SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Theatergoer Says Shen Yun Is Bigger Than Life

Apr 30, 2026

4/30/2026Updated: 4/30/2026

NEWARK, N.J.—Greg Kolibas and Janet Kolibas saw Shen Yun Performing Arts on April 29, 2026, at New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

“The dance, acrobatics, and the colors are amazing, and it’s a wonderful story,” said Ms. Kolibas, who is retired.

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. Kolibas, vice-president of his own company, was impressed with “The vastness” of the performance. He shared that on a stage, Shen Yun was “bigger than life.”

Shen Yun’s artists are trained in classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world.

“A lot of energy, high energy, and good acrobatics. Excellent,” Mr. Kolibas said.

Aside from classical Chinese dance, Shen Yun’s artists are also trained in various ethnic and folk dance styles.

Mr. Kolibas shared that he enjoyed the Mongolian dance.

He was also impressed with the “Ladies Manchurian Ethnic Dance,” which featured the traditional flowerpot shoes worn by court ladies during the Qing dynasty.

Shen Yun uses classical Chinese dance to tell stories from China’s five millennia. Its dance stories also portray the modern true story of Falun Dafa practitioners being persecuted for their faith in China. Falun Dafa is a peaceful practice that teaches the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

“I like their history of freedom, and unfortunately [China] no longer [has it]. But I just like the way they tell the story that most people don’t know,” Mr. Kolibas said.

Shen Yun’s use of its digital backdrop is patented. The versatility of the technology allows the set to change scenes in the blink of an eye, giving the stage endless possibilities.

“I love the digital part, too, which was pretty amazing the way they timed it,” Mr. Kolibas said.

The Shen Yun Orchestra, which tours with Shen Yun, is a unique combination of traditional Chinese instruments and a classic Western ensemble.

Mr. Kolibas said that the orchestra sounded beautiful. He took time during intermission to look into the orchestra pit.

Shen Yun’s singers are trained in bel canto technique, and the digital backdrop provides a translation of the Chinese text being sung.

“He was so passionate. It was amazing. It was very touching,” Ms. Kolibas said about Shen Yun’s tenor.

Reporting by Frank Liang and Maria Han.

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