WASHINGTON, D.C.—Mark Hurley, a retired professor who taught military subjects in northern Virginia, enjoyed Shen Yun’s evening performance at The Kennedy Center Opera House on Feb. 2. This was the seventh of the company’s 10 consecutive performances in Washington, D.C.

Standing in the lobby of the theater at the show’s conclusion, Mr. Hurley said Shen Yun Performing Arts was “very good.”

“It’s clearly creative beyond measure. Very well done, definitely top level,” he expressed.

Though Mr. Hurley has never been to Asia, he was impressed by Shen Yun’s portrayal of Chinese history and the artists’ mission to bring back traditional culture.

“I liked that the dancing is linked to storytelling because that’s how people remember past traditions from generation to generation. The dances make it more memorable,” he said.

“I think history has to be maintained—tradition has to be maintained in China. I’m not sure that’s occurring today, but it’s good to see a company that actually preserves the memories of China and its history.”

For this reason, the show is banned by the Chinese communist regime from performing in China.

As a seasoned professor, Mr. Hurley recognized the educational merit of Shen Yun’s performance. He, too, frequently used storytelling as a pedagogical tool in his teaching.

“It’s an excellent feeling,” he stated. “I learned something from the dancers and [understood] how committed they are to their craft.”

Referring to the spiritual element of the performance, Mr. Hurley said it’s obvious that “these are hard-working people, and they’re motivated by a higher power and a higher being.”

“I’m very glad to see that,” he added. “You don’t normally see that in a communist country with regard to spiritual and religious freedom. It’s not part of the [communist] tenets.”