DETROIT—Larry Walters had an enlightening afternoon watching Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Detroit Opera House on Feb. 9, enjoying the 5,000 years of Chinese civilization that the artists had brought to life through music and dance.

“It’s been beautiful and just really, really wonderful to watch the dancers and just to take it all in and hear their culture as well,” said Mr. Walters, who works in marketing, describing the production as “astounding.”

“Every group and region has their own ethnic background, and they shared their expression, expressed themselves differently in different ways and so they’re showing all that,” he said.

“I think it’s good that we’re actually bringing that message out to the people who don’t know much about what’s going on there currently. So it’s been very enlightening in that way.”

“I think it’s very important that that’s allowed to happen,” he said. “It’s nice that they’re bringing the message to us so that we understand what’s going on there. And we’re seeing that first hand, in a very colorful and delightful way, but a serious message.”

“I would like just to see it continue and I think everyone deserves and needs to see and hear this message,” he added.

Mr. Walters said his own takeaway was a message of freedom.

“I think people have abilities that are amazing, and when there’s freedom to express ourselves the way we want to, then we can see beauty and the tolerance and accept each other,” he said.

“I’m getting the message today that we need to be more compassionate and understanding and tolerant and let things, people express themselves the way they need to,” he added. “It’s very important.”