STAMFORD, Conn.—The Palace Theatre in Stamford, Connecticut was buzzing with energy and activity on June 26, with two performances of Shen Yun Performing Arts that kicked off the renowned dance company’s 2021 world tour. Audience members were thrilled to be able to attend large social gatherings once again following pandemic-related postponements, some even making three-hour drives to attend the Connecticut shows. As Shen Yun’s mission is to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, the performances are a rare chance to glimpse China before communism took over. “Ancient Chinese culture should come back, and it should challenge communism, and maybe someday it will prevail over communism,” said Christopher Bob, who saw the Saturday evening performance with his wife Tracey. The traditional Chinese culture Bob witnessed on display was “definitely a great movement and the show supports that movement,” he said. “I think it’ll only grow and benefit, and maybe one day, …