PURCHASE, N.Y.—Rebecca Rosen and James Breen attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, on April 21.

Ms. Rosen, a financial analyst in the energy industry, said she was very curious about Shen Yun when she came for the first time. “It’s my first time seeing the show. I have seen the advertisements, and I was very curious about it; I think it’s beautiful, the culture is beautiful, and I’m happy to experience it for myself. It’s things you don’t normally see, so I wanted to experience it.”

Mr. Breen, a realtor, was curious about China today. “I’m interested in learning more about what’s going on in China in the present day with the communist regime. So, the fact that this focuses on that to an extent is what made it interesting. You know, what caught my attention was when I saw the advertisements, and I heard people talking about it,” he said.

Overall, Mr. Breen said the production was “excellent.”

He could not say what stood out for him. “The whole performance. I mean, it all stands out. It’s just absolutely amazing. You know, you get so immersed in the show. The music just flows, and you look down [at the orchestra pit], and you realize it’s live. This isn’t a recording. That’s what makes it even more special,” he said.

“You bring reality to the people,” he said, “and what is happening in China. It’s very moving. It’s heartbreaking, also. There’re so many messages in the performance. And it’s depicted by the performers, the music itself, the narrators. It’s just wonderful.”

Mr. Bernal also resonated with Shen Yun’s spiritual message. “That’s another part that you bring into it, the whole spiritual aspect. I was a little taken aback [about] the atheism, and unfortunately, there are a lot of atheists out there.

“And you’re right: The one story [about the restaurant] actually depicts it well. We need more spirituality in our lives. And unfortunately, it’s getting lost. You’re really hitting on a lot of different topics. And it’s just very refreshing. I didn’t expect this. And it is absolutely wonderful,” he said.