Musician Says of Shen Yun: ‘The Show is Amazing’

ESCONDIDO, Calif.—Theatergoers at Escondido’s California Center for the Arts were treated to a dazzling performance by Shen Yun Performing Arts New York Company on this warm May evening, celebrating 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture and history.

China was once known as the Land of the Divine and Shen Yun’s mission is to revive the splendor of China’s ancient culture, transporting the audience into a majestic world of color and grace through dance, music, folklore and breathtaking images.

Among the audience was Denise Morill, a singer, writer and producer in music business, who attended the show with her family.

“I love it. It’s wonderful," said Ms. Morill. "I love the history [and] visually, it’s very beautiful.”

Commenting on the educational and entertaining aspects of Shen Yun, Ms. Morill explained, “I really enjoyed learning. I love the stories. I didn’t expect that. So I’ve been enjoying it very much.“

“And it’s funny; the humor is great,” she added.

"I love the color,” Ms. Morill observed of the sumptuous handmade costumes and vibrant digital backdrop that displays images of blossoming landscapes, deep forests, Mongolian prairies, or celestial paradises.

Ms. Morill also remarked on the intricate classical Chinese dance, saying, “The dancing is wonderful. It’s really wonderful, you watch, the way they’re moving their bodies is really extraordinary. When they move their feet, [it] looks like they glide.

“The culture is amazing. It’s sad at the same time, to know what is going on there right now” Ms. Morill said commenting on the dances that depict life under China's authoritarian regime, where freedom of expression and belief is violently suppressed.

Ms. Morill acknowledged appreciatively, “What’s beautiful about China is who they were before all that oppression started and that’s what we’re seeing here. And that’s what’s so beautiful—showing us what China is really about.”

“I think it’s amazing. You can see all of China’s history; it’s for us to know! It's 5,000 years … of incredible culture. The show is amazing and the dances are incredible; really amazing. I think everybody should come,” Ms. Morill concluded.

Reporting by Flora Ge and Masha Savitz.