“It’s fascinating. I think the dancing is unbelievable. And the flexibility of the dancers is phenomenal. So, it’s beautiful. A lot of fun to see. [We’re] enjoying it very much,” said Steve Zabka, a retired advertising agency chief operating officer.

Mr. Zabka was struck by “the discipline of the dancers,” commenting, “They’re so unified. It’s amazing that they’re able to do that.”

Shen Yun’s mission is to revive 5,000 years of Chinese culture and civilization. After the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) took power in China, it systematically destroyed and distorted Chinese history and culture.

“Tradition is so important in any culture. So I think trying to bring that back is really important,” commented Mr. Zabka.

The destruction of the CCP extends to moral values as well as numerous violations of human rights, including the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China today.

Mr. Zabka shared that the dance that stood out to him depicted “the persecution of the girl that was practicing [Falun Gong] ... trying to become a better person.”

He expressed that seeing the dance “was heartbreaking.”

Mr. Zabka’s wife, Joan, said that in Shen Yun, she saw “the strength and courage of fighting for their culture and keeping it alive for generations to come.”

“I think they do a fabulous job integrating that into the storylines. I think it’s really, really cool,” said Mr. Zabka.

With a granddaughter about to go to China to study, the couple expressed their wish for their grandchildren to see Shen Yun as well.

“They need to see it. So much culture and music and dance and the strength of the performers and how fluid and together they are is very, very entertaining,” said Mrs. Zabka.