“Without a doubt, very precise. Pristine, wonderful voice. No doubt about it,” said Mr. Pyatt.
Chris Norlund, a former police chief with the Presidio of Monterey, enjoyed the accompanying piano as well as the singer.
“The singing from the soloist—the Soprano was very good. I love the piano playing,” said Mr. Norlund.
“I loved every minute. I loved the glamour of it, the beautiful costumes, and sparkles. Phenomenal dancing,” said Mrs. Cross.
She watched Shen Yun with her husband, a retired dance instructor, who called the performance unbelievable.
Michael Cross said, “The stage, the costumes. You can just tell the dancers are so well trained, and they are so disciplined. How they can just perform everything just so in sync.”
As the world's premier classical Chinese dance company, Shen Yun has a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture, drawing upon its 5,000 years of history.
“I think it’s a wonderful cause, and I think these people here are tradition-personified,” said Mr. Pyatt. “These Chinese dances are just phenomenal.”
Thomas Bryant, a retired managing director at an investment firm said he experienced much joy.
“It’s a glimpse into a culture that I’ve never been exposed to,” he said.
Mrs. Cross said, “I can see how modern dance has evolved from that and learned from it. It’s amazing that it’s such an ancient dance form.”
Mr. Norlund said, “Very nice story about enlightenment. Peace coming to your soul, and peace coming to your community.”
The New York-based Shen Yun was founded in 2006 by elite Chinese artists who had fled the persecution of the communist party.
“The fact that they can’t do this performance in China, and that’s shocking to me,” said Mr. Norlund. “This is a wonderful show that everyone should see. I hope that they can sometime.”
Mr. Cross said “I looked at my wife and I said ‘I wish we brought our daughter to this one,’ but she is going to the next one. I guarantee you.”
“Take the time. Go see it. You won’t be disappointed. You really won’t,” he said.
