Norma Jean McVey, an actress, said, “I have never seen anything like this before. I thought it was just beautiful. The pictures don’t do it justice. And to see it live and to hear the music, it was just fantastic from start to finish. I was just glued.”

“The artistry is pretty incredible. The first time I saw this, I was like, ‘Oh, this is great,’” entrepreneur Vining Reynolds said. “It’s definitely enjoyable. But once you realize the tale of humanity that’s being told in front of you—it’s one of hope, it’s one of blessing and perseverance—you start to see the beauty in the stories that they’re telling, even something as simple as some of the humor that'll kind of make you chuckle.”

“Every scene is just amazing,” jewelry designer Valerie Oyer said.

“What I really enjoy is the being bold about what the point is for the message on communist China—and how going back to traditional values and respect for people and religion and that aspect of it being portrayed here—that story was what was really powerful to me,” said Vaughn McVey, a technology project manager.

Laurie Oyer, an HR professional, said, “I had a different impression of what was thought about in that realm, in China. And this gave me a whole new impression. It’s a good feeling in your heart. It’s something beautiful from above.”

Each year, Shen Yun creates an all-new program, with new dances, music, and animated backdrops. Audience members commented on Shen Yun’s creative use of a patented digital backdrop.

“That is a fantastic display, blending the live performances of the actors and actresses, and as they come in and as it moves through. It helps tell the story, and being able to just quickly change the background and change the set from a small town or a small village to a large city and back and forth, it really helps make the story,” Mr. McVey said.

“This is perfect,” Mr. Reynolds said. “It just completely opened up the mindscape for what you’re trying to create, the tapestry, everything that’s being illustrated in front of you just expands, like tenfold. Beautiful, really brilliant.”

“I love it, and we have my grandson, and he loves the actors and dancers jumping through the screen. It’s great for young kids,” Ms. Oyer said.

“[The] young generation is finally starting to wake up, which is miraculous, but they’re starting to feel, ‘Okay, we’re missing God,’” Mr. Reynolds said. “They’re starting to educate themselves on what happened. And they’re starting to understand that they’ve got a fight on their hands. They’ve been at war. And they’ve had ignorant indoctrination since they were in junior high, high school, into college. They’re starting to reject all that. They’re coming back to God, what’s real, what’s natural, what He created.”

Shen Yun’s unique orchestra is a blend of Eastern and Western instruments, combining the grandeur of Western symphonic music with the distinctive character of traditional Chinese instruments. Audience members were especially captivated by the erhu performances.

“Erhu, that was beautiful. I have heard that sound before but never seen it played and that was just mesmerizing. I love that part so much,” Ms. McVey said. “It’s a beautiful instrument, and I think there’s a feeling that comes with that, that just brings you joy and happiness and connection.”