PHOENIX, Ariz.—William and Brenda Fargo, who both work in casino management, enjoyed traditional Chinese culture presented in Symphony Hall by Shen Yun Performing Arts on March 6. The Fargos had waited several seasons to see the show.

Mr. Fargo said they waited “two years. We tried to get tickets last year, but we couldn’t get tickets because we booked too late. So this year, I bought the tickets months ago.”

Mrs. Fargo said this year they got tickets “front and center,” and it paid off. She described Shen Yun as a “beautiful show. Very beautiful. It was worth the two-year wait.”

“I am loving the costumes, which are beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,” she said.

“Everything is very colorful and very artistic, and I feel like I’m learning a little bit about the culture, as well. So it’s been very entertaining,” Mr. Fargo said.

Mr. Fargo said he became aware of this during the performance. “There’s a lot of oppression of traditional Chinese values. I didn’t realize that people were being arrested and things like that were happening.”

“Just because of their faith. That’s shocking,” Mrs. Fargo said. She was most touched by the dance where this is happening: “The fact that they get arrested just for believing in a certain faith and practicing that faith.”

“I didn’t realize that they trained in New York,” Mr. Fargo said. “That was surprising to me. For some reason, I thought the performers all came from China. Maybe they do come from China, but I thought they did their training in China, but apparently, that would not be allowed. So that was very enlightening.”

“I’m learning a lot. I’m learning a lot about their faith and the fact that they can’t even have this show in China. I can’t comprehend that. I cannot comprehend that,” Mrs. Fargo said.

Mrs. Fargo said her family urged the couple to see Shen Yun because of its spiritual themes.

“Yes. we almost didn’t come today because my mom is home in her deathbed right now. ... But the [family] wanted me to come because it is such a religious and touching experience.”

To the performers, Mrs. Fargo expressed encouragement: “Beautiful. Keep up the good work. Keep practicing your faith. And never give up. Never give up.”