SAN ANTONIO, Texas—On Jan. 13, business owner and registered nurse Arlene Feinigan enjoyed Shen Yun’s second of six shows at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.
“We saw that, and we felt connected when the performance was done. It was really very amazing,” she said.
Since its founding in 2006, the company has received worldwide accolades.
Ms. Feinigan was deeply moved by Shen Yun’s storyline dance depicting a mother’s attempt to have her daughter marry rich, only to find out later that money is not everything.
“In the end, it came out that it’s not all about wealth—it’s the love that matters most. I really loved it because there’s a story and it’s very practical. It gave us a lesson, and we’re reminded that this is reality, this is real life,” she said.
“It was very holistic for me—the performance, dances, grace, love, emotions, and everything—the music was the best.”
Mechanical engineer Jim Smith, who accompanied Ms. Feinigan for the evening, couldn’t agree more.
Mr. Smith loved the cultural experience and thought the whole evening was very memorable and relevant to life.
“That’s one of the things that I was impressed with, that even though this is a very old cultural tradition, you feel it as it is today.”
Ms. Feinigan chimed in that “sometimes we are more [focused] on the material things and forget kindness, generosity, and how to help other people. We are reminded [by Shen Yun that] those are very basic, simple things. It really gave us social relevance.”
“I loved the show. I got more than [the money] that I spent,” she said.
Though this is the duo’s first time attending Shen Yun, they will be coming back next year and recommending it to all their friends and family.
Referring to her own company, Ms. Feinigan said she put her heart into it and brought it to success with the same formula of values she saw in the show.
“Humility, kindness, and generosity—they are synonymous, and I saw that in the show. I feel connected.”
