COSTA MESA, Calif.—Steven Suyama, supervisor of the mechanical division at the port of Long Beach, brought his mother to see one of two sold-out performances of Shen Yun Performing Arts World Company at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts on Saturday, Jan. 31.

“This show is bringing back the old values of the cultures that made China,” said Mr. Suyama. “Not just China, but all the other countries of this planet. We’ve forgotten where we came from, and where we need to be. It’s a reminder.”

According to New York-based Shen Yun’s website, “For 5,000 years divine culture flourished in the land of China. Humanity’s treasure was nearly lost, but through breathtaking music and dance, Shen Yun is bringing back this glorious culture.”

“Overall impression was a 10,” said Mr. Suyama. “Very good visual effects.”

“I love the scenery, I love the music, I love the beautiful dancing,” said his mother, Christina Chow, a retired nurse.

Shen Yun’s website describes the performance: “Sophisticated dance techniques, an orchestra joining instruments from both the East and West, beautiful costumes, and a stunning back drop—this is Shen Yun at first glance.”

“But digging deeper, one discovers a sea of traditional Chinese culture. Mortals and divine beings merge on stage as one. Principles such as benevolence and justice, propriety and wisdom, respect for the heavens, and divine retribution, all come to life, washing over the audience,” says the website.

Ms. Chow said she loved the lyrics sung by Shen Yun’s soprano solists, saying they were deeply spiritual. She said the entire production felt like beautiful scripture from beginning to end.

“For me,” said Mr. Suyama, “it sends a message that the repressive government, or regime, in China isn’t liberating the people. So this message has been showing me that the future brings optimism, compassion, prosperity.”

Mr. Suyama and his mother both agreed Shen Yun gave them the impression that good is overcoming evil, all around the world.

“Kind of liberating,” said Mr. Suyama. “I think it came at a right time. Our society, our cultures that span this globe, we need the inspiration, we need the…”

“The enlightenment,” said Ms. Chow.

“Yes, the enlightenment. We need to bring back the compassion for one another if we’re going to succeed as one people,” said Mr. Suyama.

They urged everyone to come see Shen Yun

More to Life

Once a research scientist, Shen Yun audience member William Somsak said he is now a mechanic “playing with antique cars.”

“I thought it was wonderful,” he said of the performance. He said it was a unique experience where he, as a man could say he was overcome by a great feeling of emotion watching the dances, particularly one that portrayed a tragic story of a general and his wife.

“To me that was one of the most touching, being married for 46 years,” said Mr. Somsak.

He said all of the dancing was “outstanding” and “absolutely breathtaking,” requiring an immense amount of work to achieve a result of this level. The performance itself gave him a “regal” impression, with an emphasis on “higher nature.”

He hoped more people could come see and understand Shen Yun.

“It is something which everybody needs to expand their nature,” he said. “You will be rewarded, and there is more to life than just living it.”

Reporting by NTD Television, Jane Yang and Sarah Le

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.

Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reaction since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006