White Snake Projects Presents
MONKEY:
A Kung Fu Puppet Parable
An Ancient Wizard of Oz Tale for our Times
September 22-24, 2023 at the Emerson Paramount Center, Robert J. Orchard Stage
MONKEY: A Kung Fu Puppet Parable
Composer: Jorge Sosa | Librettist: Cerise Lim Jacobs
Commissioned by White Snake Projects
Run Time: Approx. 80 minutes without intermission; Performed in English with subtitles
September 22-24, 2023
Emerson Paramount Center, Robert J. Orchard Stage
SYNOPSIS
A new look at old Monkey, the greatest quest hero from ancient times.
With his comrades-in-arms, Zhu, a heavenly Marshall reincarnated into a Pig for his evil, gluttonous ways, and Sha, once a princess, now a sand monster who devours unwary travelers, this unlikely trio journeys west.
They become disciples and protectors of the Monk sent by Buddha to retrieve the holy Sutras in the hopes that this journey will bring each of them their own personal salvation. An ancient Wizard of Oz tale for our times.
Highlights
The Inspiration
MONKEY is one of those beloved folktales every Asian child grows up with.
It’s supposed to be a Buddhist morality tale but as it’s been handed down over the ages, it’s become a great adventure quest saga. I’ve always wanted to write about dear MONKEY, he of the “monkey mind”, the ever restless, ever-changing, ever curious quicksilver mind. Perhaps I feel some affinity for his plight as all around try to tame him and teach him the virtue of stillness.
— Librettist CERISE LIM JACOBS
CAST
PUPPETEERS
CREATIVES
TECHNICAL & PRODUCTION
SUPPORT
White Snake Projects’ 2023-2024 programming is supported by a generous grant from the Mellon Foundation. Our programming is also supported the National Endowment for the Arts, the Mass Cultural Council, the Boston Cultural Council, Reopen Creative Boston Fund, administered by the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture and the Ditson Fund.
