MODESTO, Calif.—Beverly Martin and Dan Ornelas have been married for 45 years and seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts this season was a Christmas gift they gave each other.
Shen Yun is based in New York and its mission is to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, a China before communism. Shen Yun’s presentation of truth and beauty has made it unable to perform in China today.
The couple was struck by the lack of basic human rights in China.
“The power of the fact that it can’t be shown in China—that was really amazing to me. You have many choices in the United States,” said Ms. Martin.
Her husband, Mr. Ornelas, also a trustee investment broker, echoed his appreciation of the freedom in America.
“We’re very happy to see that we have our freedom. You see what they don’t have in other countries. So this this is very nice,” he said.
One dance that really struck Ms. Martin was “Unprecedented Crime,” which involves an interrupted wedding and the depiction of the brutality that Falun Gong practitioners face in China every day.
“I enjoyed the wedding scene. I love that,” said Ms. Martin.
“I like the one with the pig. That was very funny,” said Mr. Ornelas.
“I like the way that the people went from the stage into the screen,” said Mr. Ornelas.
The couple shared that they are very excited to share Shen Yun with their family.
“I was just terrifically enjoying it. I would recommend it. I’m gonna call my daughter-in-law when I leave here because she lives in Oregon,” said Mr. Ornelas.
“I’m telling her you have to see this. She was so jealous that I got to see this today. I’m so happy we did. I love it,” added Mr. Martin.
