“It’s beautiful, it’s visually stunning, the performers are fantastic, the colors, the concept, the music, the performance, it’s all just incredible,” said Mr. Jeyamohan, seeing the performance at Lincoln Center on April 12.

“It’s magical, it’s otherworldly,” Mr. Jeyamohan said. “It really connects you to a different way of life that we don’t see day to day here.”

Since the Chinese communist regime seized power in 1949, it has sought to destroy the traditional culture through violent campaigns such as the Cultural Revolution. Shen Yun aims to show audiences “China before communism” through the arts.

Construction company owners Gil and Deborah Ricardo felt this was a worthy mission.

Mr. Ricardo said the performance was colorful and ever-changing, always exciting, and to him conveyed an important message.

“It’s very exciting. The feel, the message they have, especially, they express what they have. Because everyone has a right to say what they feel. I think that’s the best show,” he said.

“I think their message says there is hope for people. I think being here in America, expressing hope for Americans, for everybody. What they’ve been through. What they’ve suffered. And they want to show through the music, through the show,  what it really means to be free. And also, believe in, even if you go through that, there’s always a way out.

“There’s somebody. There’s a hope for everybody. That’s what I believe in. That’s the show. I think it’s very important that you can know the other culture and other people. What they go through. That’s what I believe in,” he said.

“It is just beautiful. Gorgeous. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous,” she said. “Everything is amazing. The colors, the movements, and it’s beautiful. And I believe the culture is something that you have to preserve.”

She added that she had been very stressed since yesterday, but as soon as the performance began, that washed away.