SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Folsom Theatergoer Sees the True Heart of Shen Yun

Jan 15, 2025

FOLSOM, Calif.—Speaking from the heart is powerful, and Greg Vlasek could feel the true heart of Shen Yun Performing Arts during the performance on the evening of Jan. 14.

“[Shen Yun] is the message of the true heart and the spirit of the Chinese people beyond the current regime. That’s an important message that we all understand—what we see now in China is not what China should be,” said Mr. Vlasek, a retired manager of the Air Resources Board in the state of California.

Shen Yun is based in New York, and its mission is to revive 5,000 years of Chinese culture, China before communism. Shen Yun is performing around the world, but it cannot perform in China.

“It seems like China is a long way from accepting this kind of artistry and creativity among common people. It seems very oppressive now, and hopefully, China can someday overcome that,” shared Mr. Vlasek.

China was once known as the land of the divine, and Shen Yun is using its art to reconnect its audiences with the divine.

“I like the spiritual message that’s part of the show. It’s very important, and I’m really glad that Shen Yun is carrying this message to the American public. It’s really important,” said Mr. Vlasek.

Shen Yun’s dancers are trained in classical Chinese dance, and Mr. Vlasek’s wife, Erin, was very impressed with the beauty and coordination of the artists.

“Amazing. They seem like they’re completely coordinated, they’re very smooth, it’s like they’re floating, they’re beautiful,” said Mrs. Vlasek, a scientist.

Scott Mulligan at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at Harris Center on Jan. 14, 2025. (Gary Wang/The Epoch Times) — Scott Mulligan at the Shen Yun Performing Arts performance at Harris Center on Jan. 14, 2025. Gary Wang/The Epoch Times

Scott Mulligan, a structural engineer senior associate, was also at the performance. He was impressed with Shen Yun’s digital backdrop. The versatility of technology allows the set to change scenes in the blink of an eye, giving the stage endless possibilities.

“We really like the animated backdrops, when they jump behind the stage, and then they see the characters on the screen,” said Mr. Mulligan.

Shen Yun’s singers are trained in the authentic bel canto technique and although the singers are performing in Chinese, the backdrop provides a translation of the text for audiences to follow along.

“I love seeing everything. All the dancing, the music, and the soprano was amazing ... I enjoyed watching her. I started reading the words, but I just focused on her. She’s so amazing,” shared Mr. Mulligan.

Shen Yun has eight companies touring the world simultaneously and each company has its own orchestra. Mr. Mulligan was highly impressed with the music he heard during the performance.

“I’m a trumpet player so I like hearing a little bit of trumpet when I can,” said Mr. Mulligan, who shared that he visited the orchestra pit to see the musicians.

Reporting by Gary Wang and Maria Han.

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