Monkey King Looks West (1992)

This colorful production contrasts the rich heritage of Chinese opera with the daytoday realities of its emigréperformers in New Yorks Chinatown It depicts the efforts of three classicallytrained opera artists to keep alive their revered art form for the generation of young ChineseAmericans who would otherwise not be exposed to their traditionIn the timeworn pattern of immigrant life they spend their days grinding out a living In their spare time each performs and teaches Chinese opera Scenes from the classic work Monkey King Looks West stand as a metaphor for cultural survival