STAGE REVIEW : ‘Monkey King’ Proves Delight for Children

Capturing and maintaining the interest of about 400 elementary school children may seem like a daunting task to some theater troupes, but the San Diego Chinese Center’s production of “Monkey King: The Journey Begins!” handled the situation wonderfully. The enchanting production, running at Horton Plaza’s Lyceum Stage through Sunday, kept an opening day-audience glued to their seats and involved in the action.

“Monkey King” serves as an entertaining introduction to Chinese culture. The play is an adaptation of Wu Cheng En’s 16th-Century story, “Journey to the West.” In the narrative, a Chinese monk travels to India to bring the teachings of Buddha back to China. In this new play, the monk encounters and joins forces with magical creatures en route to his enlightenment. Foremost among these characters is the Monkey King, one of the most famous characters in Asian literature. According to San Diego Chinese Center Executive Director Maya Hu, “The story of ‘Monkey King’ is very similar to the story of “The Wizard of Oz.”

Indeed, there are many similarities: Both pieces involve long journeys to magical places; both pieces involve perilous encounters with monsters; and both pieces stress the importance of working with others to achieve one’s goals.

Rather than introduce children to a land somewhere over the rainbow, however, “Monkey King” introduces the audience to China and its real-life wonders. Kung fu fights and martial arts demonstrations permeate the production, as do representations of authentic Chinese costumes, dances and puppet shows.

The play chronicles the beginning stages of the monk’s journey. The monk and his comrades run across all sorts of obstacles on the road to India.

After three or four run-ins with danger, “Monkey King” just stops, rather than ends, with a “tune in next year” sort of promise for more adventures in the future. Plot, certainly, is not at the heart of this production. “Monkey King” is worthwhile nonetheless because this show is a fun, humorous introduction to Chinese culture.

Kent Brisby adapted, directed and designed the set for “Monkey King,” succeeding in creating a magical children’s theater piece. Brisby, West Coast Artistic Director for the National Theatre for Children, has staged 14 children’s productions in the last six years, entertaining about 1 million children in the process. This production’s quality bears witness to his experience.

The children in attendance Monday morning shrieked with delight as soon as the house lights dimmed and the production began. Brisby immediately grasped their attention and refused to let go during the hourlong production. As the play began, the stage lights bumped up to reveal the Monkey King (Dwight Love) crouching high atop the stage platforms. The Monkey King immediately slid down off a platform banister and commenced to leap, shout and dance across the stage.

The many strong performances added to the appeal of “Monkey King.” The acrobatic Love put on an excellent display of physical skills in the title role. He romped around the stage and through the audience with high-energy excitement, squeaking with chimp-like playfulness to the delight of the crowd. Love, a local kung fu instructor, also choreographed the many fights in the production.

Gingerlily Lowe’s portrayal of the narrator-mystic Kuan Yin also stood out. Her pleasant, confident manner stabilized the production’s flow, and her strong presence propelled the action between the many fight scenes and musical numbers. Ed You’s rendition of the pacifist monk Sanzang stood out as well (although one tyke seated in the balcony seemed to think Sanzang was “chicken”).

Music director Cecilia Bao penned a wonderful score to “Monkey King.” Bao, former resident composer at Beijing Dance College, performed on stage during the production as well, playing a keyboard from stage right and embellishing every moment in the play with appropriately enchanting tones. Nancy Rupp’s bright, upbeat costumes also add to the mise en scene .

The San Diego Chinese Center is a nonprofit agency providing cultural, educational and social services to the Chinese community and the people of San Diego County. Among the group’s directives include the education, preservation and promotion of Chinese culture. This fine production of “Monkey King” is a step forward on all three fronts.

“MONKEY KING: THE JOURNEY BEGINS!

Adaptation, direction and set design by Kent Brisby. Costumes by Cheryl Lindley. Lighting by Keone Ayers. Music direction by Cecilia Bao. Stage manager is Joseph Lam. With Gingerlily Lowe, Dwight Love, Ed You, Banny Hom, Miguel Garcia, Roselyn Lowe, Lorenzo Rivera and Kenneth M. Toy. Schoolchildren performances through Thursday. Public performances are at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $5-$10. At the Lyceum Stage, 79 Horton Plaza, downtown, 234-4447.