MESA, Ariz.—David and Darlene Bond saw Shen Yun Performing Arts for the first time at the Ikeda Theater at Mesa Arts Center on Feb. 11, and applauded the artists, as well as their mission to show “China before communism.”

“I agree 100 percent,” Mrs. Bond said.

“Freedom’s better. Culture is better. It’s just a better way to treat each other,” added Mr. Bond, a civil engineer.

Mrs. Bond said it was a shame that Shen Yun cannot perform in China, “because it’s an amazing culture.”

“It’s amazing to get to see it here,” she added.

“And the video effects as they transition from real life to video graphics ... is very well done,” he said. “Very impressed.”

Mrs. Bond said the experience was “just beautiful and peaceful and thoroughly enjoyable, definitely.”

Mr. Bond said it was also a nice break from the normal routine of life, telling instead that “there’s a higher power and a bigger story than what we deal with on Earth.”

“We’ve come from somewhere, and we’re here for a reason,” Mrs. Bond added. “Just a beautiful story.”

To his surprise, someone from China told him that they refused to see the performance—and he said after seeing the performance himself, Mr. Mahaney said he suspected they had only been repeating propaganda disseminated by the Chinese Communist Party, which has banned Shen Yun from performing in China and even tried to block it from performing in other countries.

“It’s a fabulous show,” said Mr. Mahaney. “Great traditional Chinese dancing, great storytelling, the screen in the back transports you to the heavens, so to speak, so I’m having a wonderful time.”