PHILADELPHIA—Ron and Carol Miller had a wonderful view of the stage when they saw Shen Yun Performing Arts, and were captivated by every element of the production.

“Phenomenal,” said Mrs. Miller, a retired insurance executive, after seeing Shen Yun at the Miller Theater on May 11. “The classical movements, the athleticism is amazing. And some of the best visual effects that I’ve ever seen with them coming in and out of the screen. I’m fascinated by that. It’s just absolutely charming.”

Mr. Miller, a retired CPA, was impressed by “the grace of the dancers, the integration of the music and the video, and also the political undercurrent.”

“Fabulous, fabulous,” Mrs. Miller added.  “The colors are great. It’s really, really, really well done.”

Before communism, China was known by names such as “the land of the Divine” or the “Celestial Empire,” as traditional Chinese culture is divinely inspired.

Hilda Allen, a contract specialist, was also in attendance, and by intermission, she called her sister to tell her what she was seeing.

“I told her I was here, and she said, Well, tell me about it. I couldn’t even find words to describe what I was seeing. It is absolutely amazing,” Ms. Allen said. “I love the beautiful color, I like the interpretation, and I especially enjoy when they come out and tell a little bit about the story, about what’s going to happen. And, I can’t get how they do this, go into the screen and then come back out.”

“I have to see it again and again,” she said.