Audience Members From Far and Wide Seize Chance to See Shen Yun in Dallas
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DALLAS—Since 2006, New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has become a global sensation, and with even with half a dozen companies touring the world simultaneously has not been able to keep up with audience demand.
This year, the 2023 tour is set to hit more than 180 cities around the world, with eight equally sized companies touring globally.
Audience members have reported being able to fulfill their dream of seeing Shen Yun after having missed sold-out shows several years in a row.
Mrs. Toby Pailes and Mr. Jan Greenberg, a retired army officer, drove four hours from Houston to Dallas after having missed it in both Houston and San Antonio. The couple attended the Feb. 26 matinee at the Winspear Opera House, which, like the three previous weekend shows in Dallas, sold out, prompting the addition of an evening performance that Sunday.
“All the stories touched me,” Mrs. Pailes said.
“I loved the background; when they jumped down from the screen, I thought that was fantastic—what a great idea,” Mr. Greenberg said.
Curtis Collins, retired lieutenant general, attended the performance with his wife, who is Chinese, and commended Shen Yun’s bravery for telling the truth about China, and showing the world that Chinese culture and the Chinese people are not at all represented by the Chinese Communist Party, which has only made the people of China suffer.
“It’s a beautiful tradition and culture that not many people get to experience, and they’re able to bring it to a lot of people,“ he said. ”It’s just—it’s wonderful. My wife and I both enjoyed it very much ... We drove almost a hundred miles to come here to watch this.”
The couple felt uplifted by the universal values and sense of hope from the performance and commended Shen Yun’s mission to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.
“I think that’s something they need to cling on to and preserve forever,” Mr. Collins said.
Katrina Mohamed, a vice president in education, said after the show that what Shen Yun showed should be taught in schools.
“For the children, for the adults, for everyone,” she said. “I wish more people were able to see it, really, because I think that tells such an amazing story that we just don’t learn about.”
“All we teach are things that are negative, and we have forgotten the entire history of it,” she said. “I am going to share this with my schools.”
“I think if we could share this show with more people, it would create more support and create change. Which would be wonderful!”
Ms. Mohamed said the experience was “absolutely breathtaking” and gorgeous.
“So much talent, so much warmth, and feelings,” she said. But it was also sad, “heartbreaking to think what is occurring in China that is not able to be shared openly. So I am just honored to be here. It was just beautiful.”