Miss Planet Italy Praises Shen Yun’s Creative Design and Cultural Depth

NTD Newsroom
Shen Yun
Shen Yun Performing Arts closed the curtain in McCallen, Texas, at the McAllen Performing Arts Center on Feb. 22. Audience members praised the performers’ artistry and overall presentation.

Christina Prado, Miss Planet Italy 2025, said, “Very interesting. It’s my first time here watching the show. I’m learning a lot about the culture of China. The costumes are incredible and amazing. I love it. I studied fashion design. For that reason, I appreciate the design better. It’s so creative. So interesting. The colors perfectly match the background and the music.”

“I loved it. I’ve been wanting to come for years. All the performances are beautiful. And I love the orchestra,” said Karina Salceda, a retired U.S. Navy counselor.

John Torres, a former company supervisor, said, “The orchestra was awesome. Everything was awesome. The music, the piano, the solos. Everything was set up very nicely, programmed very nicely.”

“I really liked that last one where she had the instrument ... the two-string instrument,” said Mary Ann Flores, a retired teacher.

Shen Yun‘s mission is to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture from before communism, through classical Chinese dance and music. However, Shen Yun currently cannot perform in China, due to the communist regime’s brutal persecution of faith.

Ms. Prado said, “I think it’s so important to continue to promote the real traditions of China, because you can learn so much about it and appreciate all the beauty of true China. It’s amazing. I love it. Every move in history looks not only like an interpretation. It looks real. For that reason, it makes me feel like I’m in the situation.”

Ms. Salceda said, “It saddens me that you can’t perform in China. But I think it’s amazing that you’re able to show the world what it’s all about and turn it into comedy or, in some cases, something sad.”

Mr. Torres said, “It taught me a lot. I was very surprised. Everything was very professional, and that’s what I like about it.”

Ms. Prado said, “I love all the concepts. They are incredible. So realistic. The movement is so fast. The changes. You can see them go to the back and then come back so easily, so fast. The dancers. Incredible.”

The performance also features solo performances from Chinese vocalists, with audience members praising the message behind the lyrics.

Mr. Torres said, “The wording that was there in English meant a lot. If people understand, if the younger generation understands what that means, it’s a lot compared to nowadays.”

Ms. Salceda said, “The opera singer was really a soprano. I thought it was beautiful. Both the male and the female were awesome. They need to continue doing what they’re doing, and I think it’s beautiful. I would definitely come to another show.”

Shen Yun will be performing in Birmingham, Alabama, from Feb. 28 through March 1.
NTD News, McAllen, Texas

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