SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Businessman Says Shen Yun a ‘Glorious Portrayal of the True Beauty of China’

Apr 13, 2025

4/13/2025Updated: 4/13/2025

UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill.—The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University was filled with applause as Shen Yun Performing Arts delivered a splendid performance of the new 2025 season on April 13.

Robert Simon said, “We love it. We waited a long time to get here. We’ve been intending to see the show for years, but finally got here today.”

Mr. Simon, who is the general manager of a construction company, was aware of the communist regime’s persecution of the Chinese people. “We hold out hope for the Chinese people under the oppression of communism. And we look forward to supporting Shen Yun today,” he said.

Mr. Simon said he follows the alternative news media for news about China. “I know that the communists don’t represent China. The five strong families that are oppressing the Lao Bai Jing. So I see [Shen Yun] as a historical beauty, you know, traditional, Chinese tradition. I think it’s the glorious portrayal of the true beauty of China,” he said.

As the curtain opens, the audience is greeted by divine beings coming down to the world to create civilization.

“I think it’s fabulous,” Mr. Simon said. “You’re talking about the theater, the stagecraft, you’re talking about the beautiful video experience—the backdrop, the costumes. The whole thing is glorious.”

Shen Yun’s patented 3D technology is an audience favorite as performers tell a story in dance.

“I love the way [the backdrop] interacts with the live dancers jumping up onto the screen. You know what I mean? I just think it’s fantastic technology and the incorporation of live dance, interfacing with the technology of the screen, the backdrop,” he said.

Shen Yun’s mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture and tour throughout the United States and elsewhere in the world, despite bomb threats and harassment. Unfortunately, Shen Yun is banned from performing in China.

“I’m grateful and proud of you for putting this on, and I’m so happy to see a full house,” he said.

“[The communist regime] is just pure evil, and their days are numbered. I think we’re going to see the beginning of the end of the Chai Coms,” Mr. Simon said.

Mr. Simon used a common Chinese idiom. “It’s fascinating, you know, the Chinese curse: ‘May you live in interesting times.’ That’s today. And so here we are.”

Mr. Simon said he subscribes to The Epoch Times and “that’s what got me here today.”

He said that Shen Yun “was just very beautiful visually, artistically—the music, the dance, the visuals, and the stagecraft. It was epic. It was beautiful. I can see why they’re having good success, and I hope they have success forever.”

Reporting by Stacey Tang and Yvonne Marcotte.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.