Adapted and directed by Brian Newell, from the novel by Delos W. Lovelace, and the original story by Merian C. Cooper.
"Without question, the most fun and innovative theatrical productions I've seen in the last year have come from the Maverick Theater Company in Fullerton, California. Their current production of KING KONG is no exception. They actually re-create the classic film on stage with an ingenious combination of live actors, rear-screen projection, and green-screen. While live actors appear on stage, there's a separate studio space that's feeding video imagery, also being performed live, onto the rear-screen in front of which the stage actors are performing. Kong is performed by an actor in an ape costume who is perfectly in sync with what's happening on stage. Consequently Kong really does get to be huge in relation to the performers. There are even moments when the stage actors are green-screened onto the projected video and made to be very small in relation to Kong, with whom they share the final image. Add a giant Kong hand and a giant Kong head to the available stagecraft, and you've got the makings of an amazing night at the theater. It's all done in real time and it's a fascinating, funny and thoroughly entertaining production. My description doesn't do it justice. This is the second incredibly clever production I've seen by the Maverick Theater in recent time and I am now an avid fan. It's well worth the trip down to Fullerton to watch their performances. Go see KING KONG!"
Quote and photos by John Semper Jr 📸 Originally posted in July, 2026.