ROSEMONT, Ill.—Joel Carlsen, vice president for a large financial company, and hair salon owner Lina Carlsen were amazed by Shen Yun at the Rosemont Theatre in Rosemont, Illinois on April 30.

“I loved it. Everything about it from costumes to the music and the performance and colors and history,” said Mrs. Carlsen.

The performance also exceeded Mr. Carlsen’s expectations.

“I didn’t know what to expect coming in … it was an experience that I wasn’t prepared for in a good way,” he said, “it was extremely unique, creative, clever, wonderful, passionate … a spectacular performance.”

Based in New York, Shen Yun Performing Arts is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance company. Along with presenting classical Chinese dance and solo performances, the production depicts story-based pieces that tell tales from ancient times to the modern-day.

“The backdrop it was incredible … very clever. I’ve never seen anything like that before actually. It was perfect timing and every time it happened you just said ‘wow,’” she said.

Along with myths and legends from ancient times, Shen Yun presents story-based dances depicting the persecution of Falun Dafa, a meditation and spiritual discipline based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a persecution against the practice in 1999, and adherents have since been subjected to unprecedented imprisonment, torture, and abuse.

“It brought me to tears actually,” said Mrs. Carlsen.

“I grew up in Lithuania, and it was under Russian control. I know what communism is and how terrifying and scary it is,” she said, “People are still suffering from that.”

“It really opened my eyes to the beauty in the world and the impact of a communist regime and the beauty it can suppress and take away … or hide,” he said.

China was once known as “The Land of the Divine” and Shen Yun presents this culture by drawing upon the Middle Kingdom’s Buddhist and Daoist philosophies.

Reflecting on the values and the inspirational messages throughout the performance, Mrs. Carlsen said: “What I saw was just pure art … it was pure amazing. I want to go home and be a better person.”