Monkey Journey to the West

I recently went with my roommate the show Monkey Journey to the West at Lincoln Center.  Driven by the buzz that the brainss of the musical group Gorillaz were behind it, I couldn't be more excited. Oh what a surprise! Not only in a good way but also in a bad, unfortunately.


I have heard that the show has been a smash hit internationally and that the critic praise was amazing but in the end and on its defense "Monkey" (how we are referring to it from now on 'cause the name is too long) the show is simply not for everybody.
Based on a chinese classic Journey to the West which central character is a monkey that can transform into different creatures to overcome its obstacles in life, "Monkey" combines animation, opera, and circus acts.  They set the atmosphere from the moment you enter the bar and order the various house drinks with banana liquor.  The show is composed of 9 scenes.


The first half of these how is based on the arrogant attitude of the Monkey King looking for immortality at whichever cost, this eventually puts him in a jail by The Buddha himself and after 500 hundred years is released.  In this first half the acts include a big screen that comes into the stage with the animation that made Gorillaz famous but quickly the monkey character is not likable and ends up just being plain annoying.

The second half of the show consist of the Monkey King being released of this "jail" with the condition to help a Buddhist monk find the Buddha scriptures in a far off land.  The show is clearly a quest and if you are familiar with anime, you will understand the concept right away.

The main problem with the show is that while you are reading the subtitles of the song you are missing on the most amazing theatrical stunts.  It is very hard to keep up with everything that is happening at the same time.  Although the ending has a Wizard of OZ type of lesson, in which all this other characters that have joined Monkey on the quest are awarded with some title that give them redemption in their own personal stories, it is a little too late since the kung fu fighting gets old and not everyone is into the over exaggerated fighting gestures (again think anime) plus it stops using the animation which I think its what gave the show its main edge.

I am glad I saw it but honestly would be careful as to recommend it since counting my roommate I noticed people leaving the theater.  It is an interesting take on this tale and even though some parts are visually jaw dropping, like I said in the beginning...not for everybody.  So no "monkey see, monkey do on this case".