The San Francisco Opera is gearing up for one of the most anticipated world premieres in recent history with the formation of The Monkey King Committee.
This new initiative brings together a diverse group of influential leaders from various sectors including business, nonprofit, technology, and the arts, all united in support of composer Huang Ruo and librettist David Henry Hwang’s much-anticipated opera, The Monkey King (猴王悟空), set to open on November 14, 2025, at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco.
Leading the Committee are San Francisco Opera Board of Directors members and Committee Co-Chairs Jerome Dodson, Doreen Woo Ho, and Soo Venkatesan.
The committee also boasts esteemed Honorary Chairs, Jensen and Lori Huang, further enhancing its distinguished profile.
As expressed by Jensen Huang, the founder and CEO of NVIDIA, “The Monkey King is a timeless epic that celebrates courage, transformation, and the spirit of adventure.
This reimagining of the classic Journey to the West, brought to life on the San Francisco Opera stage, is a breathtaking fusion of Chinese legend and American craftsmanship and artistry coming together for an incredible display.”
The sentiments of Committee Co-Chair Doreen Woo Ho echo this enthusiasm, as she stated, “I am excited to lead this Committee to promote and fundraise for this innovative and unique opera that brings the best of the best of Chinese classics to the operatic stage.
For me, this opera also represents a huge opportunity to build a people-to-people cultural bridge between the U.S. and China as Monkey King, who is such a beloved figure, resonates across so many Asian communities here and in Asia.”
Matthew Shilvock, the General Director of San Francisco Opera, has also noted the enthusiasm surrounding the project, saying, “From the minute we announced that we were creating an operatic version of The Monkey King, the Bay Area has had such incredible energy for this project.
Journey to the West holds a strong, emotional connection for those who grew up with the adventures and irreverent charm of Sun Wukong.
It’s a joy to have this incredible group of committee members helping us bring The Monkey King to life.
Extraordinary things emerge from the Bay Area, and it’s an honor to be partnering with our Monkey King Committee to celebrate the birth of this amazing artistic creation.”
The Monkey King Committee comprises a blend of Honorary and regular committee members, highlighting the depth and breadth of support for this groundbreaking production.
In addition to the Honorary Chairs, the Honorary Committee Members include organizations and individuals such as the Carol Franc Buck Foundation and the Koret Foundation, along with a variety of philanthropists dedicated to cultural enrichment.
Among the Committee Members are notable figures from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing the broad appeal and significance of this opera.
The Committee’s primary role extends beyond mere support; it serves as ambassadors for The Monkey King, working diligently to raise awareness and philanthropic contributions to this major operatic adaptation of a beloved hero in Chinese culture.
The events hosted by the Committee are expected to include an extravagant Opening Night Dinner Celebration on November 14, immediately preceding the world premiere performance of The Monkey King.
This opera, commissioned by the San Francisco Opera in partnership with the Chinese Heritage Foundation of Minnesota, is based on the opening chapters of the esteemed Ming Dynasty novel, Journey to the West, which is regarded as one of China’s greatest literary classics.
Uniquely tailored for the Western operatic stage, The Monkey King will be performed in both English and Chinese, incorporating elements of opera, movement, and puppetry.
The story follows an ambitious young monkey born from a stone, who challenges the gods in his quest for immortality, showcasing a thrilling blend of ancient Chinese traditions with modern Western storytelling.
This artistic collaboration between Huang Ruo and David Henry Hwang illustrates the resounding cultural significance of the Monkey King, whose popularity continues to soar across various media formats, including the upcoming 2024 blockbuster video game, Black Myth: Wukong.
image source from：broadwayworld
