Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

When ìThe Monkey Kingî begins at Childrenís Theatre Company, the audience takes a literary and imaginative trip to China.

ìThe Monkey King,î in its world premiere run at CTC, tells the tale of Chinaís most beloved and well known superhero.

Based on a famed Chinese novel, ìA Journey to the Westî by Wu Chen-En, ìMonkey Kingî was adapted for the stage by Shen Pei and Jeffrey Hatcher.

The book is an epic novel, totaling nearly 1000 pages. It is a story that dates back four centuries.

It is the tale of a mischievous super hero monkey, The Monkey King or Sun Wu Kong.

He, along with Ba Jjie the forever hungry pig and Sha Sen, the klutzy carp are kicked out of heaven and are attempting to earn their way back.

In this dangerous journey play they travel as protectors to Monk Tang for 14 years from India to China transporting the sacred scrolls.

ìThe Monkey Kingî is based on the true story of Xuan Zang, a monk of the Chinese Tang Dynasty. It took him a decade traveling by foot for Buddhist holy books.

More than a historical recount, The Monkey King is a comedy, a journey tale, a colorful buffet of legends, superstitions and Chinese culture.

Marcus Young plays Monk Tong in the production.

Born in Hong Kong with Chinese parentsóthough raised in Iowa, he can recall as a child sitting on his dadís lap hearing the story of The Monkey King.

ìThe Monkey King is a character known by everybody in Chinaóheís sort of like Superman here,î he said.

There are many facets to this well known and fervently loved tale, Young said.

In China, the story often is told in bits. Because everyone knows the tale there is the luxury of exploring but a chapter of the legend.
At CTC, the entire story arc is explored in a spance of two hours.

ìI think itís a really unique opportunity for people to see the whole story,î Young said. ìCome see this before it goes away.î

It is a journey, of friendship. Redemption. It is a story of Buddhism, heroes, monsters, heaven and attaining goals.
To see the tale brought to the stage, Young said, is a fruition of years of work.

He has been involved with this production for about four years, Young said. He has worked with Shen Pei for many years. Pei is world renowned for her work on stage.

A choreographer, she has served as artistic director of CAAM Chinese Dance Theatre. There she brought more than a dozen productions to the stage. Many of the dancers who appear in ìMonkey Kingî are members of CAAM. Several are Chinese children adopted by American parents.

In addition to adapting the story for stage, she directed the production with Peter C. Brosius, and served as choreographer.

ìIíve learned a great deal from her about Chinese culture,î said Young, who, despite knowing his native language, grew up in the American culture.

ìThe Monkey Kingî can serve as a conduit to knowledge about other cultures, he said.

From the way characters in the production think to what is valued and how heaven is viewed, there are layers of information beyond the plot.

When Pei suggested he take on the role of Monk Tangñthough his background is that of a performance artist, he agreed.

ìI think this was really a good character for me,î he said.

Two monkeys

The title role of the production is seamlessly played by two East meets West actorsóCTC veteran Dean Holt and Chinaís Xin Li.
With training from Bejing Opera in China, Li has performed in The Monkey King at the Lincoln Center in New York City, at the Mann Center and the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. He even appeared in a Monkey King film.

Playing the Monkey King is part of his heritageóan art passed down to him by his father and his father before him. Li has performed as the Monkey King thousands of times.

Most audience members do not realize it is two actors portraying the role as only one is on stage at a time.

Li was sought for his perfection and experience with the role. He dances through martial arts, he is a master of the movement required for the role.

Holt, with his experience on the stage here and command of the English language, was a perfect twin for Liís character.
Having two performers take on one role, was the only way to give the character of the Monkey King justice, Young said.

ìIt was a perfect match,î he said. ìWe were able to find Dean Holt who started adopting some of the moves Xin Li would do,î he said.
Rachel Flynn is a public relations associate at CTC.

ìI donít think we have ever done that at CTC,î Flynn said of two actors playing one character simultaneously.

ìWe wanted Xin Li for the movement of the character and Dean (Holt) brings such physical acting into it. The pairing made sense.î
Showtimes/tickets

The Monkey King runs through April 16 at the Childrenís Theatre Company, 2400 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis.
Tickets are $15-$30 for adults and $9-$24 for children, students and seniors. Group rates are available.

Flynn suggested people buy tickets sooner than later, as word of mouth is spreading well with this production.
For more information or to order tickets call 612-874-0400 or www.childrenstheatre.org.

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