Theatergoers experienced that culture through a blend of classical Chinese dance, music, and a patented digital backdrop.
Economics commentator Kevin Freeman, the host of Pirate Money Radio on AFR and the show Economic War Room, said, “The story was actually well explained in the dance. It was nice to have the emcees come out and explain a little bit in advance, so you knew what to look for. But I found it fascinating. Dance tells a story, music tells a story, and both were incorporated here beautifully.”
Sharona Gordon, a manager at Geico Insurance, said, “I love the creativity, but what I was most fascinated by is how they blended the screen and the people and the timing for them to drop down and for them to come up in perfect timing and in sync. And I also love that everybody danced at the same time and together, and it was very coordinated, and I was very impressed. So I know it took years of practice and lots of hours and I appreciate the effort that they put in.”
“Unfortunately, nowadays, different opinions, different ideas, and some governments also, they try to fade the culture, specifically the rich cultures from China,” said Fereshteh Heydari, a high school teacher. “These people who are working super hard to show the world something fascinating like this, they cannot perform it in China itself."
She said it is unfortunate that China nowadays has fallen into such a situation that Shen Yun cannot perform there because of the communist regime.
“First, it’s amazing to see the dances that actually look like superb athleticism,” said Vesna Knox, a project manager. “And then the second thing about culture, we as a family are aware and have read a lot about the difference between the traditional history of China and what’s going on now. So we are just hoping that things will change and that the world will become more aware of what China really is.”
“I have written extensively about unrestricted warfare and some of the Chinese Communist Party tactics. But I think the Chinese people are wonderful people. I think the culture is a wonderful culture. And I admire it a good amount,” said Mr. Freeman. “The dance was beautiful. The storytelling was good. I really enjoyed to learn the history. It was wonderful to see China before the influence of the CCP, and just the beauty and the passion that was displayed.”
Each performance draws from themes of spirituality and tradition, values found at the origin of traditional Chinese culture.
Ms. Knox said, “I tell all my friends that this is the performance to see. Sometimes people see the posters, and it kind of looks like Cirque du Soleil. This is much different. This is athleticism at its highest. But there is also a very powerful message behind that.”
Mr. Freeman said, “The music was fabulous. It was entertaining. It was upbeat and positive in its approach. So the music and the dance worked very well together to tell the story.”
