HOUSTON—When Bob Kulpinski’s coworkers found out he was seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts, a number of them asked him to make sure to tell them what he thought afterward. He had gotten tickets as a Christmas present for his wife, who had been wanting to see Shen Yun for almost five years—and she loved it.

“It was cultural, it was political, it was spiritual, it was artistic, well choreographed, and entertaining,” Mr. Kulpinski said. “I think the messaging is universal, in terms of man’s search for a larger Creator, God.”

Mr. Kulpinski could feel the hearts of the performers as he watched from the orchestra level.

“They truly love what they do and they take it very seriously and they represent the country and the culture very well,” he said. “I think the West would love to embrace [a China without communism].”

Also in the audience was Jhanvi Thakar, broker and former journalist, with a party of nine.

“I watched the show four years back in Houston ... this is just completely different because I watched it five years ago,” she said. “It’s just amazing how much variety they bring to keep the audience captivated ... I was on my toes all the time. The two hours that I was in my seat, it was music to the soul but it was a feast for the eyes.”

Ms. Thakar greatly respected the legacy of spirituality in traditional Chinese culture, which reminded her of her own Indian heritage.

“We are very spiritual, and what I could resonate and relate to, we learned it from our grandfather, great-grandfather,” she said.

“Yes, times are evolving, we’re in a different world, but what they said, divinity does not disappear. If you’re kind, and you’re good, it comes back to you.”

“It has a meaning to it, it just rejuvenates. It cleanses your soul,” she said.

“Nature will take its course, right? Things will happen. Earthquakes, natural disasters—we cannot control that. But what I understood is we can control what is in our hands, and that is keeping our traditions alive and following them so that the world will be a better place for our kids,” she said.

“I would really applaud their perseverance and commitment because this requires so much dedication ... it’s not just the steps and the talent, it’s really the synchronization of the mind, body, and soul,” she said. It was more than dance, it was a combination of everything, she said. “I really commend them for their dedication.”