In World Premiere, 'The Monkey King' Is a Dazzling Triumph at SF Opera

"Alternately navigating and causing these transformations is Monkey (a thrilling Kang Wang), a young rebel with no formal upbringing. He tries to follow the Buddhist teachings of Master Subhuti (Jusung Gabriel Park), who intones in one of the opera's repeating melodic motifs that power alone is not enough. He soon meets his match in the Jade Emperor (Konu Kim) and his court, who resent the ego-driven Monkey's ability to get ahead."

"The costumes, designed by Anita Yavich, explode with color and texture - especially those of the Jade Warrior's court, whose self-importance and overconfidence are underscored by a wardrobe befitting a cocaine-addled 1980s New Wave dance club. Ornate headpieces animate the movements of the Monkey King, as well as his dancing body double (Huiwang Zhang, with dynamic choreography by Ann Yee; Twist employs a puppet double as well)."

Monkey is a young rebel without formal upbringing who alternately navigates transformations while attempting to follow Master Subhuti's Buddhist teachings. He clashes with the Jade Emperor and his court, who resent Monkey's ego-driven advancement. Basil Twist's set and puppetry use silks and fabrics, hovering jellyfish, airborne white horses and an enormous snake. Anita Yavich's costumes explode with color and texture, with the Jade Warrior's court evoking a cocaine-addled 1980s New Wave club. Ornate headpieces animate the Monkey King and his dancing body double, accompanied by Ann Yee's choreography and a puppet double. Huang Ruo's score, conducted by Carolyn Kuan, employs Chinese gongs and cymbals and underscores duets and show-stopping arias like "All Dharmas Are Equal" and "Land of Bliss."

Read at Kqed