MESA, Ariz.—“The best I’ve ever seen,” said Robert Wahlstrom about Shen Yun Performing Arts.

Mr. Wahlstrom, owner of a Ford Dealership, and his wife Jane, a retired nurse, attended the matinee performance at the Ikeda Theater at Mesa Arts Center in Arizona on Feb. 15.

“It was wonderful,” said Mr. Wahlstrom, “colorful, graceful, beautiful!”

According to the company’s website, the presented heroes from ancient folklore embody the most exalted virtues of Chinese civilization and convey morals still relevant to the modern-day.

“We could all use those principles in this day and age and all over the world,” he added.

Falun Dafa, also called Falun Gong, is a spiritual discipline based on truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a persecution against the practice in 1999, and adherents have since been subjected to unprecedented imprisonment, torture, and abuse.

The erhu is a traditional Chinese two-stringed instrument that has been called the “Chinese violin.” An incredibly expressive instrument, it can convey a broad range of emotions, even imitating sounds from chirping birds to neighing horses, Shen Yun’s website explains.

“It was very calming, very beautiful,” said Mr. Mukhar, “some of the dancing, I almost cried.”

“I like the tenor’s performance,” said Mrs. Mukhar, “he evoked a lot of emotion.”