Retired Theater Critic: Shen Yun Is a Wonderful Experience

Retired Theater Critic: Shen Yun Is a Wonderful Experience
Jeffrey Goodman at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, on March 5, 2026. (Michael Ye/The Epoch Times)

LAS VEGAS—Jeffrey Goodman, a retired Broadway critic, saw Shen Yun Performing Arts at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on March 5.

“This is not like a traditional Broadway show … Shen Yun is a wonderful, wonderful experience. And you will come in not knowing what you are about to see, and you will come out glad that you saw it,” said Mr. Goodman, who was also a computer network designer.

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.

“I loved the show. It was so patterned, it was magnificent,” Mr. Goodman said.

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

“Everything is so in sync. It was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. They float on air when they’re dancing. It’s so great. It really made my heart lift during the show. It just made me feel so good,” Mr. Goodman shared.

Chinese literature, along with Chinese history and legend, is a rich source of inspiration for Shen Yun.

“I loved the stories, and the values that it exudes were wonderful. I specifically loved the Monkey King so much because that was just brilliant and fun to watch. I just thought the stories were terrific. I can’t wait to see it again tomorrow,” Mr. Goodman said.

Shen Yun’s use of its digital backdrop is patented. The versatility of the technology allows the set to change scenes in the blink of an eye, giving the stage endless possibilities.

“The sets, the projections … were magnificent, and how the projections work with the dance. It’s so inventive. And it’s so wonderful,” Mr. Goodman said.

Shen Yun’s singers are trained in bel canto technique, and the digital backdrop provides a translation of the Chinese text being sung.

“I did like that the song [said] if you take away religion, you kind of kill in culture,” Mr. Goodman said, recognizing that the killing of culture is exactly what happened in China during the Cultural Revolution.

The Shen Yun Orchestra, which tours with Shen Yun, is a unique combination of traditional Chinese instruments and a classic Western ensemble. One instrument that shone under the spotlight was the two-stringed erhu.

“I loved the woman who played that instrument. That was so lovely,” Mr. Goodman said.

Reporting by Michael Ye and Maria Han.

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