SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun Is ‘An Amazing, Eye-Opening Experience,’ Says California Theatergoer

Feb 12, 2023

ESCONDIDO, Calif.—Caught between busy schedules and a pandemic, caseworker Victor Cuevas and senior accountant Dawn Clark waited for years before they got the opportunity to see Shen Yun. Finally, on Feb. 11, they attended the company’s evening performance at the California Center for the Arts.

The two agreed that it was very exciting to learn about a culture that was unknown to them and that Shen Yun Performing Arts was a magical experience. Ms. Clark was especially touched by the spiritual aspects of the performance.

“We all have different spiritual beliefs but with common goals,” she said. “I hope everyone in the audience [can] take away from it to help them become better people.”

Once known as the “Land of the Divine,” the Chinese people believed that their civilization was a gift from the heavens. For 5,000 years, China’s culture was built on the values and virtues inspired by the spiritual teachings of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism.

However, after the Chinese Communist Party’s violent takeover in 1949, China’s traditional culture went through decades of systematic destruction.

Based in New York, Shen Yun was established in 2006 by leading Chinese artists who dreamt of bringing back this lost culture. Their mission is to present to the world, through dance and music, the beauty of China before communism.

Prior to fleeing to the United States, many of these artists had suffered persecution at the hands of the Communist Party. Currently, Shen Yun is banned by the regime from performing in China.

Mr. Cuevas said this was something he really didn’t know about. “They express it very artistically. We are sheltered from what’s really going on [in China.] It’s very interesting to [be able to] see it here.”

Ms. Clark added that the stories of these Shen Yun artists were “truly inspiring.”

“It’s eye-opening because what we see on TV isn’t always portrayed correctly. So, it was really great to see an unbiased performance that really makes us think.”

Ms. Clark said Shen Yun was doing a wonderful job in terms of reviving traditional culture and bringing awareness to the situation in China.

“It’s a good start. We can’t support something that we don’t know. So, I think the performance opens our horizon and let us know what is going on [in China] and how we can help,” she said.

“[Shen Yun] is an amazing, eye-opening experience that everybody should experience. I would bring [my grandchildren here] in a heartbeat,” Ms. Clark continued. “Whether it’s the music, the dancing, or the storyline—I think everyone can take something away from it.”

Reporting by Tina Deng and Jennifer Tseng.

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