STAMFORD, Conn.—The audience at the Palace Theatre buzzed with excitement as Shen Yun Performing Arts took the stage on March 9. Financial analyst Robert Hill said Shen Yun “was breathtaking.”

“It was great. The music was great. The dancing was great. Very acrobatic. Very impressive,” he said.

“I think they’re accomplishing that [mission]. I think they’re doing a good job toward that end. Things we didn’t know about here in the West, I thought they did a good job of educating us so far. And it’s entertaining as well,” Mr. Hill said.

The performance piqued his curiosity as he watched the stories and legends in dance. The communist regime now persecutes and suppresses the freedom of belief of many in China.

Falun Gong’s spiritual teachings encourage practitioners to live according to the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance.

Mr. Hill said Shen Yun’s artistry attracted him. “But if the Chinese government has a problem with someone, I'd probably like to learn more about that person. I have a favorable impression.”

“If the Chinese communist government is unhappy with the dancing, it probably means I’m friends with the dancers,” he said.

“They said that they can’t perform in China,” Mr. Hill said.

“I think we’ve all heard about Shen Yun from promotions. It’s a favorable impression and  I think I'll tell other people about it,” he said.