ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—In a word, Shen Yun Performing Arts is simply incredible. That was the reaction of retired teacher and peace activist Mary McCall after seeing the New York-based Shen Yun perform at the Mahaffey Theater on Wednesday evening.

“A collage of tradition, dance, color, artistry, and the scenery and the sense of place—it was wonderful,” said Ms. McCall, who has some training in ballet.

Christopher Peak, who accompanied Ms. McCall to the performance, was also full of praise for Shen Yun.

“What I was … amazed by was almost like looking at a very complex painting, but a painting that moves,” said Mr. Peak, who is also a teacher.

“So you have all these wonderful colors and this scenery, but the whole thing moves, and it moves to the music.”

Mr. Peak, who has practiced martial arts for many years, also said he was amazed by the control that Shen Yun performers have over their movements.

Shen Yun was formed by a group of leading classical Chinese artists with a mission to revive China’s divinely inspired culture. At the heart of Shen Yun performances is classical Chinese dance, but the company also features ethnic and folk dances, as well as musical and vocal performances.

Mr. Peak said he didn’t realize how much of China’s traditional culture has been wiped out in China today. He said he was particularly moved by the dance The Steadfast Lotus, which shows a mother and daughter in today’s China being persecuted by the communist regime for their belief in the spiritual practice Falun Gong.

“That one struck me,” Mr. Peak said.

Falun Gong is a peaceful practice that emphasizes living by the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance.

With reporting by Marie Yeung

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.