Shen Yun Performing Arts performed at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Feb. 21. Audience members were impressed by the performers’ skill and artistry.

“From the very beginning, it was clear that the production value was very, very high,” said Adam Slick, a marketing director. “The interaction with the screen, with the performers, kind of appearing and reappearing from the screen, was incredible. I don’t even know how they did it, and that kind of added a little magic to the show.”

“There’s such precision in the art form. Just very impeccable timing, the sequencing of the dance moves, and I think also just the message that they’re delivering in their dance and just following all the different traditions, it’s really impressive. It was unfamiliar to me, and so I’m really enjoying the show,” said Jason Groenewold, a real estate developer.

Shen Yun’s mission is to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture from before communism. A culture that the Chinese communist regime has been trying to destroy since taking power in 1949.

Mr. Slick said, “I think there’s a negative perception of China under communism, and I don’t think a lot of people know about the tradition that happened before those times. And I think if more Americans understood how beautiful the country was, and the culture, that they'd have a better appreciation for it.”

“The message that I’ve gotten so far is the desire to really honor the traditional beliefs and faith and practices of the Chinese people. I was especially impressed with some of the references to the Taoist views and philosophy, of what I know of, that I have a lot of respect. And so it just felt to me that there was a real reverence for tradition,” Mr. Groenewold said.

Based in New York, Shen Yun was founded 20 years ago and has grown to eight companies that tour the world simultaneously. Each year, the company brings a brand-new performance, featuring new dances, music, and backdrops.

Zuny Gonzalez, an office manager at Bethany Christian Services, said, “Shen Yun just exudes that love for their country, their faith, their tradition, and freedom. They cherish freedom, which is what we’re all about here.”

Mr. Groenewold said, “I was really touched by the performance of the singer and the piano player, what they were sharing about wanting to bring back some of the traditional ways.”

Mr. Gonzalez said, “This was beauty, grace, truth, and kindness and compassion all wrapped up in one, just beauty and skill. I just can’t say enough about this production.”

Shen Yun will be in Salt Lake City, Utah, from March 13  to March 18.

NTD News, Charlotte, North Carolina

NTD is a media sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts, covering audience reactions since 2006.