SHE had a vision — to bring Broadway to the Malaysian stage. Dancer-choreographer Farah Sulaiman did that in June last year, and is restaging her dream , DanSing Thru Broadway, this week.
The musical is about a no-nonsense graduate, Karim, who seeks a job in the theatre industry.
“He has no background in the arts. But he is keen to work in the industry under the guidance of Grey, a theatre producer.
“Slowly, Karim finds that every single element in his life is connected to music,” explains Farah.
In putting the script together, Farah says she was ably helped by her niece, dancer-actress Sabrina Hassan.
“We have incorporated local elements such as the Malay language into the work. We just want to make Broadway more appealing to the public. People always shy away from English productions in Malaysia,” says Sabrina who recently acted in the film, Maut .
DanSing Thru Broadway has scenes from Hello Dolly, Oliver, Miss Saigon, Hairspray, Grease and Phantom Of The Opera .
The cast comprises dance instructor and opera singer Peter Ong, actor Radhi Khalid, Audition 1 winner Tria, rapper and actor Reefa, Ho Soon Yoon, Nicole-Anne Thomas, and Keith Yew.
What excites both aunt and niece is the participation of 20 young entertainers ranging from eight to 17 years.
“They are fresh and talented,” says Farah.
Farah, who used to have a ballet school called Sayang Academy of Dancing, says she admires the passion of the children who came for her auditions.
“Most of the children have zero knowledge in the performing arts but they were passionate about seeking the knowledge and gave the audition their best.
“We came across a boy with an exceptional vocal talent but he was stiff when it came to dancing. After staging the first production, he finally found his groove,” adds Sabrina.
The 20 young actors are a dedicated lot.
“They would train at least seven hours a week without hesitation or complaint. It was all smiles despite being tired,” says Farah.
Petronita, the association for the wives of Petronas staff and female employees, is the official organiser of the Broadway-inspired musical.
Proceeds from the ticket sales will go to The Children Dialysis Fund of the National Kidney Foundation, The Children’s Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate Corrective Surgery Community Project and The Musculo Skeletal Cancer Treatment Regional Centre.
* DanSing Thru Broadway runs Feb 19-21, at 8pm at the Auditorium Dewan Bandaraya, Menara DBKL. Tickets are RM50, RM80, RM150 and RM200. Get them at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas Box Office or call 03-20517007.
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