SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

‘I Was Transported to a Different Time and Place,’ Says Shen Yun Audience Member

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‘I Was Transported to a Different Time and Place,’ Says Shen Yun Audience Member
Jeffrey Burrow (2nd R) enjoyed Shen Yun's matinee at the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater on March 24, 2024. Lily Yu/The Epoch Times
SALT LAKE CITY—Jeffrey Burrow is a subscriber to the Epoch Times, where he regularly comes across advertisements and online videos promoting Shen Yun Performing Arts. Yet, nothing could have prepared him for seeing the matinee in person on March 24 at the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater.

“I’m impressed, very impressed. The show was really almost magical. I felt like I was transported to a different time and place—it’s mesmerizing. I feel like a little child again,” he exclaimed.

In 2006, the New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts was established by a group of leading Chinese artists seeking to revive China’s 5,000 years of traditional culture to its pre-communist glory.

The company has since met with worldwide praise from theatergoers and critics alike. For its 2024 touring season, the performing arts company is scheduled to perform in over 200 cities around the world.

Mr. Burrow especially enjoyed the piece where the dancers’ long sleeves billowed and flowed like the gentle movement of water on stage. According to the company’s website, these sleeves were a part of ancient Chinese feminine attire representing humility and grace.

“I was really impressed with the athleticism and the gracefulness of the dancers. I’m an admirer. I’m going to go home and tell everybody about it,” he said.

In addition to short dance pieces portraying the diverse regions and ethnic groups of China, Shen Yun offers solo performances as well as storyline dances that recount tales from ancient times to the modern day.

Speaking of the artists’ dance piece depicting the Chinese Communist Party’s violent persecution of Falun Gong—a peaceful meditation practice whose followers uphold the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, Mr. Burrow said he is well aware of the situation.

“[It’s been ongoing] for 25 years now. I admire the resilience and the response of the [practitioners] to show their side and their story and to garner support internationally. So, I would like to see, of course, more of this and a return to the tradition and beauty of the past,” he expressed.

“I think we’ve lost so much just with the modern and postmodern deconstructionism of our day. I certainly believe in the divine. I’m very impressed with what [they’re] doing here. Come back again.”

Watching the show, Mr. Burrow said he felt “connected with Chinese culture” and he would love to learn more about it in the future.
He thinks it’s very important for people to come and watch Shen Yun because “we’ve lost our mooring.”

“So much in the world today has distanced ourselves from the divine and from God. We need to return to our heritage and our roots. Family is so important; that’s part of what I think gives real meaning in this life,” he explained.

“Mortal life is so short. We’re only here for a time. So, every decision that we make is important. To lose sight of that is just tragic. Yet, there’s a yearning, a longing, I think, in most of us to reconnect with ourselves and with our past.”

“It’s great to see the young people embrace [Shen Yun.] I’ve lived most of my life, but I see that it’s so difficult for our young people. They need tradition in their lives.”
Reporting by Lily Yu and Jennifer Tseng.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
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