“It's incredible, the dedication, the precision of the dancers, the athletes, just absolutely amazing,” said Michael Porrazzo, a physicist.
“We so enjoy how you take the historical aspects and the modern and you bring them together and really bring light to conditions and situations that really need people's awareness. You did a fantastic job,” Mr. Porrazzo said.
Randy Rosenberger, a math professor, said, “The singing right before intermission was very touching. My wife and I were just moved by her ability to sing almost angelic. So you have a really good experience of feeling God and the Creator.”
“It was traditional Chinese themes and morals,” said Will McPhee, a music teacher.
“A lot of the themes coincided with the same western ideals, the concept of justice, the concept of theology of a divine being, the storytelling. And I thought it was terrific,” Mr. McPhee said.
Chris Bratton, former president of the Republican Club of Rossmoor, said she realized a unique aspect of the dancing.
“I didn't know what Chinese classical dance was, and I can see now it's different from typical gymnastics or ballet. It's beautiful,” Ms. Bratton said.
“There was a couple times even me and my wife looked at each other and go, ‘how'd they do that?’ It was really magical. And it just really brought you into the performance,” Mr. Martin said.
Based in New York, Shen Yun’s mission is to revive authentic traditional culture through dance, storytelling, legends, and music.
Luz Lua, a professor at San Joaquin Delta College and an art teacher at Weber Institute, brought 50 of her students to watch the performance.
“I thought it would be a great experience for my students,” Ms. Lua said.
“We don't have dance in our school. I'm a visual arts teacher, so they're exposed to more visual arts. And when I saw the performance, I thought this would be a great opportunity for them to see something different,” Ms. Lua added.
“The dances were really great,” said one of her students. “I love this so much. I've never seen anything like this.”
“They had the endurance and the stamina to keep going, to keep practicing, to all be in sync, and the music—oh my gosh. It was so perfect,” another student said.
“The way they did it was so smooth, too. The way their body just flows so freely was really wonderful. Loved it. 100%,” Ms. Lua’s student said.
This year, Shen Yun is touring the world with eight equally large companies.
Audience members say its message is one of positivity and hope.
Ms. Bratton said: “Seeing their joy and their athleticism and the beauty of it, that they really promote what they're saying. They believe in the beauty and goodness.”
“I think it's very important to maintain your roots,” Ms. Lua said.
“Your roots are usually from your background, your culture, your historical background, from your parents, grandparents. And I believe that students should be very, very proud of themselves as who they are, and at the same time, learn about what's happening right now,” she said.
“I like the component of connecting the history with the present,” Ms. Lua added.
David Wistrom, a dentist, said he was “really taken by it.”
“It's all encompassing, the artistry, the music, the message, everything about it was just so captivating and so uplifting and positive. It's just beautiful. And really, I think it's just something that everybody should experience,” Mr. Wistrom said.
“Everybody needs to see this show,” Mr. Pfautch said.
“Doesn't matter if you're a Christian, Catholic, whatever it is, you just need to see this. It's so beautiful, and the choreography is so nice. The music is incredible. I just love it,” he said.
Kimberly Roberts, a real estate broker, said the performance was very inspiring to her.
“I just felt like my God, all the gods were speaking to me and giving me great thoughts about hope and faith and how the world can become a better place. It's never too late,” Ms. Roberts said.
