SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun ‘Was Medicine for Us,’ Says Filmmaker

Mar 25, 2025

3/25/2025Updated: 3/25/2025

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario—Anthony and Joanne Sherwood felt Shen Yun Performing Arts was a balm for the world-weary, and after seeing the world-renowned classical Chinese dance company for the first time, said they would be recommending it.

“The music and the visual was medicine for us,” said Mr. Sherwood, award-winning actor and documentary filmmaker, referencing the idea that in ancient China music was medicine, as audiences learned during the performance. He and his wife, who is retired from the event planning industry, attended the March 25 performance at the Living Arts Centre.

“It was just soothing to the soul, considering what we’re going through, all the stressing events that are going on right now. It was just so peaceful, so serene,” Mrs. Sherwood.

New York-based Shen Yun is the world’s top classical Chinese dance company. Through music and dance, Shen Yun’s mission is to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, and show audiences the beauty of China before communism.

“The show was amazing, absolutely amazing. The costumes were beautiful, the set changes were amazing,“ Mr. Sherwood said. ”The story and learning so much about Chinese culture was amazing as well.”

As an actor, Mr. Sherwood said he could appreciate what the artists had put into creating a performance of this caliber.

“I appreciate the training that’s involved to give such a wonderful performance. The commitment to the art form is absolutely amazing. And the spirit of their culture you see in their faces and in their dance, amazing,“ he said. ”We do not hear any words, but everything that they’re feeling is expressed in their facial expressions. And you can tell what they’re feeling, and you can tell their character by their expression in their face.”

The Sherwoods added that they loved the unique stagecraft and how the dancers on stage coordinated seamlessly with a digital backdrop.

“It was just outstanding. We’re so pleased,” Mrs. Sherwood said. “Congratulations, it’s a beautiful show and we will recommend it.”

Reporting by Xinxin Teng and Catherine Yang.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.