“That is the best example I've ever seen of live performance like that, and it being able to integrate the actors coming in and out of the scenes. And I think it's going to be the future of a lot of stage production, which, instead of using sets that are so difficult to carry around and develop, you can integrate the whole story within the digital animation, and it doesn't hurt the performance of the dancers. I think it helps and helps tell the story better,” said Carlos Rodriguez, owner of Twenty-First Century Studios.
Ray Wager, a retired logistics operator with the U.S. Navy Trident Refit Facility, said: “My wife and I have probably been to maybe four or five performances over the last five or six years. And we always, when you guys come to town, we always try to get down here to see you. Sometimes we can't, but we're always looking forward to it. ... It's just really good, still exciting.”
Theatergoers commented on the display of artistry that Shen Yun put on.
Karen Duhlstine, a retired administrator with Daytona State College, said: “Words can't even describe it. I mean, you have to experience it. So the first thing I'm going to do when this is over is go buy the book that's over there, at the souvenir counter, because I love the pictures and the words in it.”
“I see three common values: the joy of friendship, the love of your brother and your sister, and the excitement the heart gets when it's happy. And it's all in your program. And it's really something that I enjoy, something my wife enjoys, and we brought friends with us this time,” Mr. Wager added.
Edee Dalke, owner of Stroll Ormond Beach Waterfront Magazine, said: “I come from little knowledge about what China used to be, so this was very educational. I have so much more respect now because ... I’ve always been like, ‘I don't like China because it's communist.’ But I didn't consider what it was like prior. So much more respect and a lot of sorrow for the people that can't live their life to the fullest.”
Ellin Iselin, data development coordinator for WJCT Public Media, said: “I think the message is extremely positive. My background is humanities, and I find that this is a culmination of the arts, additionally religion and philosophy. And I was touched by what I learned about dancing, and specifically Chinese classical dancing—the athleticism involved with that. [I'm] extremely impressed.”
“My country, Spain—which is also very ancient country, one of the oldest, the oldest in Europe—is a very spiritual country. But now, with communism coming in, they've really tried to cut down and destroy all the spirituality,” Mr. Rodriguez said. “So I see a lot of similarities in some ways, and I think you should continue your message and make it as powerful as possible, because I think it's helping. It's going to help a lot of people.”
