Monkey King Tales

Monkey King Tales:  A Chinese Folk Epic told through Storytelling, Masks, Shadow Puppetry, Original music, and Martial Arts!

Behind the Mask Theatre brings the Monkey King to life, a boisterous and unlikely hero in search of immortality, who causes havoc in Heaven and on Earth.  Rising from humble beginnings he eventually becomes so powerful that only Buddha can teach him respect.  See him born from a stone, his quest for knowledge, his battles with strange creatures, and the trouble he gets into when Heaven takes him too lightly.

The Monkey King and his friends are as quickly recognized in Chinese culture as are Bugs Bunny or Santa Claus by Americans, but they are barely known in the West. Monkey King Tales is an original production developed from the Chinese epic, by Behind the Mask Theatre, with guidance from international Beijing Opera star, Ghaffar Pourazar.  Behind the Mask is proud to bring this great adventure to Western audiences!

The story is told by the goddess Kwan Yin, and by Monkey's teacher.  As they tell the story, it happens behind, and around them.  Shadow puppets dance across the screen at centre stage, and monkey himself appears and takes over the stage to crash a heavenly banquet and to battle with the ferocious demons sent against him.  These fights showcase various Chinese martial arts - monkey and cat styles, a broadsword versus quarterstaff duel, and a giant red dragon, that twists and coils over every inch of the stage!

With its lavish silk costumes, movements drawn from martial arts and Beijing Opera, and its seamless blend of storytelling, shadow puppetry, and live action, this exciting and beautiful show has delighted audiences of all ages, on stages of all sizes.

Who is in the show?.
Read a review of Monkey King Tales.
See Erik Wegweiser's photo montage of the show's characters in rehearsal.
Read excerpts from the press release for Monkey King Tales

Monkey King Tales credits

Production:
Stage Direction ------------------ Behind The Mask Theatre & Ghaffar Pourazar
Script and Story Adaptation ----- Eric Bornstein & Deborah Coconis
Masks ---------------------------- Eric Bornstein & Deborah Coconis
Original music/lyrics ------------- Frank Gerace & Cheryl Wanner
Martial arts choreography ------ Leda Elliott & David Kessler, & Ghaffar Pourazar
Shadow puppet Design ---------- Eric Bornstein, Kelly Cutler, & David Kessler
Stage Management -------------- David Kessler & Paul Rehm

Cast:
Kuan Yin / Heavenly Peach Maiden ------- Deborah Coconis
Pigsy / The Immortal ------------------------ Eric Bornstein
Monkey -------------------------------------- David Kessler
White Tiger / Bird Demon/
Dragon / Sword & Fan Dancer -------------- Leda Elliott
Celestial Musician -------------------------- Frank Gerace & Cheryl Wanner
Shadow puppetry ---------------------------- Kelley Cutler & David Kessler

Special Thanks to:
CCAE, Brookline Puppet Showplace Theatre, Matt Coconis, Bonnie Duncan, Danielle Gilardi, Carl Wieting

Behind the Mask Theatre Presents - Monkey King Tales: A Chinese Folk Epic told through Storytelling, Masks, Shadow Puppetry, Original music, and Martial Arts!

Behind the Mask Theatre brings to life the beloved character of the Monkey King, a boisterous and unlikely hero in search of immortality, who causes havoc in Heaven and on Earth.  Rising from humble beginnings he eventually becomes so powerful that only Buddha can teach him respect.  He is then sent to India, on his epic "Journey to the West" to bring holy scriptures back to China.  Together with his friend Pigsy and the Monk Tang Shen, Monkey has many adventures and learns many lessons about life.

A diverse group of skilled artists has come together for this project, among them: Award-winning Maskmaker Eric Bornstein, whose work has appeared at the MFA and onstage with Revels and Boston Ballet, has created original masks; Cheryl Wanner and Frank Gerace of internationally acclaimed local Band Dreamchild have composed original music; International Beijing Opera star Ghaffar Pourazar, who has researched and specialized in the Monkey King role, came to Boston to choreograph movements and teach the traditions and movements of this story.

Eric Bornstein, BTMT Founder/ Director says: "It's very exciting to combine the rich traditions of masked storytelling, puppetry, Beijing Opera, and Martial Arts to tell this fantastic and adventurous story.  Everyone involved is an expert in their own right and tradition, and I feel lucky to be drawing on so much talent!  With its positive themes of imagination, hard work, hope, faith, and ultimate success, this story not only entertains, but transforms and uplifts the audience."