SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

San Diego Anticipates Another Spectacular Season of Shen Yun

Apr 03, 2025

4/3/2025Updated: 4/3/2025

SAN DIEGO, Calif.—The sun will be shining on the San Diego Civic Theatre when Shen Yun Performing Arts performs on April 12.

In past years, the world’s audiences have thrilled to Shen Yun’s performances and San Diego has joined in their applause.

“The traditional values are the most important part of the story because communism in China has just destroyed the traditional culture there, and people don’t get to see what’s actually happening,” said Pearson Sharp, a journalist.

Pearson Sharp at the Shen Yun Performing Arts at the San Diego Civic Theatre in San Diego, Calif., on April 23, 2023. (NTD) — Pearson Sharp at the Shen Yun Performing Arts at the San Diego Civic Theatre in San Diego, Calif., on April 23, 2023. NTD

Shen Yun’s mission is to revive China’s 5,000 years of traditional culture from before communism. The communist regime has persecuted and suppressed this rich heritage as well as its spiritual message.

Mario Mancini practices Chinese medicine and has always been drawn to Chinese culture.

“They’re dancing around the world is just making everyone aware that there’s something different than what people see today, which is [from] communist China,” he said.

Brian Gibbs, CEO of a retirement advising and tax planning company, brought 50 of his clients to see Shen Yun Performing Arts in 2023.

He loved “the commonality [China] has with all cultures and being from divine origin, the love and kindness toward each other, and the belief that we will all be in a better place later.

“I think that cultural commonality with what I believe and with all of us as a people, that’s what draws me to it. I wanted to bring my clients and others to see the beautiful nature of the Chinese people,” he said.

“It’s amazing,” he said. “Just amazing how much time [the performers] must spend in becoming so expert at what they do. It’s the best. I have never seen such great poise and balance and acrobatic ability before. They are beautiful, and their movements are beautiful, their faces are beautiful, and I think that they are just wonderful in all they’ve done.”

Zulma Curet enjoyed Shen Yun's evening performance at San Diego Civic Theatre in San Diego, Calif., on April 21, 2023. (Linda Jiang/The Epoch Times) — Zulma Curet enjoyed Shen Yun's evening performance at San Diego Civic Theatre in San Diego, Calif., on April 21, 2023. Linda Jiang/The Epoch Times

The production, especially Shen Yun’s patented 3D animated backdrop, pleased the audience.

Physician Zulma Curet loved Shen Yun’s innovative digital backdrop and “how the dancers jump into the screen and back. I’ve never, ever seen anything like that before,” she said.

“We were thinking that even our two young kids would enjoy this. I will definitely recommend the show. I was thinking about telling my co-workers too. I think they would enjoy it,” Ms. Curet said.

Jessica Wanamaker, who is a VP in biotech sales and also plays the flute, loved Shen Yun’s live orchestra. She was especially amazed by the classical Chinese instruments included in the performance, such as the two-stringed erhu and the pipa, a Chinese lute.

Jessica Wanamaker at Shen Yun's matinee at the San Diego Civic Theater in San Diego, Calif., on Jan. 21, 2024. (Tina Deng/The Epoch Times) — Jessica Wanamaker at Shen Yun's matinee at the San Diego Civic Theater in San Diego, Calif., on Jan. 21, 2024. Tina Deng/The Epoch Times

“I was quite impressed. They did a phenomenal job,” she said. “I’ve never seen that instrument before, and I’d always been curious about what [instrument] the music was made from. So, it was awesome to get to see it live.”

Jerry Newray, a sales director, spent a lot of time in China and had an interest in the culture.

“It’s beautiful. It really is. It’s good to see the original culture. It’s still alive,” he said.

For San Diego and nearby cities, including Costa Mesa, Riverside, and Hollywood, theatergoers can book tickets by visiting ShenYun.com/tickets

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. Audiences have expressed their excitement and admiration for Shen Yun since 2006.