“It’s beautiful. You need to come see it. It’s definitely worth everything to get here and see it,” said Thomas Brownson, a business owner. “I think it’s fantastic, especially when they move from the screen to the stage. That’s beautiful.”
“Just watching the traditional dancing is just amazing. And those artists are absolutely incredible. Obviously the best at their trade,” said Michael Guevara, an attorney.
“That was just beautiful. And I like the idea that it was thinking that that’s what was going on in heaven,” said Julie Brownson, a company president. “I can’t believe how high they jump, how far they flip, and it flows so well. It’s beautiful.”
Since the Communist Party took power in China in 1949, the regime has sought to break Chinese society’s belief in the divine.
“At my age, the only thing I’ve known out of China is communism. And so when you think of China, you think of Mao Zedong, you think of Tiananmen Square, you think of armies marching down the street,” Mr. Guevara said. “But that is not what this is. They’re talking about the Creator and creation, and the fact that each one of us has divine inside of us.”
In its performance, Shen Yun also brings to light present-day stories of faith and resilience, focusing on the persecution of practitioners of the spiritual discipline Falun Gong and the courage of the Chinese people who are holding on to their beliefs. Because of this, Shen Yun has not been allowed to perform in China.
“It’s sad to think, I’ve read up on this some, that they’ve been threatened while they do this show. Some have lost their homes or attacked. I don’t remember, but a lot of persecution going on right here, that commun[ism] is following them here because of the show,” said Ms. Brownson.
“This is an inspiration for a lot of kids, a lot of different people in the world,” said Glaucia Mansour, a business owner.
“I think it was beautiful. I think they did a fantastic job. It really illustrates what’s going on and how it brings everything together,” said Mr. Brownson.
Mr. Guevara said: “I appreciate the way that you are fighting for this and even putting your lives on the line, losing your families and everything. I just can’t imagine what that feels like, but don’t quit. Keep it going, because you’re reaching people.”
NTD is a media sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts, covering audience reactions since 2006.
