PORTLAND, Ore.—On the evening of Jan. 21, poet and personal banker Michael Sullivan attended
Shen Yun Performing Arts for the first time, accompanied by Jackie Posey, who was returning for her second performance. Both of them thoroughly enjoyed the show.
Mr. Sullivan thought the experience was beautiful and captivating.
“One of the most wonderful performances I’ve ever seen,” he said. “I can’t just pick [a favorite.] There’s no way. They were all beautifully rendered and choreographed. I couldn’t imagine anything better.”
Ms. Posey couldn’t agree more. “That’s amazing. I’m just so impressed with everything about the show,” she exclaimed. “Very nicely done.”
Based in New York, Shen Yun’s performance is comprised of a series of short pieces that take its audience on a ride through the dynasties and across the vast regions of China. Using classical Chinese, folk, and ethnic dances, as well as solo musical performances, Shen Yun tells tales from
ancient times to the modern day.
“It was one of the purest expressions of art. I would say pure art. Transcends time,” Mr. Sullivan expressed. “Beautiful, beautiful.”
He also loved the solo performance by the
erhu—an ancient Chinese instrument that is reminiscent of the human voice. Though it only has two strings, it is capable of expressing a wide range of emotions.
Having never seen or heard of this ancient instrument before, Mr. Sullivan was delighted to have the opportunity to enjoy this brand-new experience.
Reflecting on the artists’ goal to revive China’s 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture that was all but destroyed by decades of
communist rule, Mr. Sullivan said this is “an ultra-important” mission.
“Everybody has the right to express themselves. The best way that we can do that is through art in its various forms.”
Despite being well-loved by audiences around the world, Shen Yun is currently forbidden by the ruling Chinese regime from performing in China. In fact, many of the company’s founding members had fled to America to escape
persecution by the communist party.
Though Mr. Sullivan does not like to pass judgment, he firmly believes the ban imposed by the communist regime is wrong.
“I think everybody should be able to express themselves however they wish as long as it doesn’t hurt other people. That’s what I truly believe,” he said. “I’m just happy to be here.”
Mr. Sullivan will one hundred percent be recommending the performance to his friends and family. If ever given the opportunity to speak with
Shen Yun’s performers, he would like to ask where they get their inspiration from.
“I’m a poet myself, and I just love to talk to other artists and see how they’re inspired,” he said.
For its
2025 touring season, Shen Yun’s eight equally-sized companies will be performing in over 200 cities across five continents. Met with wide acclaim since its establishment in 2006, the company can be expected to return each year with a brand-new set of choreography and musical compositions.
Reporting by Frank Zhang and Jennifer Tseng.
