SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

‘I’m Seeing Angels Flying,’ Says Shen Yun Audience Member

Jan 19, 2023

PORTLAND, Ore.—A scene from the heavens was the first thing the Madrids saw when they attended a performance by Shen Yun Performing Arts.

“One moment I felt like I was in heaven when I see the performance. I feel like I’m seeing angels flying,” said Ms. Rocio Madrid, an owner of a business, who saw the performance together with David Madrid.

“It’s amazing the way that they are moving. It’s like someone is pulling [them] up. Like they’re flying basically,” said Ms. Madrid.

Shen Yun is based in New York, and its mission is to revive China’s 5,000 years of culture. For many audience members, Chinese culture is completely foreign to them, but seeing a China before communism presented on stage by Shen Yun becomes a rewarding experience.

“This is the first time I’ve been in a performance like this so I don’t know much about the tradition of China,” said Ms. Madrid, who emphasized that Shen Yun should be shared with people around the world and encouraged it.

“Not only in the United States but in the whole world. So the whole world can be all together and help each other. I really think it’s amazing. When I heard the years of the traditions, I was like, oh my,” she said. “You guys have been doing this for many years. So that’s something that touched—really my heart and it makes me feel more human.”

Shen Yun has been sharing Chinese culture with audiences around the world since 2006, but although it is spreading the beauty of China, Shen Yun is not able to perform in China.

“It’s kind of sad that it’s not allowed to perform in China. It should be so that you can [be aware] of what’s happening,” said David Madrid.

Along with the dances, Shen Yun also features solo vocalists who are trained in the traditional bel canto singing style. Using a digital backdrop, a text translation is available so audiences worldwide can understand what is being sung.

Mr. Madrid said the song he heard that night really touched his heart. He said that the text indicating that “we have to believe in heaven and we have to be positive and have good principles to go to heaven,” is his belief. “That’s what touched my heart too. And he’s got a really nice voice. I love it.”

Reporting by Mary Zhang 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.