SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Milwaukee Anticipates Shen Yun’s All-New 2025 Production

Feb 15, 2025

The great Midwestern city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is looking forward to the 2025 all-new season of Shen Yun Performing Arts. Shen Yun will perform at the Miller High Life Theatre on Feb. 22 and 23.

The whole world applauded Shen Yun’s performance in past years and Milwaukee has joined in the applause.

Company CEO Mike Orlando’s praise was effusive when he saw Shen Yun last year. “We loved it. It was creative. We loved the artistry. I thought the colors were outstanding, and the history was also very informative,” he said.

Kathy Hoffman and Mike Orlando enjoyed Shen Yun's matinee at the Miller High Life Theatre on Feb. 4, 2024. (NTD) — Kathy Hoffman and Mike Orlando enjoyed Shen Yun's matinee at the Miller High Life Theatre on Feb. 4, 2024. NTD

Its program includes classical Chinese, ethnic, folk, and short storyline dances, as well as solo musical performances. Together with the live orchestra, the artists recount tales and legends ranging from ancient times to the modern day.

“It was very ethereal, kind of uplifting, and very sad at times. It went the range of emotions,” said Kathy Hoffman, a retired school teacher.

Sara Connor and Bruce Clark at the Miller High Life Theatre on Feb. 3. (Frank Liang/The Epoch Times) — Sara Connor and Bruce Clark at the Miller High Life Theatre on Feb. 3. Frank Liang/The Epoch Times

Sara Connor, best-selling author and president of the Forest History Association of Wisconsin, said “I waited so long to see it that it just sort of elevates you into a feeling of a breath of fresh air.”

“For [Shen Yun] to be able to do it every year, they’ve got to pull from many genres and very talented writers to pull it all together, especially doing all the composing,” she said.

“I am astounded,” said Corrine Fiorentino, a fitness instructor at the YMCA in Racine, Wisconsin. “I just cannot believe [the dancers’] achievement.”

With its flips and gentle elegance, classical Chinese dance is one of the most athletic and expressive art forms in the world. Alongside ballet, it is the most comprehensive dance system in the world and requires incredibly demanding, high-level technique.

Dean, a chemical engineer and regional manager for BASF who also studied ballet, said: “Looking at their feet, it’s perfect. Their body movement … the things that they are doing are incredible!”

Reflecting on a dance story that depicts the Chinese Communist Party’s crime of forced organ harvesting from Falun Dafa prisoners of conscience in China, Mr. Fiorentino said he was nearly moved to tears.

“I almost came to tears watching that … and to think that actually still is happening today.”

In 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a persecution campaign against the spiritual practice, called Falun Gong, and its adherents have since been subjected to unprecedented imprisonment, torture, and abuse.

“It’s a wonderful, wonderful presentation, and something that must live on,” said Jorge Franco, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin in 2023.

Mr. Franco, who is passionate about serving his community, found Shen Yun’s mission of reviving traditional Chinese culture, which was almost lost under communism, to be admirable.

“It’s got to be done. It’s wonderful that they’re doing it and bringing it back with such vibrancy. We love that,” Mr. Franco said.

“The spiritual element is profound, and its divinity is very unique,” he said.

This year, as Shen Yun is set to perform in over 200 cities around the world and across five continents, the 2025 touring season is shaping up to be the artists’ busiest yet and a glorious treat for theater goers.

For Milwaukee and nearby cities, including Madison, and Rosemont and Rockford, Illinois, theater goers can book tickets by visiting ShenYun.com/tickets

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