The beautiful western city of Colorado Springs is preparing to welcome Shen Yun Performing Arts from March 28–30. Shen Yun will perform at the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts.
Shen Yun’s performances have delighted theatergoers around the world, and Colorado Springs audiences in past years have joined in with enthusiasm.
Shen Yun’s mission is to share the divinely-inspired culture of “China before communism,” which theatergoers have appreciated for its authentic look into China’s past.
“I enjoyed seeing the portrayal of China before communism,” Brent Epps, vice president of a transportation company, said when he watched Shen Yun in 2023.
“It was nice to see the peacefulness and the beauty of the scenery, backdrops, and the dancers. It was interesting to see how they portrayed that life before communism in China compared to nowadays with the persecution that they go through.”
Lisa Kaake, a Colorado-based actress, freelance designer, and author, was also impressed by Shen Yun when she attended last year.
“Being transported back to ancient China and to see the beliefs and spirituality of the Chinese people, the traditions and legends, and lose yourself in the experience as an audience member, was beautiful,” she said.
Artistry and Talent
Professional dancer Elizabeth Morales appreciated the dancers’ artistic ability.
“It was breathtaking,” she said. “As a dancer, I loved watching the art, the artistry. Not only is it incredible they can lift their leg up that high, but just the flow of the movement, the precision of their arms. As a dancer, I know how hard that is, [yet] it looks so effortless as well. It was breathtaking, it was beautiful.”
The beauty of Shen Yun’s performance was not the only element that left a deep impression on Ms. Morales. When she saw one of the story-based dances depicting the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of followers of faith in modern-day China, Ms. Morales said the performance made her reflect and contemplate as well.
“The scenes where there was more turmoil involved, just really sitting and thinking like, wow, what would it be like to be able to be persecuted for just wanting to practice my beliefs the way I want to? So that was very thought-provoking for me.”
“I just feel really full of life right now,” actor Mark Haptonstall said. “I love the show. It’s absolutely amazing, very uplifting [and] inspiring, just like this purity of spirit.”
“Even just seeing the commercials, it would stir something inside of me, kind of like springtime, a feeling of renewal and faith,” he said.
Shen Yun’s message of goodness and kindness resonated with others.
“There’s a divine message in there that there’s something greater than just what we are doing here on this earth,” said Paul Lagatta, a network technician. “[The performance] showed us that there’s good in all mankind. We need to be compassionate and love one another. I think if more of that can be passed on, maybe we can change.”
Bryan and Jenna Helgesen brought their daughter Emma to the performance in 2022.
“In the news, we only hear about the communist perspective of the world and China,” Mr. Helgesen said. “[The performance] made me feel very happy for the Chinese people. I think the Chinese people are beautiful and I like them. I like the messages that the performance sent as well.”
Semi-retired jazz musician Adam Johnston took note of Shen Yun’s live orchestra. He was impressed by the East-meets-West orchestra. Some of the key Chinese instruments that feature in the music are the two-stringed erhu, the pipa, and the bugle-like suona.
“It’s probably hard to combine. That’s the beauty, that you are able to combine the Eastern instruments with the Western instruments and make a beautiful sound and do it for a whole show is very good,” he said.
Biomedical engineer Dan King said, “I’ll be telling others about this experience. It’s been very, very good.”
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.
For Colorado Springs and nearby cities in Colorado, including Denver, Cheyenne, Riverside, theatergoers can book tickets by visiting ShenYun.com/tickets
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
