Zenni Celebrates The Monkey King World Premiere

Zenni is proud to partner with San Francisco Opera for the world premiere of The Monkey King—a bold, joyful reimagining of a legendary story that’s capturing the attention of the Bay Area and beyond.

With a limited two-week run and nine performances, The Monkey King has quickly become one of the most talked-about premieres of the season, drawing more than 40,000 attendees and bringing new audiences into the opera house. For Zenni, this partnership is about more than one unforgettable night out—it’s about celebrating culture, creativity, and community in the city we call home.

Image courtesy of Drew Altizer Photography and San Francisco Opera

A New Kind of Opera Moment

San Francisco Opera is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading opera companies, known for innovative productions and collaborations that bridge music, art, and community. Their mission is rooted in artistic excellence and accessibility—values that resonate deeply with Zenni’s own belief that everyone deserves access to high-quality experiences, whether it’s eyewear or world-class art.

The Monkey King embodies that spirit of innovation.

• Composed by Huang Ruo with a libretto by David Henry Hwang, the opera is inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West.
• The production blends opera, dance, puppetry, and multilingual storytelling in both English and Mandarin.
• Media outlets, including the San Francisco Chronicle, have highlighted The Monkey King as one of the most anticipated premieres of the season.

Huang Ruo describes the Monkey King as “Asia’s supreme superhero”—a figure that feels both timeless and incredibly current. The result is a production that feels fresh, visually spectacular, and emotionally rich, welcoming opera lovers and first-time attendees alike.

Beyond the stage, San Francisco Opera has extended the experience through public programs like puppetry workshops and art exhibits, inviting families, students, and community members to connect with the story in new ways.

Why This Cultural Moment Matters for Zenni

At Zenni, we’re always looking for meaningful ways to show up in the communities we serve—especially here in the Bay Area. Partnering with San Francisco Opera on The Monkey King allows us to:

• Celebrate and support Asian and Asian American stories at a major cultural institution.
• Align with a production that champions innovation and artistic experimentation, mirroring our own commitment to pushing what’s possible in eyewear and vision technology.
• Help make world-class art feel more inviting and accessible to diverse audiences.

This premiere is a cultural milestone for the Bay Area and for Asian American representation in the arts. Being part of its launch reflects our ongoing commitment to honoring the stories, heritage, and creativity of the communities we serve.

Image courtesy of Drew Altizer Photography and San Francisco Opera

Zenni’s Role: Where Innovation Meets Culture

As a proud sponsor of The Monkey King world premiere, Zenni’s presence extended throughout the opening celebrations and beyond:

Opening-Night Recognition
Zenni was prominently recognized throughout the launch of The Monkey King, reinforcing our role as a committed supporter of the arts and of culturally significant storytelling.

Friends of Zenni Dinner
We hosted an intimate Friends of Zenni dinner, welcoming cultural and community leaders to celebrate the premiere together. It was an opportunity to connect with partners and advocates who share our passion for creativity, representation, and access—from the stage to the screen and everywhere in between.

Exclusive Gifting: EyeQLenz with Zenni ID Guard
To mark the occasion, guests, VIPs, and Opera members received a special gift:

• Zenni’s EyeQLenz with Zenni ID Guard, designed to help protect wearers from blue light and support eye comfort in a digital-first world.
• Custom packaging featuring original Monkey King artwork from San Francisco Opera, blending our vision technology with the visual identity of the production.

This collaboration brought together what both organizations do best: SF Opera’s storytelling and artistic expression, and Zenni’s innovation in eyewear and eye protection.

Image courtesy of Drew Altizer Photography and San Francisco Opera

At the Intersection of Art, Innovation, and Community

Our partnership with San Francisco Opera on The Monkey King is more than a sponsorship—it’s a statement about the kind of company we strive to be.

• Innovative: Just as The Monkey King pushes boundaries in how opera can look, sound, and feel, Zenni is constantly exploring new ways to support vision health through technology-forward products like EyeQLenz.
• Culturally engaged: We are proud to stand alongside institutions that elevate diverse stories and creative voices, particularly those that resonate deeply with Asian and Asian American communities.
• Community-focused: By supporting high-impact cultural moments in the Bay Area, we aim to help make these experiences more visible, more inviting, and more accessible to broader audiences.

We believe that when people can see clearly—on stage, on screen, and in daily life—they can more fully experience the art, stories, and traditions that shape who we are.

Looking Ahead

Zenni’s collaboration with San Francisco Opera on The Monkey King is a powerful example of how vision, culture, and community can come together. As we continue to grow our presence in the arts and deepen our connections with local institutions, we’re excited to keep supporting experiences that inspire, reflect, and represent the communities around us.

We’re honored to have been part of this world premiere—and we look forward to many more opportunities to help bring world-class art into focus for everyone.