The performance was phenomenal, Kaczmarek said, a retired Chief Operating Officer for Lydian International. “It’s a remarkable presentation.”

“You can see so much dedication goes into performing. The colors, the presentation, the backdrop is just very clever. It’s very enjoyable,” Kaczmarek said.

One instrument that impressed Kaczmarek was the erhu or two-stringed Chinese violin. The erhu has a history of over 4,000 years and conveys a wide range of emotions.

“It’s a unique sound,” Kaczmarek said. “It’s the first time I’ve heard it. [There’s] a lot of skill involved in playing that instrument.”

“I just relaxed and enjoyed it—it was a very pleasant sound,” he said.

Chinese traditional culture was virtually destroyed in mainland China after the Chinese Communist Party came to power in 1949. The party then attempted to eradicate all traces of China’s spiritual roots.

“[One can see] that atheism is rejected, and evolution is also rejected … the presentation emphasizes Divine Creation,” Kaczmarek said of his impression of the performance.

“[Shen Yun] gives one cause to think and rethink one’s values, and I think one can see why the communist party is so much against this show,” he said, adding that his own parents and grandparents had suffered under a communist regime.

Ancient Chinese culture placed enormous importance on virtue—living in accordance with the moral and spiritual values emanating from the influence of Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism in the Middle Kingdom.

“I appreciate the fact that it is portraying the authentic culture of China as opposed to the communist ways that have taken over,” he said.

Rogers enjoyed the contrast in the presentations. “I did like the part that was illustrating how the Falun Gong is persecuted. I felt it was good that the show not only had the fun portions but also the reality of what is going on [in China],” he said.

“So, [Shen Yun is] also making a statement about these persecutions and the things that need to change in China,” Rogers said.

Watching Shen Yun was an eye-opening experience for Amy and Steve Hitsman. It was their 27th wedding anniversary and their daughter bought them tickets to see the Shen Yun.

Amy, who is a nurse, said, “It’s exhilarating, it’s beautiful ... excellent.”

“It was pretty amazing,” Steve, the owner of an air conditioning company, agreed.

“There is more to the world than what you just read,” he added.

“I mean, (just) the ancient history and the practicing of a different belief, like [Falun] Dafa. I didn’t realize you could get killed for practicing [Falun Dafa in China,]”