Boston Audience: Shen Yun, the Real China

Shen Yun’s two performances on Nov. 13 and 14 at the historic Boch Theater in Boston were highly anticipated. The classical Chinese dance company attracted audience members from all walks of life.

"We love the performance, the theater, the music, the dancing, the singing. Everything about it, the aesthetic was totally unique, different than anything we've seen before," said Angus Jennings, town manager of West Newbury, Massachusetts.

"The performance is fantastic. I've heard about it for years, and we finally get a chance to come see it. And, you know, the musicians are fantastic. I thought the message is very positive," said Jeff Gruneich, a business owner. "I've known for a long time that there's sort of a controversy in mainland China. And it's unfortunate because the message is very positive."

Each year, Shen Yun tours around the world but cannot perform in mainland China because there are pieces depicting the Chinese regime's ongoing persecution of Falun Gong, a spiritual practice following the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), atheist by nature, has been brutally persecuting practitioners Falun Gong for over 20 years.

"It's amazing. And it's brave that they're doing this. Because somewhere in this gigantic United States, the China that nobody likes is here, wanting to stop this, you know," said Ken Yergeau, a trumpet player. "And thank God, they're not because the show is amazing. And they need to tell their story."

Shen Yun has a mission to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture, which the CCP has systematically been dismantling for decades.

"When I first get the tickets, it's like, we're going to see something about China, and we don't always like China. But this is so good because it shows what China is all about. It's really amazing, yes, what the old China is. And it's beautiful. It's great," he added.

"I think that mission is fantastic. I think you've got your work cut out for you. You need to move probably 10 million people's minds in mainland China to see a different way. But I think can be done, keep working," said Gruneich.

Traditional Chinese culture is rooted in spirituality. Shen Yun aims to portray those ancient values on stage through classical Chinese dance.

"I thought it's really about hope. And it's about, you know, fighting each other and having compassion with each other. And it's expressed in the dance and in the music and the humour. So it was very enjoyable," said Jeff Gruneich.

"Keep going. I mean, keep doing what you're doing. To get political change to stick it takes a long time. Be patient and be positive with your message in what you're doing matters. Thank you," he added.

Shen Yun will perform in New Jersey next weekend.

NTD News, Boston, Massachusetts.