SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun’s Message ‘Can’t Be Silenced,’ Says Portland Audience Member

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Shen Yun’s Message ‘Can’t Be Silenced,’ Says Portland Audience Member
Cliff Sullivan enjoyed Shen Yun’s matinee at the Keller Auditorium on Jan. 22, 2023. Mary Zhang/The Epoch Times
PORTLAND, Ore.—Investment advisor Cliff Sullivan has seen Shen Yun billboards for the past 10 years as he went about his life in Portland. Finally, on Jan. 22, he found the opportunity to attend Shen Yun’s matinee performance at the Keller Auditorium.

Speaking on his first impressions, Mr. Sullivan said during intermission that the performance exceeded his expectations. “It is beautiful. It’s a great work of art.”

Having been the only white guy among 13 Chinese friends growing up, Mr. Sullivan is well-versed in Chinese culture. Referring to one of Shen Yun’s story-based dances he said, “I liked the history of the Three Kingdoms. It’s interesting to see it play out from memory.”
Mr. Sullivan also loved the more modern-day aspects of Shen Yun’s story-based dances.

“It carried a great message—especially in light of the oppression of the Chinese people under the communist rule,” he said. “It’s nice to see the light and the spirit in the heart of the people dedicated to bringing decent joy and goodness back into the world where it’s so desperately needed.”

Founded by leading Chinese artists who had fled the persecution of China’s communist regime, Shen Yun Performing Arts’ mission is to bring back China’s lost culture and showcase the beauty of China before communism.

Every year, the New York-based performing arts company presents a brand-new set of programs to audiences in prestigious venues around the world. Though Shen Yun has met with global acclaim since its founding in 2006, it is currently banned by the Chinese Communist Party from performing in China.

Mr. Sullivan thought Shen Yun did a great job bringing the “message [of freedom] to the world through positive entertainment.”

“It’s subtle but meaningful,” Mr. Sullivan said. He could see that the performers deliver this message “not out of adversity, anger, or hatred, but with a desire for freedom—which has been taken away from so many people.”

Though Mr. Sullivan said it’s perhaps too early to talk about his greatest takeaway during intermission, he was very touched by Shen Yun’s modern-day dance depicting a young girl standing up for the freedom of belief.

He thought it was amazing that “those who are under such an oppressive government still have the courage to stand up. This message can’t be silenced. You can’t silence the cry of the human heart for freedom.”

“More people need to look at their life [as] full of courage, hope, and faith—like the girl portrayed in the dance,” he said.

Reporting by Mary Zhang 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.
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