SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun ‘Is Extraordinary to My Heart. It’s a Passion of My Soul,’ Says Actor

Feb 01, 2023

MODESTO, Calif.—Actor and thespian Dave Storm had waited for Shen Yun’s arrival for a long time. “I wanted to see the performance because I knew the [programs] change, it’s never the same. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend last time and I was very distraught about it.”

Finally, on Feb. 1, he got his opportunity to see Shen Yun’s matinee at the Gallo Center for the Arts. The performance was definitely worth his wait.

“It was fantastic. I was in tears. The opening was extraordinary,” he said. “The energy levels are just unparalleled. They’re unmatched anywhere.”

Shen Yun Performing Arts was founded in 2006 by New York-based artists who dreamt of reviving and sharing with the world China’s 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture. Its eight equally-sized companies are slated to visit more than 180 cities this year.

Having grown up practicing martial arts and tai chi, Mr. Storm was surprised to learn that they share the same roots as classical Chinese dance.

“I truly have a different perspective about that now,” he said. “There are a lot of things [I didn’t] know that led all the way back to classical Chinese dance. I was blown away by every single performance.”

Following the 1949 communist takeover, Chinese traditional culture was systematically eradicated by the ruling regime. According to the company’s website, Shen Yun returns each year with a brand-new set of programs that showcases the beauty of “China before communism.”

While awaiting Shen Yun’s return to Modesto, Mr. Storm read up extensively on the company’s story and he had “some really strong emotions about what is happening in China.” He believed that the show is a release for the artists after enduring persecution at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.

I can’t even say it’s one show—there are so many different emotions in each program and the level is just absolutely incredible.

— Dave Storm

“It’s an amazing show,” he said emphatically. “I can’t even say it’s one show—there are so many different emotions in each program and the level is just absolutely incredible.”

“I urge anyone who has never seen anything so spectacular in the United States or anywhere else in the world to see it.”

Mr. Storm also has an upcoming performance at the Gallo Center for the Arts and he said Shen Yun artists’ expressivity is what he will be taking away to incorporate in his own acting.

“[As performers] we can take that same color, in a sense, and pass it on to the next people that comes to view [our show],” he reflected. “It’s an amazing feeling.”

Mr. Storm wanted to tell Shen Yun performers, “you guys are absolutely extraordinary and you had me in tears in every scene. The way you make me feel inside is just extraordinary and I’ll never forget that.”

“Everybody needs to see this at least one time. This is definitely a bucket list thing. I’ll be back again to see this performance. It’s extraordinary to my heart. It’s a passion of my soul. Thank you so much,” he said.

Reporting by NTD 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.