San Francisco Opera Previews Monkey King Production at Happy Crane Dinner

San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock and master puppeteer Basil Twist transported special dinner guests into the enchanting world of “The Monkey King” on September 17 at Hayes Valley’s new restaurant The Happy Crane. Host Patti Lee-Hoffmann welcomed Opera supporters for an intimate preview of November’s world premiere of this exciting new work. The exclusive gathering offered attendees an up-close glimpse into the dynamic creative process behind composer Huang Ruo and librettist David Henry Hwang’s highly anticipated collaboration, with Twist providing fascinating insights into his role as Puppetry Director for a production that promises to showcase San Francisco Opera’s commitment to pioneering new approaches to large-scale opera.

Chef James Yeun Leong Parry’s exceptional menu that night perfectly complemented the evening’s artistic themes, featuring standout dishes including uni scallop pancake, firecracker shrimp, sugar snap pea dumplings and chasiu iberico pork jowl, which demonstrated The Happy Crane’s sophisticated culinary vision. The elegant presentation also included doupi tofu salad, smacked cucumber with smoked figs, and mochi rocher, creating a dining experience that matched the musical artistry being celebrated. Shilvock’s engaging discussion with Twist revealed the intricate collaboration required to bring puppetry magic to the operatic stage, offering guests unprecedented access to the creative minds behind what promises to be a transformative addition to San Francisco Opera’s repertoire, highlighting the company’s mission to crack the code on producing innovative art in the 21st century.