ATLANTA, Georgia—Now that he’s retired from the Marines, the former lieutenant colonel Tom Sullivan has been enjoying, among other things, classical Chinese dancers from Shen Yun Performing Arts portraying “China before communism” onstage.
Sullivan, a now-retired commanding officer of the Infantry, said that moments of Shen Yun touched his heart, speaking in the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre after a performance on Sunday. The New York-based dance company has become known for its refreshing presentation of a culture that was “almost lost” under the current communist regime.
“I like the orchestra with the dance combined,” he told The Epoch Times. “The costumes were good too.”
But while the bright colors and long, flowing sleeves of the heavenly ladies entertain without fail, Sullivan saw something deeper. Shen Yun portrays modern China—and it’s not always a pretty picture.
“The persecution in China is bad,” he said, calling a dance segment portraying the suppression of religious faith under communism “moving.”
Many of Shen Yun’s artists are Falun Gong believers, some of whom even fled persecution while in their homeland. The company portrays segments where Falun Gong practitioners are tormented for their faith, though divine intervention rights the injustices in the end. This content, along with their mission to revive pre-communist values, led to Shen Yun being banned from performing in China.
“I’m glad they’re travelling the U.S. and doing this,” the retired Marine said, “and educating Americans about what’s going on in China.”
Learning About China
Education—that’s what Jim Huse, a former technology leader for Home Depot, said he saw “a lot” of in Shen Yun’s show on Sunday.
“I think this would be a good show when we come back to bring our children,” Mr. Huse said, adding that Shen Yun offers a different perspective on Chinese culture, about how things were long ago and how they are today.
Jim and Sylvia Huse attended Shen Yun at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta on Feb. 1, 2026. Sherry Dong/The Epoch Times
But beyond intellectual stimulation, Shen Yun surprised Mr. Huse with its high production value. In addition to its intricate costumes and live orchestra, Shen Yun is known for its special effect that allows the performers to interact with the animated backdrop on stage. The dancers interact seamlessly with fantastical moving landscapes, flying in the clouds, visiting ancient palaces, even swimming on the seafloor.
“The visual effects—not only the screen but bringing the fog and the music—bringing that all together, it’s really quite a show,” Mr. Huse said. “It was all so nice, so upbeat, uplifting.”
His wife, Sylvia, a stay-at-home home who watched the show with her husband, said the stories all left her with a positive message. The ancient legends Shen Yun retells contain morals that transmit traditional culture, keeping it alive for future generations.
“Kindness,” she said, speaking of what Shen Yun revealed to her. “Do the right thing. Good versus evil. Faith.”
