Already a fan of Chinese stories and dramas, Ms. Seeker was delighted to see familiar themes brought to life and expanded upon on stage.

“I like [learning about] the different cultures within China. I think that Americans need to know more about the different dynasties within Chinese culture … it helps to educate them,” she said.

Ms. Seeker especially loved the idea of deities descending from the heavens to “come to the human realm to help out the humans and [with] cultivation.”

“I like how [Shen Yun] shows the heavenly parts—the deities and the mortal realm. I love Chinese culture and their traditional values, the spirituality and the yin and yang,” she said. “I think that’s missing in the world today. We need more of it.”

For millennia, the Chinese people led a deeply spiritual life, viewing their culture as a sacred gift from the heavens. However, under the violent rule of the communist regime and its systematic spread of atheism, China’s rich 5,000-year-old heritage was destroyed.

Though Tim Nettleton, a computer engineer, is less familiar with Chinese culture, he still enjoyed every part of the performance.

“The transition between the live actors to the screen behind [them]—I liked that visual appeal. The jumping was good, the women [dancers’] arms and the way they move together—those were all good,” he said.

“I’m happy that [my wife] liked it. I enjoyed the visual and the colors. When the curtain first come up, and the mist comes floating in—that was really good. That was my first wow.”

Many of the show’s story-based dances highlight the battle between good and evil, emphasizing that those who hold on to what is good and true will prevail despite adversity. Ms. Seeker said this concept resonated deeply with her.

“There’s a lot of good and evil you can turn on the news and see that now. I think families just need a little bit of tradition and need to learn from the past. I love how Chinese culture incorporates [lessons] from the past into everyday life.”

Also enjoying the evening’s performance were Mike Adgie, a chief building engineer, and his wife Sherry.

“I’m just mesmerized. It’s such talent and such a culture and learning about things that I had no idea. The special effects were unbelievable.”

Choosing to sit close to the stage so she wouldn’t miss a single detail, Mrs. Adgie said she could see the performers’ facial expressions and thought they were “just amazing. It’s breathtaking.”

“I’ll be here every year as long as I’m living,” she added.