Monkey King set for debut in San Francisco

Journey to the West

"The story is both timely and timeless, resonating across generations and cultures. Its teachings — about selflessness, helping others and reaching a promised land together — are universal. It's not just a Chinese story," Huang Ruo said.

He emphasized that the Monkey King is not perfect. "He makes mistakes. But it's his spirit — his determination to help others, to support the monk, to defeat evil spirits, to guide others to the land of bliss and bring the sutras back to China — that inspires. That mission and that energy are incredibly powerful and positive," he said.

Huang Ruo recalled watching his children celebrate Halloween during the coronavirus pandemic, with his son dressed as Spider-Man and his daughter as Elsa from Frozen. The moment reminded him that, like American superheroes, the Monkey King is an inspirational figure known for wit, humor, righteousness and power — "the supreme superhero from Asia", as he put it.

"I grew up with the Monkey King. He taught us to believe in our dreams, to distinguish right from wrong, and to understand that having power is not enough. True strength lies in using that power to help others, even if it means giving some of it up. These are deeply rooted Eastern philosophical lessons," Huang Ruo said.

The New York-based composer was born in Hainan province, China, in 1976. His father, also a composer, began teaching him piano and composition at age six.

"I was born and raised in China, during a time when the country was opening up and embracing new knowledge. I was part of a generation that benefited tremendously from that," Huang Ruo said.

The composer said his upbringing — immersed in Chinese folklore, poetry, classical music and traditions — played a huge role in his artistic pursuit. "I grew up listening to my father sing and play music. My mother, though a doctor, loved to sing and always sang to me. Music has always been part of my life and for that I'm deeply grateful."

At age 12, Huang Ruo attended the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where he studied traditional and Western music. After winning the Henry Mancini Award at the 1995 International Film and Music Festival in Switzerland, he moved to the United States, earning a bachelor's degree from Oberlin Conservatory and master's and doctoral degrees in composition from the Juilliard School.

"On my own 'Journey to the West', I encountered many different cultures. I studied Western opera, but I continue to write about Chinese stories. There are so many wonderful tales waiting to be told in operatic form," said Huang Ruo, who now teaches composition at the Mannes School of Music in New York.