Interviews by Judy Tao and Cindy Liu
NEW YORK, New York — On March 25, Shen Yun kicked off its annual run at the prestigious David H. Koch Theater in Lincoln Center. Dazzled by the show’s vibrant colors and gravity-defying acrobatics, theatergoers were thrilled to experience the return of the renowned performing arts troupe. Founded in 2006, Shen Yun Performing Arts is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, showcasing the beauty and grace of ancient Chinese culture through dance and music.
Based in New York, the company is composed by a group of talented artists from around the world, including musicians, soloists, choreographers, and dancers, with the goal of reviving and promoting 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture and values prior to the ravages of communism.
‘Not to be missed’
Among those in attendance on March 28 were Francesca, Luke, and Suzie, who said they have gone to see Shen Yun every year since 2014. “The show is amazing. I adopted my daughter from Guangzhou 18 years ago, and we come every year to Shen Yun. This year I happened to be in New York City, so I couldn’t miss the performance,” said Francesca, adding, “The dancers are beautiful. The costumes are amazing, and the music just makes you feel so good. Chinese culture is beautiful.”
When asked about whether she would recommend the show to others, Francesca said, “I would say it is not to be missed, and once you come once you’ll never miss it again — you’ll come every year.”
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Shen Yun’s performances aim not only to entertain, but also educate audiences on important social and political issues taking place in China today; all while providing a unique perspective on the human spirit and the importance of not taking certain freedoms for granted.
“We’ll pray that someday they’ll allow this type of artistic expression to be shown in China,” said Suzie, lamenting that the show cannot be shown in China due to the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong. Many of Shen Yun’s performers and staff are practitioners of Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, a traditional Chinese spiritual discipline rooted in the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. The faith was immensely popular in China prior to being banned and subject to severe repression by Chinese authorities starting in 1999.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” said Francesca, “I feel like Chinese nationals would love the show. There is nothing controversial.” When asked what she would rate the show out of 10, she said, “I’d give it 20.”
Luke, who’s currently studying at New York University, said he had “never experienced anything” like Shen Yun and praised the show for being “so beautiful.” When asked what stood out to him the most, he said he particularly enjoyed the two musical pieces and getting to experience the combination of Chinese instruments such as the erhu and harp alongside traditional Western instruments.
‘It was magical’
Also on March 28, friends Karen Grant and Linda Ramsey shared their impressions after experiencing Shen Yun Performing Arts for the first time, an evening they described as both visually stunning and emotionally uplifting.
“I feel fantastic. I’ve always wanted to see it,” said Grant, who attended the performance after friends surprised her with tickets. “The colors, the movement, the dance, and the music, everything was so beautiful.” She was particularly struck by the dancers’ fluidity, noting that “it was like they were floating, it felt so heavenly.”
Ramsey echoed the sentiment, emphasizing how the performance created a sense of lightness and wonder. “It was so soft and magical, like it was lifting you up,” she said, describing how the choreography and music worked together to create an immersive and unforgettable experience.
Both attendees had learned about Shen Yun through TV commercials and had been hoping to attend for over a year. Now that they had finally seen it, they were unequivocal about returning. “Yes, absolutely,” Grant said. “We would see it again and definitely recommend it to friends.”
Several pieces left a lasting impression. Grant highlighted a story involving a mystical transformation, while Ramsey pointed to a dynamic, martial arts–inspired dance as a standout moment. Another powerful segment depicted Buddhist figures reclaiming a stolen statue through courage and ingenuity, an episode that resonated deeply with the pair.
For Grant, the story carried a message of empowerment. “They were able to fight back and take back what rightfully belonged to them,” she said, adding that it reflected inner strength and determination. Ramsey, a student of women’s self-defense, also connected with this theme, noting that the performance reinforced ideas of resilience and inner power.
‘Excellent and beautiful’
Another audience member, Maria, shared her enthusiastic response after attending Shen Yun’s performance on March 28 alongside her husband, with the pair describing the performance as both visually striking and deeply memorable. When asked to sum up her experience in one word, she said, “Excellent and beautiful.”
Maria said she was especially impressed by the production’s visual elements. “The color, the dresses,” she noted, emphasizing how the vibrant costumes and presentation stood out throughout the performance. She also recognized the cultural significance behind the performance, pointing to its portrayal of tradition. “It’s very important to see traditional Chinese culture,” she said, adding that it was meaningful to see such heritage presented on stage.
When asked to rate the performance, Maria gave it top marks without hesitation. “10 out of 10,” she said, “100 percent.”
‘It was gorgeous’
Yesenia, who also attended the show with her husband on March 28, shared her admiration for Shen Yun, describing the performance as both technically impressive and visually captivating. “I thought that they were so beautiful, so precise, very fluid,” she said. “I thought the dancing was gorgeous.”
One piece in particular stood out to her. “My favorite dance was the water sleeves and their ability to control the prop. It was very good,” Yesenia noted, highlighting the performers’ precision and control. She also reflected on the ethereal quality of the dancers. “Absolutely, they’re gorgeous… very divine and beautiful,” she said, agreeing that the performance conveyed a sense of elevated beauty and grace.
When asked about the broader cultural context, including the suppression of such performances under communism, Yesenia expressed concern. “I think that that’s very unfortunate. I think it’s a beautiful art, and it should be appreciated.”
‘Wonderful’
On March 25, New York natives Tracie Bonilla and Edward Arcabascio attended Shen Yun’s performance in Lincoln Center and described it as both “wonderful” and unexpectedly educational. “It was wonderful,” said Bonilla, who works as a commercial banker. Among the many performances, one in particular stood out to both of them. “My favorite part was actually the one where they were projecting about Communist China and how they were persecuting those who were into religion. That was very fascinating.”
Neither Bonilla nor Arcabascio had prior knowledge of Falun Gong before attending. “We didn’t know that until today, so that’s why we were very interested,” the pair said.
Arcabascio, who works as a real estate appraiser, noted that the performance offered more than just entertainment. “It was very educational. I learned a lot about Chinese culture, a lot about Asian culture in general. So it was a very good experience.” The couple also praised the musical composition. “The music was wonderful. I liked the mix of the Western and the eastern culture. Really was very nice,” Arcabascio said. “It’s the first time we’ve heard of erhu, and we really enjoyed it. It was amazing.”
Aside from showcasing stunning choreography, acrobatics, and a live orchestra that combines traditional Western and classical Chinese instruments, Shen Yun’s performances also depict legends and historical stories from ancient China as well as modern tales of bravery and oppression taking place in China today.
Beyond the music, the pair appreciated the show’s broader cultural message. “There was a lot of diversity in it, Mongolian, Chinese, Taiwanese,” Bonilla observed. “I do think that the depiction of modern day shows you that it’s best we go back to the old tradition. I think that was the biggest thing that I took out of this today.”
When asked what they would tell friends about the performance, their answer was immediate. “Go see it right away before they leave town,” Bonilla said. Arcabascio agreed, adding, “Go see it, you’ll learn a lot about culture… and a lot about the way communism is and how [Shen Yun] overcame that.”
Shen Yun will perform at Lincoln Center through April 12. For more information on Shen Yun Performing Arts, including FAQs and ticketing information, please visit the official website here.
