SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun’s Message Elevates You in Every Way, Says Company Owner

Feb 04, 2024

McALLEN, Texas—After watching Shen Yun Performing Arts for the first time at the McAllen Performing Arts Center, company owner Normally Villarreal said the show was “a piece of heaven and earth for all of us.”

Though Ms. Villarreal learned about Shen Yun a few years ago while traveling for work, she never got the chance to attend until the evening of Feb. 3.

“It has been something that I have waited for so long, and I’m so pleased to be here. I’m thrilled to tears. I absolutely loved it,” she said with tears in her eyes.

Based in New York, Shen Yun was established in 2006 by a group of leading Chinese artists who had fled the persecution of the communist party.

For thousands of years, Chinese people were very spiritual and believed that their culture was a gift from the heavens. Yet under the communist regime’s violent rule and it spread of atheism, China’s 5,000 years of traditional culture were forced to the brink of extinction.

Shen Yun is now dedicated to reviving these traditions and showcasing to the world, through dance and music, the beauty of China before communism.

“This performance really touches the soul, and your heart is filled with music and dance, and the message [it shared.] This message should be given to all the world so everybody can be united and feel more love for each other. The way it was presented here was so wonderfully artistic and professional,” she expressed.

“I absolutely loved all the music, all the colors, and the way that these young people handled the energy and the joy to present this for us. It has been spectacular.”

For Ms. Villarreal, Shen Yun’s message is one of appreciation. It is urging everyone to cherish traditional culture and values—principles such as truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

“Shen Yun had these virtues explained. In so many different ways, you can have this message of Shen Yun with you to remind you of these values and virtues,” she shared.

“I really appreciated this message because this message elevates everybody, no matter your age, your culture, your beliefs—this elevates you in every way.”

While reflecting on Shen Yun’s short storyline dance that highlights the ongoing persecution of people of faith by the Chinese Communist Party, Ms. Villarreal said she believes that “justice and fairness can be brought in every part of the world.”

“If all of us focus in on these virtues, these values that [Shen Yun] is sharing with us today, [the persecution] will end. The more people that try to live by these principles—it will make everybody more peaceful, strong in justice, fairness and respect,” she shared.

“We need respect because respect goes before love. When we have respect for others, then we can all be together as a unity in peace.”

Reporting by Yeawen Hung and Jennifer Tseng.

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