“I think it’s a wonderful performance and there is a lot of energy. [The dancers] are fantastic, the choreography is great, [and] the colors are awesome,” said Michael Westphal, a production manager.

The pandemic has affected the way many people live their lives, and Shen Yun is an opportunity for a realignment of perceptions.

“It is good to come out and see [Shen Yun]—get out and see the fresh air, be with people again. I’m having a good time,” he said.

Shen Yun is reviving traditional Chinese culture as it was in the pre-communist era. Authentic classical Chinese dance, ethnic and folk dances, and traditional music relay the cherished stories and history of China’s glorious, 5,000-year-old civilization.

Mr. Westphal fell in love with the orchestra.

“You hear [it], and it’s so perfectly choreographed that you can’t even tell there’s [an orchestra] playing down there. But they’re live, real musicians and it’s wonderful,” he said.

Among its dances, Shen Yun portrays the persecution of the spiritual group Falun Dafa in present-day China. Falun Dafa draws its roots from China’s ancient spiritual culture and is based on values such as truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

“I think we shouldn’t be in a shell. I think we should know what’s going on in the world. As [the United States is] a world leader, we should know what’s going on in the world,” he said.

Although he felt the persecution is sad and that it’s wrong for regimes to treat the people badly with impunity, the performance, he felt, was uplifting.

Michael Danniballe, a director of operations for a manufacturing company with his wife, Helen Cepeda, a cardiac sonographer, was also in the audience.

Shen Yun was fantastic and was bringing a message of hope, Mr. Danniballe said.

“To be able to get together, get back as a crowd to support a [performance] …  to be able to share what they’re willing to share ... is very important.”

“Learning about the culture, the dances, [and] the music’s very good. Very entertaining. We’ve been waiting to see [Shen Yun] for two years, but because of COVID … So, we’re happy we’re finally getting our opportunity.”

He was impressed by the entirety of the performance.

In fact, it was impossible to prefer one individual performance over another, he said.

“They all have their own significance and meaning [to] them. It’s really neat to learn about it.”

Ms. Cepeda was impressed by the mini-drama “Insanity During the End Days,” which portrays a father who is faced with a moral and emotional dilemma.

“It was beautiful and very touching,” she said.

The couple’s one regret was that they had not brought their four children with them.

“It gives you a whole different perspective about thousands of years of history.”