SAN FRANCISCO—Ms. Debra Lepold, a former Union Bank vice president and owner of a fiduciary services company, was finally able to meet up with her friend Ms. Lisa Hansen,  vice president  at The Northern Trust Company, Sunday afternoon at the matinee showing of Shen Yun Performing Arts at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, Jan. 12. 

“We loved it, loved, loved it,” said Ms. Hansen, glad Ms. Lepold invited her.

Ms. Lepold, had particularly enjoyed the artistry with which New York-based Shen Yun revives 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.

“We love the colors,” Ms. Lepold said. “Beautiful, beautiful.”

The staging of the production had impressed Ms. Lepold. Shen Yun uses an animated backdrop, allowing the dancers to move seamlessly from stage to screen. Ms. Lepold noticed the use in the mythological story of Ne Zha and the dragon, and enjoyed the dynamic visuals.

Through classical Chinese dance, Shen Yun’s mini-dramas tell stories through the dynasties and many regions of China, up to the modern day.

Ms. Hansen had particularly enjoyed one of the pieces set in the present, “The Steadfast Lotus,” for the story it told.

“It talked about what’s really going on in China right now, ” Ms. Hansen said. “[And it] connected it to the past as well. So it was very very interesting to see it from the history and what’s going on today.”

As the emcees had explained, the belief that heaven, earth, and humankind are connected was one present throughout the dynasties. The divinely inspired culture was once almost lost under the current regime in China, but Shen Yun brings new beginnings.

“I think it’s a great idea, because we’re not really hearing or seeing much of that right now,” Ms. Hansen said of Shen Yun’s mission. “I think it helps us really understand the Chinese people better.”

“I’m enjoying it really well,” Ms. Lepold said. “I just really enjoy the colors and the dancing, it’s really beautiful.”

Reporting by Catherine Yang

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

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.