KITCHENER, Canada—Shen Yun Performing Arts made an impression on businessmen who turned out for its first of two shows at Centre In The Square Theatre Monday night.

John Milligan, president and founder of a Cambridge-based company specializing in the construction of electrical control panels and automation specialties, was impressed by the energy of the performance.

“It’s very colourful and exciting,” said Mr. Milligan, adding that “it’s very professional, very athletic.”

New York-based Shen Yun features performances of classical Chinese dance and music, rooted in 5,000 years of Chinese history.

Mr. Milligan had some knowledge of Chinese culture and found Shen Yun’s performance to be very authentic.

He also had praise for Shen Yun’s state-of-the-art animated backdrop.

“It integrates well with the dance, which is great,” he said.

Douglas Edenborough, founder and president of Edenborough Ltd., a gift product distributor, was enjoying the show when he shared his thoughts during intermission.

“The dancers are good. It’s very good, very interesting,” he said.

He noted that Shen Yun’s digitally projected backdrop added an extra dimension to the performance, and added that he appreciated the drummers in the opening number.

Emil Lipke is a partner in a local auto dealership. By the midway intermission, he was fully impressed.

“I think it’s wonderful, very nice production. … I am enjoying it,” said Mr. Lipke

“They’re amazing, totally amazing,” he said of the dancers.

Mr. Lipke singled out two dances, Mighty Monk and Snow-Capped Celebration.

The first is about a junior monk in a faraway monastery who aspires to martial arts greatness like his fellow monks. He falls far short, but when he asks for help from a heavenly warrior, magic happens.

The second dance is a Tibetan ethnic dance set in the Himalayas, a joyful dance to a zestful song.

“That was lovely,” said Mr. Lipke.

Mr. Lipke added that the show left him feeling wonderful and relaxed.

With him was Sandy Searth, a PSC manager.

Ms. Searth was awestruck by Shen Yun’s digital projections in particular, a backdrop that comes to life.

“That background really got me, the way they come out of the actual background is amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it ever. Fantastic,” she said

She also noted that many of her coworkers who are Chinese had spoken to her about Shen Yun.

“They just really told me to come and see it. I am very very pleased that I did,” Ms. Searth said, adding that she would come and see the show again.

Founded in 2006, Shen Yun Performing Arts has seen rapid growth—now with four companies, each featuring some 100 performers, performing around the world.

As a part of its 2015 world tour, Shen Yun is performing in over 100 cities on five continents, gracing some of the world’s most prestigious stages such as New York’s Lincoln Center, Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center, and Paris’s Palais des Congrès de Paris.

Reporting by Xinxin Teng and Becky Zhou

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

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