By the end of the night, however, he was deeply impressed by the rich and diverse beauty displayed on stage.

“It’s very interesting. I didn’t realize there was so much talent involved and so much—different ethnic background,” he said.

“I wish I had half of that energy,” he said. “They remind me of my grandkids. Lots of energy. Very, very, and it’s very interesting to see that they all kind of gel together [and synchronize.] It’s very, very beautiful.”

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts was founded by elite Chinese artists who had fled the persecution of the communist party.

For 5,000 years, China’s civilization flourished under the shared belief that the divine will bless those who uphold traditional moral values. Tragically, within just a few decades of the communist party’s violent takeover, these beliefs were erased and replaced with atheism.

The artists’ goal is to return to the world’s stage the glory and beauty of China’s 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture.

“It’s wonderful to realize that they’re trying so hard to emphasize the beauty of their country, the beauty of their history, and to bring it back to focus again,” he said.

“I think most of the world just accepts the communist attitudes that are out there. [It’s amazing] to realize that there are so many people, probably still in the country even, and outside the country that wish it was different, more like it was in the old days.”

He was deeply touched by Shen Yun’s portrayal of faith, hope, and courage.

“[I’m] very, very moved,” Mr. Perkins said, “to realize that there is so much emotion, so much trust, so much faith in what we call God in the country and still in the people themselves—it’s very moving.”

Since Shen Yun’s establishment in 2006, the company has earned widespread acclaim. Each year, the artists present a brand-new set of choreography and musical compositions, ensuring that both new and returning audience members are always in for a surprise.