Julie Mantle, a supermarket general manager, said, “It was beyond what I was expecting. Obviously, the integration with the backdrop, and then also the music, the dance, the performances, the outfits were just sensational. It was absolutely outstanding. I wasn’t prepared for just how monumental this performance was.”
“What struck me the most was just when we took ourselves from a communist China to before, I didn’t have a full understanding of the history of the freedoms that the Chinese people were experiencing. And then just what communism meant to China. And then at the end of the day, just to see us and our freedoms, our religious freedoms here in North America," Ms. Mantle said.
"It just really touched me to be part of something that is a movement that is more than just about dance. It’s about freedom for all throughout the world. I brought my 13-year-old son with me today. He’s half Chinese, it’s so impactful for him. He’s never been to China, but for him to understand what his history and culture is so meaningful for us,” she said.
Ms. Mantle’s 13-year-old son, Aiden Mantle-Wang, said, “I think that it’s just so amazing how it started 20 years ago as one company and in New York. And now it’s all across the world, and it’s eight companies. I think it’s an amazing thing that just what it teaches, that was an amazing lesson.
"It just shows that even when people try to suppress the people, the people can always prevail, and they can show in other countries and show what tradition is. That’s what I think is amazing about the acrobats, and that’s what I think of it.”
Children’s book writer Renná Bruce also attended the performance with her son and said the message resonated with the values at the heart of her work.
“The story of the mother and the son really got to me. It was very emotional and very well done. Nobody likes to see their son harmed in any way. And under the hands of anybody, let alone a government. I just love the storytelling in that," she said.
"It came about in a good way; it ended on a good note. But it was just the spirit, the love of the culture, that I really enjoyed. I think that kindness should lead all of us. It should be something in our hearts and something that we take forward in this world, and we share it and pass it along with others.”
Ms. Mantle said, “We’re seeing war throughout the world. We’re seeing individuals still suffering persecution. We’re seeing freedom is being taken away. Salvation through God, our almighty Creator, is the meaning. We really appreciate the fact that this task was taken on and that we’re continuing to take this message throughout the world.”
Audience members encouraged others to see the performance for themselves.
Ms. Bruce said, “I have seen incredible skill, incredible depth of love of the arts. I just love what they’re doing and the history that they’re telling. It’s very, very nice to see. They have generously given us a culture that we maybe did not understand so much. I admire that so much. Go see it. It’s incredible. I’m really glad we came.”
Ms. Mantle said, “Thank you so much for being brave enough to launch this revival and this cause, and thank you to all the actors, actresses, the dancers, the orchestra was absolutely outstanding.”
Aiden said, “I really recommend it. I think learning about international history is very important, because there’s lots and lots of lessons, and just for them to understand what happened to the Chinese people. And then what they’re doing now, I think it’s an amazing story, and I think it needs to be heard.”
