STAMFORD, Conn.—Peter Levy saw Shen Yun Performing Arts on May 7, 2026, at The Palace Theatre.

“It was absolutely wonderful. My wife and I believe very strongly in what Shen Yun is doing. I was in China in 1987. I lived there for a whole summer,” shared Mr. Levy, an architect and real estate business owner.

Shen Yun, based in New York, is on a mission to present “China before communism” and to revive people’s connection to 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and culture.

Mr. Levy shared that he had studied in China, and his son also studied there years later.

“But what an amazing culture. The complexity, the diversity, and the history is something that we [at Shen Yun] can learn from. That’s why I enjoy being here and seeing this. But also for other people, I think it’s very important,” he said.

“It’s a little bit of Western choreography along with traditional choreography, which makes it more suitable for American audiences. I think it’s very nice—absolutely marvelous,” Mr. Levy said.

“It’s phenomenal. … The dance represents a myriad of cultural language and ideas. Although we don’t know all the particulars of the culture, I know that it’s embedded with a lot of philosophy,” Mr. Levy said.

“The spirit and renewal of the culture is really uplifting. It’s really marvelous to have something that’s aspirational and inspirational. To give you a sense of what’s special about not only China but also what is American and what we have in common. It’s really remarkable,” Mr. Levy said.

Shen Yun’s website says, “China was once known as “The Land of the Divine.” Mr. Levy saw what he believes to be the connection between all people.

“That is something that ties all of us together. It shows that we all come from the same place. We have a common understanding of our place on earth and what we aspire to. Very powerful,” he said.