UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill.—The audience who attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University enthusiastically enjoyed the all-new performance on April 12.

Jeff and Marie Hamlin and their daughter Eve had much to say about the performance.

Mrs. Hamlin, a high school science teacher, thought New York-based Shen Yun was an incredible experience. “I thought they did a great job and we’ve been waiting to see this for a while. It was beautiful. [The performers] are very talented.”

Mrs. Hamlin said the lyrics were powerful “because it sounded like ... there are times they’re not able to do what their beliefs are. We’re Christian and we have a belief in a higher power; I think it would be hard for us if we were restricted and couldn’t do that.”

“Because we’re Christians, we believe in the afterlife and a higher being. And like Marie says, if somebody took it away from me, I don’t know what I would think. I'd be very resentful,” Mr. Hamlin said.

Mr. Hamlin, who formerly worked in medical supplies, said, “It was just a wonderful experience. I enjoyed it.”

Shen Yun hopes to revive the 5,000 years of rich culture from “China before communism.”

“I think it’s disappointing that that’s what they’re doing,” Mrs. Hamlin said, referring to the suppression of traditional culture by the communist regime.

The scene as the curtains open shows the Creator and divine beings coming to earth to gift culture to humanity. The finale also depicts the Creator who saves humankind from a tsunami. They provide a theme of hope for humanity to be saved, which Mrs. Hamlin said was “divine.”

Mr. Hamlin respected the efforts of Shen Yun to share China’s spiritual culture with the world. “They have strong perseverance and conviction, and that’s important. It’s very admirable.”