SALT LAKE CITY—Shen Yun Performing Arts is showing audiences around the world that although Chinese culture is considered foreign, there may be more similarities than differences between American and Chinese culture.

“I thought it was great. It just gave a different perspective from people who live in a different part of the world than us. But I think there’s a lot of similarities in what we believe around the world and that there’s a lot of people that believe in the message that the performance was giving,” said Emily Turley, a pharmacist.

“I enjoyed the dancing so much and it was unbelievable, their technique. I love dance and I was just really amazed at their capabilities. And I’ve seen a lot of people dance similarly, but not with the expertise,” said Nancy Perry, a proud mother of 11 children.

“I liked the water sleeve dance. I thought that was beautiful. I liked seeing the different ethnic dances from different parts of China. That also was a highlight for me,” said Ms. Turley.

Every year, Shen Yun puts on an all-new program, drawing from Chinese history, literature, myth, and legends.

“I think that I enjoyed it very much. I thought that is a great message. And I was familiar with the persecution that they’ve suffered in China before because I’ve read a lot about it,” said Richard Perry, a retired entrepreneur.

Communist China can be described as the total opposite of traditional China. Whereas the Chinese Communist Party requires its people to only believe in the Party, China was traditionally a place of deep spirituality.

Shen Yun’s live orchestra is a unique combination of traditional Chinese instruments and a classic Western ensemble. The instrument that really impressed Mr. Perry was the two-stringed erhu.

“I really enjoyed the music of the two-string instrument. I was astonished that it could play as many sounds as it played. And so it was beautiful. It was a great performance,” he said.