“It’s a beautiful culture and it’s very sad. Actually, in China, they cannot perform this, and I heard a lot of people are flying from different countries to actually watch the performance, so I’m very proud that you keep up with this culture and keep it up. Thank you for the performance,” he said.

“There’s a lot of energy and the dancers and the performers are very engaged and energized to be performing and it’s noticeable that they’re enjoying what they’re doing and presenting what they’re presenting,” he said.

“The music’s been very beautiful. The orchestra is doing a good job too. The singer was great and I appreciated that you could read English below and understand what the words were about,” Mr. Rogers commented.

He added that the positivity of the performance leaves the audience feeling good and uplifted.

“Because it lifts you. It’s a positive message and it lifts you, certainly, that’s true. You can feel that because of the energy,” he said.

Peter Allor was also in the audience. He was impressed with Shen Yun’s use of a digital backdrop.

“That was amazing,” Mr. Allor said. “I really like how they synchronize the dance with the technology showing how [a performer] flies away.”

He noticed that there were similarities between the spiritual beliefs of China before communism and Christianity.

“I’m watching the Chinese thought process about heaven. You see the theme of everyone always looking for a Creator, something bigger than what they are,” Mr. Allor said.

“I used to play a French horn so I can hear the orchestra. I hear the different parts and the percussion. I hear the different strings and the brass so it’s very well-orchestrated together with the choreography,” he said.