SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun ‘Brings Ancient Chinese Culture to the World,’ Says Entertainment Company Owner

Apr 16, 2025

4/16/2025Updated: 4/16/2025

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Entertainment company owner Andrew Green had never seen something like Shen Yun Performing Arts before.

“Oh, it’s beautiful. Oh my gosh, and there’s nothing else like it. It’s very unique and beautiful. It brings ancient Chinese culture to the world. Beautiful,” Mr. Green said. He attended Shen Yun with his wife, Kelly, at the Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center on April 16.

Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance company, with a mission to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.

It wasn’t lost on the audience that Shen Yun’s performance showcasing “China before communism” could not be seen in China today, where the ruling communist regime has sought to destroy traditional culture since taking power in 1949.

Mrs. Green said one of the story-based dances that brought this traditional Chinese culture to the modern day, where it is still oppressed by the Chinese communist regime, was one of the most moving works she had seen.

“The scene ... was probably one of the most moving things that I’ve seen in theater. It was very emotional for me to see. It’s beautiful. It was a wonderful presentation,” Mrs. Green said.

“I feel like the persecution that’s going on, and stopping people from learning their true self is an affront—and it’s just, to see it in theater and in the dance is just such a beautiful and moving thing,” she said.

Although the Chinese communist regime’s religious persecution and efforts to stop Shen Yun from performing are ongoing, Shen Yun has grown from one to eight groups since it was established in 2006.

Traditional Chinese culture is a divinely inspired culture, and Shen Yun’s programs are rife with depictions and references to the divine. Mr. Green said the performance was a universal one, with interesting stories that spoke to and entertained him regardless of background.

“It reminded me of spirituality that’s not just in China, but that story crosses many cultures, and it’s beautiful,” he said.

“The style of dance, the music, and the way that it’s done is just beautiful. It’s very touching. I love the stories, the ancient stories,” he said. “It was just very artistic with the way that it also went from live action to animation to tell the story and bring it back. It was very unique and creative.”

Reporting by Sherry Dong and Catherine Yang.

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