COSTA MESA, Calif.—Brea Mayor Blair Stewart brought his family to see Shen Yun at Costa Mesa’s Segerstrom Center for the Arts on Saturday evening.

“It’s exhilarating. The performances are otherworldly,” said Mr. Stewart, who said he would be coming back next time Shen Yun is in town.

Alongside the performers, Mr. Stewart, a former city councilman, said he was stunned by the digital backdrop.

“I’ve never seen anything like that. I’ve never seen any graphics like that before. So again, blown away. Blown away by the performances and the graphics.”

Shen Yun’s patented digital backdrop is one of a kind. The versatility of technology allows the set to change scenes in the blink of an eye.

“Her voice told a story that took me on a journey,” he said of the soprano.

“Peace. That’s the message that I got from the song. Yes, there might be some challenges, but the peacefulness from the song, it’s soothed me.”

“I’m amazed. I’m just so thankful to be able to be here this evening, to be able to share this with my family, and to be able to take part in it.”