SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun’s Message Is ‘Refreshing,’ Says Company VP

May 09, 2025

5/9/2025Updated: 5/9/2025

PHILADELPHIA—On May 8, company vice president Paul Gannon, his wife, Rose, and their daughter Joanie attended Shen Yun Performing Arts’ matinee at the Miller Theater. The family was stunned by both the beauty and the message of the performance.

“It was, I think, very enlightening. I thought the dancers were fantastic. I thought the message was refreshing for me to learn. It was great,” Mr. Gannon shared.

“The energy of the dancers, the vibrant colors, the animation in the background—it all comes together very nicely. I feel it.”

Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company dedicated to reviving China’s rich culture, nearly lost under decades of communist rule. Its performances feature a series of short dances highlighting various regions of China, as well as solo musical pieces.

Mrs. Gannon, too, was very impressed by the “production and the costuming, and the talent of the dancers.”

“I’m very deeply affected by the story that it’s China before communism. It’s about our divinity as humans and that it brings in something that has been lost in the current Chinese Communist Party,” she shared.

“It’s just very beautiful, and I’m glad that it can be expressed here. The dancers are divine.”

Ms. Gannon chimed in that “the range of styles of dancing and the costume work was beautiful.” She loved seeing all the different colors and movements. “The way [the dancers] express themselves was really amazing,” she added.

For Mr. Gannon, the most moving part of the performance was the story-based dance shedding light on the ongoing human rights issues in present-day China. He felt deep sympathy for Shen Yun performers persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party.

The message about “the hardships happening today in China [because of] the government and the fact that this production is trying to raise awareness—I thought was very enlightening,” he said.

“I think it’s very sad that they’re not allowed to take their heritage and grow it, and share it, and express it in the current day China.”

Due to the company’s focus on reviving traditional culture and presenting the truth of events under communist rule in present-day China, Shen Yun is currently forbidden by the regime from performing in China.

Summing up the afternoon, the family said they are excited to recommend the performance to all their friends and family.

“I think people should see it. It was a great production,” Mr. Gordon said.

Reporting by Lily Sun and Jennifer Tseng.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.