MONKEY: JOURNEY TO THE WEST Begins Final Two Weeks at Lincoln Center Festival; Ends 7/28

MONKEY: JOURNEY TO THE WEST, an extraordinary music-theater collaboration based on the classic Chinese folktale "Journey to the West" from 1592, begins its final two weeks of performances as part of the 2013 Lincoln Center Festival tonight at the David H. Koch Theater. MONKEY: JOURNEY TO THE WEST is conceived and directed by internationally renowned opera and film director Chen Shi-Zheng, with music by Damon Albarn, lead singer of Blur, and design and animation by award-winning artist Jamie Hewlett, who, with Albarn, created the virtual band Gorillaz. The limited engagement began performances on Sunday, July 6 and will play its final performance Sunday, July 28.

A theatrical spectacle that has performed before sold-out audiences around the world, MONKEY: JOURNEY TO THE WEST is a vibrant musical retelling of the ancient Chinese folktale that follows the fantastical trek of the monk Tripitaka, who travels from China to India seeking the Buddhist sacred scriptures. Led by the irrepressible Monkey King on a journey through an enchanted world, the monk and his magical animal companions encounter a series of perilous and comic adventures and misadventures.

Equal parts epic music theater and stunning animation, this hugely successful production includes a remarkable cast of Chinese acrobats, singers, mind-bending contortionists, martial artists, and transfixing animated displays. Damon Albarn's score features washes of electronic sounds, brass fanfares, electronic percussion, and Chinese pop melodies. Jamie Hewlett's designs, animations, and eye-popping costumes are influenced by Japanese animé. And Chen Shi-Zheng's thrilling vision transforms classic Chinese martial arts, circus acts, dance and acrobatics. Together, the three collaborators bring a dazzling, boundary-breaking approach to this timeless Chinese epic.

MONKEY: JOURNEY TO THE WEST created a sensation when it premiered at the first Manchester International Festival in England in 2007. It was then performed at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris and at Spoleto Festival USA, followed by performances at the Royal Opera House in London.

MONKEY: JOURNEY TO THE WEST runs July 6-July 28, 2013, 27 performances, David H. Koch Theater. Conception, Libretto, and Stage Direction: Chen Shi-Zheng. Composer: Damon Albarn. Visual Concept, Animation and Costumes by Jamie Hewlett. Conductor: Brad Lubman. Lighting Designer: Nick Richings. Sound Designer: Barry Bartlett. Masks, Prosthetics, Makeup and Wigs by Bertrand Dorcet.

With: Lu Wang (Monkey King), Yangyang Cao (Monkey King), Yisha Chen (Spider Woman), Jiaojiao Chen (Princess Iron Fan), Yuanyuan Huo (Guan Yin), Li Li (Tripitaka), Chang Liu (Subodhi / Buddha), Kun Liu (Dragon King), Borui Dong (Sandy), Kejia Xu (Pigsy), Zhuoran Yao (White Skeleton Demon), and the Jiangsu Yancheng Acrobatic Company

MONKEY: JOURNEY TO THE WEST performance schedule: Tuesday, July 16 at 8 p.m.; Wednesday, July 17 at 8 p.m.; Thursday, July 18 at 8 p.m.; Friday, July 19 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, July 20 at 2 and 8 p.m.;Sunday, July 21 at 2 and 8 p.m.; Tuesday, July 23 at 8 p.m.; Wednesday, July 24 at 8 p.m.; Thursday, July 25 at 8 p.m.; Friday, July 26 at 8 p.m.;Saturday, July 27 at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, July 28 at 2 and 8 p.m.

Tickets: Tickets are on sale now and are priced from $25.00. Visit www.MonkeyJourneytotheWest.org or www.LincolnCenterFestival.org, go to the Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall or David H. Koch Theater box offices, or call CenterCharge, 212-721-6500. Programs, artists and ticket prices are subject to change.

Visit www.LincolnCenterFestival.org and register for "My Lincoln Center" to receive updates and information.

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