NEW YORK—“Incredible energy, a strong presence,” Richard Samuel Ortiz, a senior assistant district attorney in Brooklyn, New York, said after seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts, which he praised for conveying a message of freedom and respect for tradition and human dignity.

He described feeling deeply inspired after watching the performance.

On the afternoon of March 28, Mr. Ortiz attended Shen Yun’s fourth local show in New York City at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. After the performance, he expressed high admiration for the artistry and cultural depth he experienced.

“This performance was elevating, infinitely expansive, and tremendously inspiring,” Mr. Ortiz said enthusiastically.

He added that he could see the performers’ “incredible energy” and their courage to stand by their beliefs. “I think the show represents a message of freedom and liberation, respect for ancient tradition, respect for human rights, and respect for human dignity,” he said.

Mr. Ortiz was especially moved by the traditional values embedded in the performance. He emphasized their relevance to today’s society. “Values guide our behavior. Ultimately, as the ancient Greeks said, what we pursue is cultivating the self and the mind; that is true human pleasure.

“These values have been refined over thousands of years of ancient Chinese culture. This performance is like a great mosaic from the distant past brought to life on stage today,” he said.

However, after the communist takeover and the spread of atheism, this millennium-old civilization was transformed beyond recognition. Traditional values, Mr. Ortiz observed, have nearly been eradicated under communist rule. He believes that Shen Yun plays a crucial role in reviving China’s ancient culture.

“Sometimes in life, it’s a remembering and a forgetting, and coming back to realize that true power is inner power,” he explained. “What’s inside of us comes outside of us. I believe that through education, respect for education, and the diversity of insights, people in China and around the world will do the right thing for our young people.”

Mr. Ortiz emphasized that Shen Yun is already setting an example for educating the younger generation. “I think the arts play a necessary role. Humanities are essential to teaching our children what aspects of human civilization are treasures that must always be preserved,” he said.

Indeed, the CCP has relentlessly sought to erase cultural memory since rising to power, from the ravages of the Cultural Revolution to the suppression of spiritual and faith-based practices.

“What this performance does is it centers and anchors people in respect for culture and respect for the contributions of hundreds of years of generations,” he said. “Every generation has something to offer the world, and I believe this performance demonstrates that beautifully.”