Live dancers, singers, and full orchestra present China Before Communism
Each spring, Shen Yun presents an all-new show to Colorado audiences. With their signature orchestra featuring both Chinese and Western instruments accompanying scores of the most impressive dancers in the world, Shen Yun brings classic stories to life alongside contemporary tales of courage and compassion. Their patented digital backdrops bring scenes into vivid reality and transport viewers into magical worlds.
All told, the experience is unlike anything you've ever seen before, but what really sets Shen Yun apart goes beyond their technical and artistic skill, it's the group's mission of reviving traditional Chinese culture.
The communist revolution in China resulted in the almost complete destruction of traditional Chinese culture. With an unbroken lineage of 5000 years, Chinese culture is one of the world's greatest treasures, but Mao Zedong and his successors viewed their rich heritage as a threat to absolute communist power. Throughout the 1950s and 60s, revolutionaries burned temples, destroyed art, and edited their history books to align with communist ideology.
One of the great losses was the elimination of classical Chinese dance. Imagine if ballet were outlawed. How many generations would it take for the artform to be entirely lost? That's exactly what the founders of Shen Yun faced in the early 2000s, but by bringing together the greatest teachers and performers under the guidance of Shen Yun's Artistic Director, they have successfully preserved their history while also making innovations in stagecraft to bring their show to millions of enthralled audience members every year.
The show's theme this year is "China Before Communism," encapsulating their unique mission. By presenting stories from the canon of Chinese literature like the Monkey King or the adventures of wandering Taoists, they have inspired a newfound appreciation for the heroes of history and the true culture of China, which communism tried to wipe out. And more than that, they also tell stories of today's unsung heroes, people like themselves, who face persecution under today's Chinese Communist Party.
Shen Yun paints a complete history of their fascinating culture through these performances, sometimes tragic, sometimes hilarious, and -- thanks to the artistry of their dancers, musicians, costume designers, and backdrop artists -- absolutely beautiful from start to finish.
2025 Front Range Show Dates:
Cheyenne Civic Center, March 25-26
Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, March 28-30
The Buell Theatre in Denver, April 2-6
Showtimes and tickets available at: shenyun.com/co