Monkey: The Quest to the West by Fred Curchack and Laura Jorgensen
“No need for thanks, Master … we’re here to help each other to wake up. I’m grateful to you for my liberation and I’m happy to have been able to protect you.”
Created and Performed by Fred Curchack and Laura Jorgensen
October 9 – 18, 2008, at Undermain Theatre
The story follows the supernatural trickster Monkey, who makes war with heaven until he is imprisoned under a mountain by Buddha. After 500 years, he is released to protect a Buddhist monk on his perilous journey from China to India to bring back spiritual texts. On the way they encounter all manner of deities, demons, monsters and outrageous misadventures.
Cast and Creatives
Written by Fred Curchack
Based on The Journey to the West by Wu Cheng’En
Adapted from translations by W. J. F. Jenner, Anthony C. Yu, and Arthur Waley
Designed by
Ben Bryant: Lighting Design
Cast
Fred Curchack: Narrator, General, Curious Monkey, Monkeys, Fisherman, Person, Woodcutter, Disciple, Patriarch, Demon King, Monkey Children, Dragon King, Death Police, King of Death, Minister, Stable Boy, Heavenly Maiden, Lao Tzu, Celestial Warrior, Erlang, Buddha (Tathagata/Sakyamuni), Dragon/Horse, Tripitaka (Xuanzang), Bandits (“The Six Senses”), Demon.
Laura Jorgensen: Monkey (Sun Wukong), Narrator, Jade Emperor, Dragon Queen, Queen Mother, Kwan-yin (Bodhisattva of Compassion), Emperor of China (Tang Emperor), Ogre, Chan Monk, Old Turtle, Kwan-yin disguised as Old Woman and Monk.
