SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Milwaukee Audience: Shen Yun Is a Wonderful Cultural Experience

Jan 02, 2022

MILWAUKEE, Wis.—Shen Yun Performing Arts was once again delighting its audience in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with an exquisite display of authentic Chinese traditional culture through the medium of classical dance and music.

“It’s beautiful,” said Mrs. Pace, who was attending the performance at the Marcus Performing Arts Center with her husband Jeff Pace.

Shen Yun’s mission is the revival for posterity of China’s 5,000-year divinely-inspired culture, which virtually disappeared under the rule of communism.

“The costumes really draw out the story by the movements and the colors. And I love ... the synchronicity with [the] background and the dancers appearing on stage. It timed perfectly. The music is beautiful,” Mrs. Pace said.

Jeff Pace, the owner of a business that sells architectural building products, agreed with his wife.

“It’s beautiful. [Shen Yun] gives a history … of China and what happened compared to [today’s] communist China. So it’s a beautiful education,” Jeff said.

Shen Yun presents a series of stories that go back through China’s colorful dynasties. Its dancers also depict stories woven around more recent events in China, including the persecution of spiritual groups and their freedom of belief by the atheist regime.

Jeff gave his view on what is happening in China today.

“I think the traditions are still there—I think they are suppressed right now. I think [Shen Yun] lets everybody know how it used to be and how beautiful the country really is,” he said.

Although Shen Yun can be seen throughout the world, it is banned by the Chinese regime.

“I find it very, very, heartbreaking to find out that [Shen Yun] cannot perform in China. It is all about the Chinese culture but they can’t perform it in [China itself],” Mrs. Pace said, adding she was grateful that the American people have the freedom to see it.

Shen Yun means the beauty of divine beings dancing. The ancient Chinese believe that Chinese culture was passed down to humankind by heavenly beings.

We also believe in a higher being, Jeff said. He said he believes that different cultures present different interpretations.

“I think [Shen Yun] is a beautiful representation of that [higher being],” he said.

Many audience members have said they appreciate Shen Yun’s message of hope to humanity. Mrs. Pace strongly agreed.

She felt that Shen Yun showed that despite mankind’s suffering, God was able to bring about a greater good.

“If you don’t have a belief that there is something after this life, you lose your morals. You lose your caring for other people, you lose your caring for yourself. You take things for granted. Your appreciation for things is non-existent.”

“I think people can become reckless in their decisions, thinking that there is no ownership to [their] actions. And to know that you are not alone, that God does not abandon you—he brings about a greater good,” Mrs. Pace said.

Shen Yun Performing Arts New Era Company's curtain call in Milwaukee's Marcus Performing Arts Center, on Dec. 31, 2021. (Hu Chen/The Epoch Times) — Shen Yun Performing Arts New Era Company's curtain call in Milwaukee's Marcus Performing Arts Center, on Dec. 31, 2021. Hu Chen/The Epoch Times

An Anniversary to Celebrate

Seeing Shen Yun was a delightful surprise for Jerry Heijkoot from his wife to celebrate their wedding anniversary, which falls on Jan. 4.

“I loved [Shen Yun] very much. I think it was an interesting cultural experience. I loved the costumes, the colors, the music,” said Heijkoot, who is an accountant.

“The colors and the vibrancy of the whole show and just the different stories … I think it is very interesting blending the past with some of the modern [day events].”

After watching Shen Yun, one feels hopeful and uplifted, Heijkoop added.

Reporting by Stacey Tang and Diane Cordemans.

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