All three of Shen Yun’s performances in McAllen, Texas, sold out. The closing performance was met with roaring applause.
Among audience members was Lisa Ayala Hettler, owner of a media company and a former local reporter for ABC News.
“I thought it was amazing. It was magical, it was exuberant. It just really kind of transported us I believe to another time and place. And I thought it was exquisite, the dancers, the way that they move, the ballet, all the intricate work–footwork-and their arms and everything. It was just lovely,” said Hettler.
Hettler is a dancer herself, but she said anyone, dancer or not, would enjoy the show.
“Anyone who has even the slightest interest in dance or performance, please come out and enjoy this, because if you’ve never danced, if you’ve danced your entire life, you will love it,” she said.
“It was marvelous. Loved all the colorful costumes and the beautiful yellow blossom dance, the Tibetan drums, just beautiful,” said Maureen Parce, an antique dealer. “This was just the chance of a lifetime to see this tonight. It was just wonderful.”
Audience member Roman Ramos found the show’s message of courage spoke to him.
“I believe in today’s world with so many challenges, we are afraid to speak out, to fight for what we believe. There was one performance where‚—a couple of them—where they fought for what they believed and even if they had to die for what they knew was true, the truth, to me that just touched my heart, and encouraged me to continue in my life,” he said.
Shen Yun will be performing next in Midland, Texas, and Salt Lake City, Utah.