Atlanta Theatergoer: ‘We Enjoyed Every Single Minute’

Jan 30, 2026Shen Yun

ATLANTA—Fernando Vargas and his wife, Gio Vargas, co-owners of a company, saw Shen Yun Performing Arts on Jan. 29 at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

“It's wonderful. We enjoyed every single minute. We're fond of Chinese culture,” Mr. Vargas shared.

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

“It was wonderful, really. It was a connection with not only China, [but] everywhere in the world,” Mr. Vargas said.

Although Shen Yun is sharing the beauty of Chinese culture with the world, Shen Yun is unable to perform in China.

“Hopefully, one day we see a China that is free from that communism,” Mr. Vargas said.

Richard Hicks at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on Jan. 29, 2026. (Sherry Dong/The Epoch Times) — Richard Hicks at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on Jan. 29, 2026. Sherry Dong/The Epoch Times

Richard Hicks, CEO of Inspiredu, was also in the audience this evening.

“I love the inspiration and the storytelling around this show. It takes you back in time with some modernization, and it connects you to your heritage. When you look at the show, you can travel through the aisles of history, and you can see the inspiration, the dark times that go with life, and the light starts to shine in and push out the darkness,” Mr. Hicks said.

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

“I really enjoy the choreography of the dance. The dances are always inspirational, and the way they did the dance touches the soul. I really enjoyed that with the storytelling,” Mr. Hicks said.

With 5,000 years of history and literature to draw from, Shen Yun is able to put on an all-new production every year.

“The originality of shows like this really connects with individuals. Everyone ... at the show tonight was clapping, and they wouldn't be here if they didn't want to experience that sort of closeness with what was being delivered tonight. The dancing, the choreography, the directing, it all was in sync with what people were looking to feel tonight,” Mr. Hicks said.

Mr. Hicks also shared his feeling of being at peace and being immersed into Shen Yun’s performance.

“It delivered peace to your heart because as you hear about the different sections of the show and different titles. You feel a form of peace after every performance. It felt like you were with them as they're performing,” Mr. Hicks said.

Reporting by Sherry Dong and Maria Han.

From The Epoch Times

NTD is a media sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts, covering audience reactions since 2006.