SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Values Portrayed in Shen Yun ‘Very Important for the World,’ Detroit Audience Member Says

May 05, 2023

DETROIT—Shen Yun Performing Arts is letting the world know what China was like before communism, a place where traditional values were important.

“It’s very important for the world today,” Matt Pollick, a chief operating officer (COO) for an automotive industry company, said of the portrayal of such values.

“If you look at the ... reduced freedoms we’re seeing in the world, I think it’s very important,” he said.

China has a continuous history of 5,000 years with dynasties coming and going, but its accumulated values and traditions have nearly been destroyed upon the communists forcibly taking power in 1949.

“If you look at China prior to communism, it had all these multicultural areas, and every different area of China was different. I think afterward, everything becomes monolithic, boring, and restricted,” he said.

Shen Yun is based in New York, and it is dedicated to reviving traditional Chinese culture.

“I think it’s a beautiful experience. I like the way it represents China before,” said Terren Bonkowski, also a COO.

Shen Yun’s performance draws inspiration from Chinese literature, history, and mythology. The Chinese ethnic dances from minorities such as the Tibetans and Yi presented.

“You can get a little bit of all of it in this show. You can feel some of the celebration for the environment,” said Ms. Bonkowski.

Shen Yun’s dancers are trained in classical Chinese dance, a versatile and expressive dance style.

Mr. Pollick was impressed with “how everyone is so synchronized, how well-trained they all are.”

As someone who has lived in China, Ms. Bonkowski felt a similarity when experiencing Shen Yun.

“I lived for several years in China, so it feels very familiar,” she said.

“I thought it was wonderful. I love the long sleeve dances. I think they’re probably the most gorgeous dances that they have. The water sleeve and the last snow dance,” she added.

Shen Yun’s use of the digital backdrop is patented. With this technology, the performance can switch settings in the blink of an eye.

“It’s great, wonderful. I like how they disappear into the screen and come back out using the projector in the back and all. It’s great. It’s fantastic,” said Mr. Pollick.

Reporting by Nancy Ma and Maria Han.

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