the epic Journey begins

News and upcoming performances:

Monkey king in central Park

Thank you to everyone who came out to join Monkey King and Xuanzang on their perilous adventures in Central Park last month. Here’s an excerpt of Diane and Jeff’s June 12th performance in which Monkey King brings back the Compliant Rod and becomes

Great Sage Equal to Heaven!

“Diane's thoughtful, dynamic retelling of Monkey King, with Jeff Greene's imaginative percussion accompaniment, casts a spell on the audience. Children and parents sit mesmerized as this ancient epic unfolds.”

— Rita Auerbach, President of the America Library Association

Here are three of our favorite photos taken on June 12th by

Andrew Schwartz - one of which made the cover of Our Town:

Journey to the west at Taiwanese Consulate

Recently Diane received the honor of being invited to perform the opening of Journey to the West at the Taiwanese Consulate Farewell Dinner Party for Director Ethan Kuo on Tuesday, July 13th, hosted by the Taiwanese Ambassador Andrew J.C. Kao. The evening was filled with touching farewell wishes, parting gifts, and graceful displays of humor. In his heartfelt speech Ethan Kuo thanked Diane for her “outstanding performance”.

Diane performing Journey to the West

Group photo Diane and Ambassador Andrew J.C. Kao

More Upcoming Events:

Sep. 25th “The Monk In Jail”

Saturday, September 25th, 11AM - 12PM, FREE

Statue of H.C. Andersen, Central Park

72nd & Fifth, New York, NY (Google map)

Oct. 2nd Journey to the West

National Storytelling Festival, Jonesborough, TN

For more info and to register click here

Journeys east: Two videos

Journey East... in search of Monkey King

In the summer of 2008, Diane Wolkstein, storyteller, and Sat Hon, her teacher and choreographer, went to Taiwan in order to research Journey to the West and better understand the mysterious god-like figure, Monkey King himself. This 10 minute documentary edited by Eli Rarey (director, Diane Wolkstein: A Storyteller’s Story) premiered at the University Settlement. Now you can see it for a limited time on our Journeys East page. Enjoy!

Watch the 10-minute documentary on Youtube

Journey East... revisiting Mr. Sun

After working with Mr. Sun in 2008, Diane traveled back to Taiwan in the winter of 2010 in order to continue her research on Journey to the West. Diane speaks about actor, director, and Taiwanese national treasure, Mr. Sun. Interview filmed in Taiwan and edited by Bob Geile.

Journey to the West is one of the three great Chinese epics. Written by Wu Cheng'En in the sixteenth century and based on the historical Xuanzang, the epic recounts the many poignant and humorous adventures of the impetuous, all powerful Monkey King, whose concerns are himself, and the pure-hearted determined Tang Priest, who wants to help others. Together they struggle not only with demons and ogres, but also with one another as they travel from China to India to bring back the Buddhist scriptures.

Through gorgeous, unexpected movement and song, Diane Wolkstein (www.dianewolkstein.com) breaks open the text, taking us on a Journey we won’t soon forget. Please check our website often for news, photos, performances, and other exciting content, and follow Diane and Monkey King by joining the mailing list, becoming a fan on Facebook, and subscribing to Diane’s YouTube channel. Thank you!

What People

Are Saying...

... in America:

“Diane Wolkstein does not just tell the story: she channels the main figures, becomes Monkey King and the priest to a startling degree; one could describe them as if one had actually seen them. Drama is blended with comic episodes. The audience is offered the most vivid reality, and time passes with amazing speed. The result is a rich and satisfying evening at the theater.”

— Olivier Bernier, Lecturer, Metropolitan Museum of Art

“Diane’s solo performance of Monkey King is a marvel. She is at the height of her career; every word, gesture and pause is exquisite. She is a consummate artist.”

— Dr. Judith Pasamanick, Professor,

Bank St. College of Education

“Each time I’ve seen Diane Wolkstein perform Monkey King, she opened the doors to the cosmos for her audience, allowing them to experience the healing power of story. I left the theatre more connected to my own compassion!”

— Tracy Cochran, Editor Parabola Magazine

“Diane Wolkstein’s Monkey King takes us on a spectacular journey - funny, human and transcendent - in which we encounter ourselves and all of life’s ultimate questions.”

— Barbra Abrash, Director, Center for Media,
Culture & History, New York University

...in Taiwan:

“You brought my culture back to me in a fuller way. I thought Journey to the West was just a story. Now I can appreciate that it has many profound truths. We take it for granted. Thank you for your movement, your animation, your heart. I loved how you and Jeff were in such harmony.

— Buddhist Nun, Fo Guang University

"The great gift you gave us was to take all of us back to the magical time in our childhood when we sat by our amahs, our grandmothers, and imbibed the wisdom and warmth of their stories. You reminded us of how important and essential stories are to our lives and happiness."

— Professor Peter Y H Chen, Taipei University

...in Toronto:

“With an amazing agility Diane whisked me away

to an unfamiliar time and place. The world of the Monkey King materialized in my mind’s eye with vivid colours, illuminating sound, and intoxicating fragrance through Diane’s spoken word. Her commitment to her craft and unparalleled talent is something everyone should experience.”

— Debra Baptiste, Festival Director,

32nd Toronto Festival of Storytelling