Shen Yun Displays ‘The Heart and Soul and Passion of the Chinese People,’ Says Actress
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Julie Riederer attended Shen Yun's matinee at the Phoenix Orpheum on Feb. 18, 2024. Lily Yu/The Epoch Times
PHOENIX, Ariz.—Actress Julie Riederer attended Shen Yun’s final show at the Phoenix Orpheum on Feb. 18, and she was stunned by the beauty of the matinee.
“It’s absolutely beautiful and just touching,” she exclaimed. “I’m learning something about the heritage of Chinese history. It’s just very, very beautifully done.”
Shen Yun Performing Arts was founded in 2006 by a group of leading Chinese artists who had fled the persecution of China’s ruling communist party. Following the regime’s violent takeover in 1949, Chinese traditional culture underwent a period of mass destruction.
Ms. Riederer loved that Shen Yun is committed to bringing back China’s 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture and showcasing to the world, beauty before communism.
Referring to the modern-day story dance depicting Chinese people staying steadfast to their belief even in the face of violent persecution by the communist party, Ms. Riederer said she almost cried.
I was moved by “the heart and soul and the passion of the Chinese people trying to continue to be themselves no matter what they’re being told by their government,” she expressed.
“Just being true to themselves and [uphold] the love that they have for themselves, the richness of their history, and trying to still keep that alive.”As an actress, Ms. Riederer finds profound beauty in storytelling. What truly impressed her was how Shen Yun dancers skillfully conveyed their values and what was important to them without any words.
“I’m going to tell [my friends and colleagues] that Shen Yun is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in a while on stage. Everyone should come and see this. Definitely.”
Penelope Popken enjoyed Shen Yun's matinee at the Phoenix Orpheum on Feb. 18, 2024. Linda Jiang/The Epoch Times
Also enjoying the matinee was Podcaster and weight loss influencer Penelope Popken. She is the host of “Step It Up.”
For Ms. Popken, Shen Yun “literally felt like this is what heaven looks like. It was amazing.”
“I was captured in the moment; nothing could steer me away. It was a beautiful, out-of-body experience. It warms my heart because it showed that it’s possible for others to learn and become better and be kinder and more compassionate,” she expressed.
“It brought me to tears because my family wasn’t always great together, but [Shen Yun] showed that, actually, you can have a beautiful relationship that involves God and involves compassion and forbearance, and that it’s okay to be patient and wait.”
Ms. Popken also appreciated the show’s spiritual element, stating that it’s the most important part of the performance because the artists are “not just shoving it in people’s faces—they’re showing the truth about what the divine really is and what it means and looks like.”
“A lot of religions can be a little bit pushy, and [Shen Yun] is not that. It’s just divine beauty, and it really moved me,” she added. “I love dance, and so being able to witness something meaningful—it’s so beautiful to watch and really inspiring.”
Ms. Popken recommends that anyone who sees a Shen Yun flyer or poster should go for it and attend a show.
“It will change your life and change your outlook and open your eyes up to what is real and what is true beauty.”
Reporting by Lily Yu, Linda Jiang, and Jennifer Tseng.
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