Shen Yun Performing Arts will once more grace Washington D.C. with its highly anticipated 2025 season’s production for an extended run. Shen Yun will perform at the Kennedy Center Opera House from Feb. 20 through Feb. 23, Feb. 25 through Feb. 28, and March 1 and 2.
Theatergoers around the world have been praising Shen Yun’s message of peace and love, and last year’s audience in Washington enthusiastically joined in.
Neuroscientist Sharon Harris said, “The storytelling was amazing. Everything about it—the precision, all the colors, the story—just came to life.”
“To make that much out of two strings, it’s magnificent,” she said. “You could just feel the music from the inside.”
“The fact that they don’t do this production in China and that it has grown to where now they have multiple companies that perform all over the world—that’s a great thing,” said Greg Harris, a social worker.
“To get the story out, to share the story, to share the culture, to share about the history, that was very enriching.”
Uncorrupted Culture
“Being able to sit down and really witness the Chinese culture that hasn’t been corrupted by the Chinese Communist Party, I think it’s the most important to me. I imagine, if I could go to China without the Chinese Communist Party, this might be what it would be like,” said Mr. Spalding, currently a senior fellow at Hudson Institute.
Michelle Cloutier, a project manager, said, “[It] definitely is a gift from heaven.”
“Especially in the world we are living in now. It’s just very helpful. Watching the performers and how athletic they are but graceful at the same time—it’s just amazing. The idea of hope—This gift of hope is very inspiring,” she said.
“I would encourage any American to come and see, to learn about this beautiful culture in China,” she said. “Every time you see it, something could strike you and say, ‘Oh, I can read a relate to that,’” Ms. Cloutier said.
Dance and music are often hailed as universal languages that can transcend cultural barriers. Amit Ganjo, CEO of an aerospace company, said that he had no trouble understanding the performance.
“The body language, the expressions were very nicely done,” he said.
The different storylines “were very relatable because every story had a moral and a theme behind it,” Mr. Ganjo said.
Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), whose district is home to Shen Yun, said, “This show should be able to be seen around the world [in] every country.”
Another legislator, Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) watched Shen Yun with his daughter.
“I think it’s a great look back on Chinese culture before communism, and hopefully we return to that someday so that the people of China are free again,” he said.
Retired professor Mark Hurley said, “I liked that the dancing is linked to storytelling because that’s how people remember past traditions from generation to generation. The dances make it more memorable.”
“I think history has to be maintained. Tradition has to be maintained in China. I’m not sure that’s occurring today, but it’s good to see a company that actually preserves the memories of China and its history,” Mr. Hurley said.
This year, as Shen Yun is set to perform in over 200 cities around the world and across five continents, the 2025 touring season is shaping up to be the artists’ busiest yet and a glorious treat for theatergoers.
