Shen Yun’s Phoenix Finale Leaves a Lasting Impression

NTD Newsroom
Shen Yun
Shen Yun Performing Arts successfully closed the curtain at the Symphony Hall in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 8, with audience members saying they were mesmerized by the gracefulness of the company’s artistry.

“It was graceful ... mesmerizing and very nice—very must-see,” said Nancy Ariano, who is a business owner.

“I really enjoyed listening to the history as well. It was great. It was probably one of the best shows I’ve ever seen,” said Bonnie Wilgus, a client service manager.

“I just really respect all those dancers, of how much energy and effort they put into everything that they do. It was great, and knowing that they have it from their heart.”

Christopher Potter, who is a business owner, said: “I liked how they would go towards the screen and then disappear and be on the screen and then in reverse come out on the screen. That was done very well.”

Shen Yun aims to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture and values through story-based dance and music. The company's performances also highlight the brutal persecution of faith in modern China under the Chinese Communist Party, which is why it cannot perform inside China today.

“We tend to forget because we live in such a nice, free society. They don’t know that there’s still persecution like that going on. So I think that was important to incorporate that into the play, in addition to the history,” said Mr. Potter.

Jacky Bond, who is a business owner: “I think it’s wonderful. We’re losing so much of all of our cultures, and that’s really the point of becoming a worldwide culture that we can share and enjoy the best parts of everyone’s experiences.”

Ms. Ariano added: “To me, it was just mesmerizing because it showed how they felt about the Chinese culture prior to communism and how they fought through it."

Shen Yun will perform at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in the Muriel Kauffman Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 12 and 13.
NTD News, Phoenix, Arizona

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