SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun Is ‘An Expression of All That Is Good About China,’ Says Retired CEO

Mar 09, 2023

DENVER—Mark Crossen, the retired CEO of Amrion Nutraceuticals, experienced Shen Yun for the first time on March 8. Sitting in the audience at The Buell Theatre, Mr. Crossen thought the whole show was otherworldly.

“The performers had to be world-class. They are well-trained and extremely talented. They seemed superhuman as they moved and danced and leaped through the air,” he exclaimed.

“I’ve never seen costumes that were so extraordinary in every way.”

Mr. Crossen wanted to see Shen Yun because he heard that “there was a depiction of deep spirituality.” He was not disappointed at all.

“It was beautiful! There was a celestial presence in all of it. I loved the show.”

“[Shen Yun] was depicting life in another realm—a realm of beauty, strength, virtue, and all the things that I think every culture in the world would like to epitomize.”

The mission of New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts is to bring back China’s lost culture and its belief in the divine through beautiful art.

Since its advent in 2006, the performing arts company has grown to become a global sensation with eight equally sized companies set to perform in over 180 cities worldwide.

Mr. Crossen also loved that each of Shen Yun’s programs “had a special message and meaning.” He was especially touched by the story dance depicting the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of Falun Gong—a peaceful meditation practice in the Buddhist tradition.

Prior to the communist takeover in 1949 and the regime’s spread of atheism, Chinese people had a deep belief in the divine. The whole foundation of China’s civilization was built on values and virtues from the spiritual teachings of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism.

However, within decades of communist rule, this culture was completely destroyed. Even today, millions of Chinese people are imprisoned for refusing to give up their faith.

“The message needs to get out across the world. Great injustices are being committed against these good people,” Mr. Crossen expressed. “I’ve heard about the pillars of [Falun Gong]— truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance—that’s what China needs more than anything today.”

“To stand up against oppression is beautiful and powerful and courageous. I really honor it and admire what [Shen Yun] is doing.”

Mr. Crossen further added that the performance “is an expression of all that’s good about Chinese culture and the people of China.” It was the most beautiful presentation he had ever seen.

“I’m glad there’s freedom of religion in the United States so that [the artists of Shen Yun] can practice their faith without persecution. I’d like to wish them the best and hope they find that freedom in the future in China.”

Reporting by NTD 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.