SAN FRANCISCO—Audience members at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera house shared their experience after attending Shen Yun Performing Arts at the beginning of 2024.
“It was so much more than I expected,” said Susan Pustilnik, a painter.
“It was incredibly beautiful. Some of the effects that they had, for example, when in the background there would be images of people, and then they would step out and be real people. I mean that was really fascinating—the way they did that,” Ms. Pustilnik said.
Debra Cargile, owner of Deb’s Kitchen, said: “It’s amazing the way they were able to just bring the whole story to life with the music. No words can describe it.”
San Francisco-based photographer Christine Torrington said: “The emotions, the beauty, the sincerity, all the work that went into making it—I was very grateful for the privilege of attending this.”
Established in 2006, the New York-based company has a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. Shen Yun also depicts the ongoing persecution of beliefs carried out by the Chinese regime.
“It was heart-touching, very much. I didn’t expect that, so it was a really deep message that really reminds you we’re all human deep down to our core—and just not forget that. We all want freedom and to be ourselves,” said Lori Hogue, co-owner of Hogue Clinics in Minnesota.
Realtor Serean Kimmel said: “I feel like it’s a really rich culture and a long history and a lot of suffering and strength and hope.”
With approximately 20 pieces in the performance, patrons enjoyed the themes of kindness and hope.
“It was actually very uplifting to hear that that’s the intention of the dance to make you feel hope for the future. It was interesting to feel the bond between the traditional Chinese history and sharing it with our country,” said Kenneth Brem, revenue officer with the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Jim Bellows, a former senior director in the health care industry, took his granddaughter to see Shen Yun.
“It’s really different than anything I’ve experienced before. It’s really fun to see dancing from another culture. People are great dancers and great athletes,” Mr. Bellows said.
“There was one part where I actually started to get a little bit of a tear from it because it just made me—it got my emotions going,” said John Bartley, former president of Bartley & Bartley Insurance Service.
“We all need hope. There are so many aspects to this presentation that show that there is the possibility of hope and kindness, support. All the things that we hope for can happen. This was the kind of presentation that would give people hope,” said Ms. Torrington.
NTD News, California
