Silk-scarf flames, acrobatic hand puppets and live erhu, bamboo flute and percussion carry the Monkey King's fight to borrow the Iron Fan Princess's magic fan and cross a mountain of fire. Galapagos Puppet Theater's founders trained under Taiwanese master puppeteer Lee Tien-lu, and they perform with puppets made by Taiwan's I Wan Jan Troupe. If you have kids who love martial arts, mischief or the Monkey King, this 40-minute show is an ideal first taste of a 400-year-old story.
What to expect
A short, fast-moving puppet performance in Flushing Town Hall's theater, with musicians playing live alongside the stage. The later show adds a Q&A in Chinese with the master of Taiwanese puppetry.
Good to know
- Take the 7 train to Flushing–Main St; Flushing Town Hall is a short walk up Northern Boulevard.
- Two performances are offered; the afternoon one includes a Chinese-language Q&A.
- The show runs about 40 minutes, a good length for young kids.
- Buy tickets ahead through Flushing Town Hall's box office.
- Flushing's food courts and dumpling shops are steps away for lunch after.
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Common questions
How long is the show?
About 40 minutes.
Is it in English?
Flushing Town Hall bills it as family programming told largely through puppetry and live music; check with the box office about language, and note the later performance adds a Q&A in Chinese.
What is Bu Dai Xi?
Taiwanese hand puppetry, performed with small, expressive glove puppets capable of acrobatic martial-arts moves.
