do feel the divine essence to it, and I do recognize the ballet and the Chinese movement, but it has that ethereal type of esoteric, ethereal movement in there, and the height of everybody in the clouds. It’s absolutely stunning and spectacular,” she said.

The Shen Yun Orchestra, which tours with Shen Yun, is a unique combination of traditional Chinese instruments and a classic Western ensemble.

“Love the instrumentation and the blending of both the Eastern and the Western. The Chinese music with the dance and the scenery, the costuming, and the lighting—the whole production is fantastic, spectacular,” Ms. Kadouri said.

David Smith and Emily Smith at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at Kravis Center for the Performing Arts–Dreyfoos Hall on Feb. 2, 2026. (Linda Li/The Epoch Times) — David Smith and Emily Smith at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at Kravis Center for the Performing Arts–Dreyfoos Hall on Feb. 2, 2026. Linda Li/The Epoch Times

David Smith, a senior project manager, and his wife, Emily Smith, were also at this matinee performance.

Mr. Smith shared that Shen Yun’s singer left the deepest impression on him.

“That was fantastic, actually. Yes, I really enjoyed that. … I was impressed how it [spoke] of a higher being and creation, as opposed to evolution and atheism, which I thought was really nice. I liked it. … that really was the part that touched me the most,” Mr. Smith said.

Shen Yun’s use of its digital backdrop is patented. The versatility of the technology allows the set to change scenes in the blink of an eye, giving the stage endless possibilities.

“I loved how they incorporated the screen but also the people coming out of it. I love that. I thought that was really fun. And our granddaughter really enjoyed that too,” Ms. Smith shared.

Reporting by NTD, Linda Li, and Maria Han.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.