SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun Shows That ‘There Is Hope Despite the Troubled Times’: Attorney

Feb 09, 2023

RENO, Nev.—Attorney Bruce Hahn and his wife, Karen, couldn’t be more ecstatic when they discovered that Shen Yun is hosting two performances at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts in its 2023 touring season.

The couple has already seen Shen Yun five times. However, they had to drive “over the hill and in the snow” to get to California each time for the show. They were grateful and excited that this year Shen Yun came to them instead.

I love the spiritual impact it leaves upon me. The performance is just spectacular—I'm crying.

— Bruce Hahn

“It’s a superb show. It’s a new performance every year,” Mr. Hahn said as he stepped out of the theater on Feb. 8. “I love the spiritual impact it leaves upon me. The performance is just spectacular—I’m crying.”

“He cries every time!” Mrs. Hahn laughingly confirmed.

Shen Yun Performing Arts is the world’s top classical Chinese dance and music company.

Seeking to revive China’s 5,000 years of traditional culture destroyed by years of violent communist rule, these New York-based artists are traveling worldwide to bring to everyone the beauty of China before communism.

Audience members can expect a brand-new set of choreography and music every year.

For Mr. Hahn, what touched him most about Shen Yun was the performance’s energy and atmosphere.

“I am moved by what I see, what I hear, and what I feel in my spirit,” he said. “When I watch the performers, and I hear the music, I can feel from the stage what they’re projecting to me—the sadness, hope, and joy.”

Mr. Hahn also thought Shen Yun’s vocalist was superb and the song’s lyrics powerful. “It’s a strong message that we need to look to our past before we [can] decide what our future will be. It’s a good message.”

“The theme of [Shen Yun] is for us to appreciate our cultural roots and that there is hope. There is hope despite the troubled times that we are in. That’s what spoke to me,” Mr. Hahn said.

Dr. Peter Kasprzak attended Shen Yun Performing Arts on Feb. 8, 2023, in Reno, Nev. (Lily Yu/The Epoch Times) — Dr. Peter Kasprzak attended Shen Yun Performing Arts on Feb. 8, 2023, in Reno, Nev. Lily Yu/The Epoch Times

Also in attendance was physician Peter Kasprzak, who enjoyed Shen Yun for the very first time.

While Dr. Kasprzak agreed that the dances were “absolutely incredible and the stories are marvelous,” what stood out to him the most was Shen Yun’s portrayal of the suffering of the Chinese people at the hands of the ruling communist regime.

Dr. Kasprzak was moved by Shen Yun’s modern-day story dance depicting the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of Falun Gong—a spiritual belief whose followers uphold the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

For years, the communist regime has been killing Falun Gong practitioners and harvesting their organs to fund China’s organ trafficking business.

“As a physician, I know about the [forced organ donation.] I know that story and it just stands out tonight in my mind how horrible it is. [The fact] that it’s still going on today is unbelievable and that the world would tolerate it is just wrong,” Dr. Kasprzak expressed.

“Someone should speak out. [The Chinese Communist Party] should have to answer for their crimes. Yet, the world just seems to ignore it and look away. It’s all about money and cheap labor. People are being persecuted and it’s wrong.”

Dr. Kasprzak said watching Shen Yun made him very happy and gave him a warm feeling. “It gives you a very uplifting feeling. It feels so good to be here—it makes your heart feel good.”

Referring to Shen Yun’s mission to revive traditional culture, Dr. Kasprzak said “it’s wonderful that we’re learning about the culture of China before the communist ruined the country.” He thought this is very important because “people need to know what true China was and what has happened to the country.”

“It’s an amazing history of thousands of years. I’m so grateful that the company is bringing that back and educating people,” he said.

“I commend all the [performers] for what they’re doing and the risk that they’re taking to present these stories. The Chinese government does not want this to happen—and you just got to appreciate what these folks are doing to educate the world. I think it’s a wonderful thing.”

Reporting by Mary Mann, Lily Yu, 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.