Shen Yun Performing Arts graced the stage at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks, California, on April 2 and 3. Audience members were mesmerized by Shen Yun’s artistry, which left them in awe.
“I’m enjoying the show very much. I love the costumes and the dancing and the gymnastics. Very inventful and really nice storytelling,” said Katherine Norland, an actress at Dhar Mann Studios.
“Fantastic acting. Some of the greatest dancers in the world, without a doubt,” said Lyle Coyotl, a talent agent at BBA Talent.
“The dancers and musicians were phenomenal, just absolutely beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes at one point,” said Dennis Downs, the former fire chief of the city of Pasadena.
Shen Yun’s mission is to revive China’s 5,000 years of traditional culture and values from before communism. Theatergoers were touched by the effort and took note of a deeper message.
For Flavio Fiumerodo, the owner of Earthworks Grading & Excavating, Inc., Shen Yun’s performance gave him valuable lessons to take home with him.
“There’s always a lesson, for example, virtue that they’re teaching. Whether it’s compassion, or forgiveness, or maybe being kind,” said Mr. Fiumerodo. “That’s one of the things that I noticed about Shen Yun was that there are these valuable takeaways from the show that help anybody.”
For Eddie Sakaki, a professional photographer, Shen Yun’s performance brought tranquility to the soul.
“It has a very spiritual message to me. It brings a lot of peace and calm to the spirit.”
“It shows that we need to serve others, not just serve ourselves. It’s a good message,” said James Clay Calhoun, the president of Creative Concepts Engineering.
“The message is that only through kindness and compassion can we overcome evil,” said Mr. Coyotl.
“I really liked the lyrics of the song. That was surprising to me. The connection between heaven and what’s stopping us, being earthbound by our thoughts,” said Ms. Norland. “I think a lot more people need the message of hope and Heaven.”
Through dance and music, Shen Yun presents stories ranging from ancient legends to pieces set in modern-day China, earning them high praise from audience members.
“I like it, I hope they continue. It’s really a great performance in a way to promote the culture,” said John Ellis, the executive vice-president of CBRE.
“I like how the culture was translated through the dance and through the music, and I really loved all the costumes and the color. It was just beautiful eye candy, I absolutely loved it,” said Robin Balchen, the owner of Walkabout Ojai.
“I can really appreciate what they’re doing, it’s just phenomenal movement. It’s a delight, it’s an absolute delight,” said Loren Elmer, a former actor.
“It’s beautiful, just first rate. Top notch,” said Mr. Calhoun.
Shen Yun will be performing at the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on April 10 and 11.
NTD News, Thousand Oaks, California
