SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun’s Exciting New Production Coming to Hononlulu

May 01, 2025

5/1/2025Updated: 5/1/2025

The beautiful island paradise of Honolulu will host Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Blaisdell Concert Hall from May 8 through 10.

The New York-based performing arts company has become popular the world over since its inception in 2006, and Honolulu is no exception.

David R. Stilwell, former assistant secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said in 2022, “I’ve had many opportunities to come and see Shen Yun, but there’s always something else going on. … So thanks to some folks here in town who made it easy to come, and I’m very glad I did. It’s a nice feel to capture the spiritual aspects of Chinese culture.”

David R. Stilwell, former assistant secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, at the Shen Yun performance in Honolulu, Hawaii, on March 26, 2022. (NTD) — David R. Stilwell, former assistant secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, at the Shen Yun performance in Honolulu, Hawaii, on March 26, 2022. NTD

After two long years of pandemic restrictions in 2022, an afternoon at Shen Yun amounted to a grand celebration for Daniel Hoff, a principal at XL Mission Critical, which is responsible for the telecommunications infrastructure on the island of Hawaii.

“We need celebration. And to come together as a community and enjoy is such a beautiful passion. It’s something we missed. This is vital as food, as it’s a mental and emotional spiritual stimulation. And we need it. We’ve been hungry for it.”

When he attended Shen Yun in 2019, photographer Michael Guigui said, “If you’re not familiar with Chinese culture, this is the best way to familiarize yourself with it.”

“And I think it’s important for culture not to die out there. So many cultures that are dying out and being lost. Information is being lost. This is one of the best ways to be a part of culture before it fades,” he said.

The classical Chinese dance company is currently on tour, bringing back traditional Chinese culture for modern audiences around the world. Through music and dance, New York-based Shen Yun takes audience members on a tour through 5,000 years of Chinese civilization before communism.

Homero Capatti at Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu, Hawaii, on May 5, 2019. (Sally Sun/The Epoch Times) — Homero Capatti at Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu, Hawaii, on May 5, 2019. Sally Sun/The Epoch Times

Pianist Homero Capatti was enthralled by both the music and dance presented in a 2019 performance, but also by a deeper meaning revealed behind the movements.

“I felt much more of the spiritual side of the dance than the technique,” he said, adding that while he appreciated the outstanding technique, he was uplifted by the spirit he felt from the dancers.

Malana Paige, a project administrator, used to be a professional dancer, and so appreciated the skill of the dancers on stage.

“They’re amazing, they’re all excellent. They’re flawless,” she said. “I love dance, I love [the] culture of dance, and just the gracefulness of the ladies and [their] preciseness.”

“It’s nice to see the culture preserved, and the spiritual side,” said Bruce Paige, an attorney. “It’s nice to see it’s still young people doing it and promoting it and continuing it on. It’s just like the Hawaiian dance. Nice to see the culture keep thriving and, hopefully, the language, the dance all move forward. And stay in the younger generation.”

Bruce and Malana Paige at Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu, Hawaii, on May 4, 2019. (Yi Li/The Epoch Times) — Bruce and Malana Paige at Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu, Hawaii, on May 4, 2019. Yi Li/The Epoch Times

Working in the entertainment world in Hawaii, Colleen Ogura, a DJ for Japanese radio, sees many different types of cultural shows.

“This is really professional. I work in entertainment all the time, but this is very good,” she said. Her perception of the spiritual essence of Shen Yun was that “it’s very pure” when she attended the performance in 2015.

Alistair Rokstad, a residential photovoltaic designer for Haleakala Solar, said, “I’m glad that they can have that venue outside of China since there’s persecution against them,” referring to the Chinese communist regime banning Shen Yun from the country and actively trying to prevent its performances elsewhere.

“It’s wonderful that they’re able to share the traditional values in this performance. It’s awesome,” he said.

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 theater goers.

For Honolulu and nearby cities, including San Luis Obispo, Hollywood, and Guadalajara, 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.