ORANGE PARK, Fla.—Retired U.S. Navy Stephen Mansfield thought Shen Yun Performing Arts was fantastic after he attended its evening show at Thrasher-Horne Center on April 8.

Its artists are seeking to revive the glory of China’s 5,000 years of history and share with the world—through a series of short dance pieces—all that is good and beautiful.

“[Our civilization] is at a crossroads right now. This could be a turning point that could end up being the end of humanity as we know it.”

The show takes you back to a time when China hadn’t forgotten their deity, they hadn’t forgotten their tradition, their art, and the wonderful gifts that were bestowed, he said.

Though Shen Yun has received worldwide welcome and acclaim since its founding in 2006, the artists faced an endless stream of harassment and interference by the Chinese Communist Party.

Even now, they are banned from performing in China.

Mr. Mansfield thought this was “such a shame.” For him, it was also a peek into the dangers that the United States is facing.

“When I sit back and watch the performance, I can’t help but think that if things keep on regressing toward communism, we may never get to watch a performance like this anywhere.”

The message Mr. Mansfield will be taking home with him is that we should all remember and cherish the beauty of China before communism.

“I want life to be, for both the Chinese people and for us here, to be free.”