“The Monkey King” by Huang Ruo and David Henry Hwang, San Francisco Opera, until November 30. Reviewed: November 16. On-demand “live stream” viewing online is available from November 23-25. - $25.00
Please purchase Nov. 18 ticket in order to obtain access to the on-demand recording of this performance. The on-demand recording will be available from 10am Sunday, Nov. 23 – to 10am Tuesday, Nov. 25.
The Monkey King Live Stream Link
This timeless Chinese folk tale retold as an opera is a sumptuous feast for the eyes and ears that provides a showcase of Chinese culture
Alexis Alrich
Published: 7:15 pm, 21 Nov 2025 - South China Morning Post - Hong Kong
San Francisco Opera’s premiere of The Monkey King is a visually enchanting retelling of the timeless Chinese folk tale and a thrilling landmark in cultural exchange.
With music by Huang Ruo and libretto by David Henry Hwang, this new opera follows the mischievous antics of Sun Wukong, the macaque born from a rock, who discovers this simple truth on his path towards enlightenment and immortality: “You cannot find the land of bliss with a leap and a bound.”
The sets and puppetry by Basil Twist are a wonder and delight from start to finish.
A staggering 4.1 kilometres (2.6 miles) of silk is used to create rippling visions of the undersea kingdom, of flights through the heavens, and of fantastical encounters with magic white horses, hovering jellyfish and moving mountains.
Layers of transparent curtains sweep across the stage, revealing ever more magical worlds of light and colour.
The Monkey character has three forms: a singer in Kang Wang, a puppet who can fly through the air, and a nimble dancer, Huiwang Zhang. Via clever stagecraft, they seamlessly take turns depicting the many aspects of Sun Wukong.
San Francisco Opera’s The Monkey King is a thrilling landmark in cultural exchange
Greg