PHILADELPHIA—On the evening of April 12, Shen Yun Performing Arts opened the first of its seven consecutive shows at the Miller Theater. Sitting in the sold-out audience was Delaware House minority leader Rep. Mike Ramone.
State Rep. Ramone thoroughly enjoyed the show and thought the performance was “an educational yet artistic experience.”
“It was just excellent. It was very well thought out,” he said. “To see where we came from—through the history of China—to where we ended at the end was just a great experience and a great education.”
“The bright colors were very invigorating. Then, of course, seeing the dancing and tying that in with the musical instruments and the singing—it’s all wrapped together.
“It was a very satisfying cultural experience.”
In the 2023 touring season, Shen Yun performers will be traveling to over 180 cities across five continents to share with the world, through dance and music, the beauty of pre-communist China.
As a state representative, Rep. Ramone is familiar with his local Chinese community and makes frequent visits to Delaware’s Chinese American Cultural Center. Shen Yun furthered his understanding of China’s history and culture.
Referring to the spiritual elements of Shen Yun, Rep. Ramone expressed that he “absolutely believes there is one supreme being.”
“Maybe we come from different perspectives, but if we look at all the different religions—they all tie to that. There is one superior spirit that brought us here and we will all [go] back together,” he said.
“I think that is extremely important to keep us all grounded. I listened to several statements about the atheist belief and some that gravitate away from the divine spirit—that’s concerning. [Shen Yun] helps them to rethink a little bit. That’s very good.”
“You can’t miss it,” he said. “You feel it in your heart and in your chest. It’s just very exciting and uplifting.”In his personal life, Rep. Ramone enjoys watching the arts to help him internalize different cultures better. Shen Yun was definitely one of those experiences.
“It’s extremely valuable. Shen Yun did a phenomenal job today. That was a packed house! Everybody was in there and nobody left. [The performers] definitely had our attention,” he added.
“I just hope and pray that every single person that can get in [the theater] watches from now until the end of the tour because everybody who sees it will leave with a little something special. That’s very important.”
After the performance, Rep. Ramone presented Shen Yun’s emcee John Perry with a letter of support for Shen Yun’s 2023 tour.
“Shen Yun expresses China’s rich and traditional culture in a language everyone can understand and enjoy,” the letter read. “I applaud the commitment of Shen Yun Performing Arts to preserving China’s early heritage and culture. I wish the artists continued success for many years to come.”