SAN FRANCISCO—Shen Yun’s opening performance at San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera house won the praise of Charles Symes, who came with one of his employees, Bernatta Grudstrum, in celebration of his birthday. 

“The show was absolutely beautiful,” said Mr. Symes, founder of Arcadia Health Care San Francisco Group of Offices. “The costumes were sensational. The performers were spectacular!”

Mr. Symes has worked in home health for over 28 years and is an affiliate owner of Arcadia Home Care and Staffing, a full-service home care agency.

Ms. Grudstrum was equally impressed following the matinee performance.

“The dances were absolutely magnificent,” she said. “I like the discipline of all the structure of the performances—it’s beautiful.”

Shen Yun’s opening scene, titled Grand Decent of the Deities, touched Mr. Symes with its synchronicity of the dancers who also played drums.

“The unison of the male drummer dance corp was spectacular,” he said. “Everything was as one—even though there were 50 on stage. Just brilliant.”

Mr. Symes knows that it takes hard work to form the unity he saw on stage, and he wants the dancers to know that today’s audience is grateful for their efforts.

“[Shen Yun] works hard to make it as precise as possible, and I hope that they get as much satisfaction as being close or perfect as the audience gets from it,” he said.

“It’s really well done, effortless to the eye,” he added. “But we know there are hours and hours—a lifetime—of practicing.”

One of Shen Yun’s artists particularly struck both Mr. Symes and Ms. Grudstrum.

“The soprano was incredible, and it was the very first singer … she had this powerful voice,” said Ms. Grudstrum, recalling Soloist Soprano and Principle Dancer Rachael Yuning Bastick’s song, titled “Why do you refuse?”

“The soprano was sensational,” commented Mr. Symes.

Ms. Grudstrum was impressed by Rachael Yuning Bastick’s performance both as a dancer and singer.

“She’s my model,” Ms. Grudstrum said. “Because I dance—since in college I danced all the way, and I like singing too. So I really appreciate her.”

When asked what he would tell his friends about the performance, Mr. Symes said, “Come! Come to the show! And come every year!”

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts. 

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.