Check this out, guys. It sounds like something right up my alley – a musical on all things Malaysian and parodies! The ticket prices are reasonable, too. So, come one, come all for this rib-tickling affair. Show starts next week!

The cast of Broadway Parodies Lah!

The Actors Studio Presents:

BROADWAY PARODIES LAH! Malaysian Spoofs of Songs from the Musicals
With sikit pinjam konsep from the Western “Forbidden Broadway” spoof show, The Actors Studio proudly presents “Broadway Parodies Lah!”, a rich rojak of slices of Malaysian life garnished with a big splash of humour and served up on a platter of great songs. And with a hugely talented cast, fantastic Broadway style choreography and both live and computer sequenced musical backing, BPL is a Malaysian feast of spoofs that is sure to fill your stomachs with laughter!

Sample Song Titles:
Chicken with the Chili on Top (“Surrey with the Fringe”)
Bodoh Lah (“Do Re Mi”)
Damansara (“Oklahoma!”)
Hello Datin (“Hello Dolly”)
The Bomoh of the Bursa (“The Phantom of the Opera”)
We Must Play Golf All Day (“I Could Have Danced All Night”)

BROADWAY PARODIES LAH! Malaysian Spoofs of Songs from the Musicals
Production Director and Writer: Brian McIntyre
Conceived by: Jason Cheong and Edna Tan
Executive Producer: Datuk Faridah Merican
Artistic Director: Joe Hasham
Choreography: Farah Sulaiman

Featuring:
Douglas Lim (actor, comedian – Kopitiam, Broken Bridges)
Joanne Kam Poh Poh (veteran performer and comedienne, Broken Bridges)
Doreen Tang (delightful voice! M! The Opera, numerous shows)
Ho Soon Yoon (actor, singer [Broken Bridges], conductor [In The Mood])
Sabrina Hassan (TV and stage performer – Anjung Budi, PGL)
Kyra Dani (TV and stage actress – Each Other, Forum)
Glamorique Arshad (veteran performer – Mikado, Stand and Deliver, Jalan Impian)
Cheryl Tan (terrific young talent, huge voice – Six Characters in Search)
Ivan Choong (tremendous new vocal talent)

Accompanied on Pianoforte by: Melvin Ho (musician, vocal and choral coach)
Additional music sequenced and orchestrated by: Brian McIntyre

Performance Dates:
May 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, June 1, 2 at 8.30pm, May 27th and June 3rd at 3pm
Venue: The Actors Studio, Bangsar Shopping Centre
Ticket Prices: RM 40 & RM30 (Adults) RM20 (Students, senior citizens & the disabled)

Special promotions:
- One FREE ticket given for every 10 tickets purchased*
- 20% discount for Tuesday & Wednesday (adult tickets only)
- Get a FREE copy of ReaderÂ’s Digest with purchase of 2 or more tickets**

For tickets, please contact: TAS@BSC at 03-2094 0400/1400 or email tickets@theactorsstudio.com.my

For details : http://broadwayparodieslah.blogspot.com/ or http://www.theactorsstudio.com.my/ .

How do I even begin to describe the awesome weekend that has just gone by? Mere words couldn’t do it justice. Especially mere words written on the run. You know how it is when you have like a zillion things to do, but you just have to stop for a while to reflect and savor the precious moments gone by. That’s the thing about phenomenal moments – you just wish that time would stop or slow down so that you can bask in it forever. But time passes on as it always do and so you do the next best thing – capture it in words and pictures.

Here are a few highlights in no particular order:

• The reunion. Oh, what joy to reunite with dear old Planet Shakers KK 05 kakis! Most of us met for the first time then and the bond is still there and growing on strong with every contact. From a bunch of motley crew (as Choon Ean puts it) to about 80 participants represented by 20 different churches at this conference, we have indeed multiplied. How do you explain this bond, this synergy that keeps us wanting to connect and share with each other? It can only be God. The One who handpicked the key leaders and breathed into them the vision and life of LiveWire so that they can inspire many others to collaborate and synergize with them. On that note, I made a few new friends whom I have a feeling I’ll see quite often in the future ;)
• The workshop. The keynote speaker, Louis Pang was also one of the PS KK 05 kakis. It’s incredible to think how we met him for the first time then, little knowing the big plans God has for him and has raised him up to be an internationally acclaimed photographer. We truly learned a lot from him – not just the photography rules, skills and techniques that he so generously imparted to us but more importantly, his principle in putting God first in his life. And it shows in his kindness in giving feedback about our photos in ways that build us up and not tear down, in giving credit when credit is due, in his generosity of knowledge sharing and in his humility and groundedness. A truly inspiring mentor for all media people who are faced with the temptations to take short cuts and quick gains against our principles and values; as well as the temptation to horde our ‘kung fu’ knowledge, be stingy in our compliments and the constant battle with pride.
  

  Louis in action

  

  Students in one of our practice sessions

• The messages. Pastor Cat and Ed’s messages really cut straight into the core of our hearts. It was exactly what we needed to hear. Skills and knowledge without character is a dangerous thing. It’s not enough just to have a vision and a dream, nor just have the ability to endure, or to work well together. We need to know what is our role in the place that we are in and are we living out what we are meant to do? Are we connected to the Source of all power? Are we stepping out in faith when God speaks to us instead of waiting for God to wave His magic wand and change us to Cinderellas? I was personally touched, convicted and empowered by the power of God’s love flowing through their words.

Just want to thank the organisers for all the hard and heart work put in. Because of your tireless work and prayers behind the scenes in getting everything together, the conference became not just a great thing, but a God thing.

Thanks Choon Ean and team for an awesome conference! Your endless enthusiam and passion is contagious!

To this end, I want to share something about essential characteristics of a Christian friendship taken from here:

1. It places God first, the middle strand in a threefold cord (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
2. It follows the principles or laws of bonding (interest in the same things), which include at the forefront a love for godly principles.
3. It involves a give-and-take communication involving advice, criticism, and encouragement.
4. It involves a climate in which the most sensitive of confidences can be exchanged without fear of betrayal.
5. It consists of an unbreakable bond that lasts through good and bad times.

A minister once taught, “A friend is someone, who, if you make a colossal botch of something, doesn’t think you’ve made a permanent job of it.” God is such a friend. Let us try to emulate Him.

Photos courtesy of LiveWire media

Watched this for the first time over the weekend. One word: AWESOME.

The whole production was amazing and the story came alive to me. You actually feel for each of the main characters and the Lun Bawangs. To me, the most challenging role to portray would be the good guys. How do you make a goodie character real and not two-dimensional? Take for instance the missionary. It would have been so easy to let the character appear super spiritual and fake. But Ryan Landis who played the role of missionary Frank Davidson did it so well. His love and passion for God and the Lun Bawangs shone through in a very real and moving way.

Another good person character worth mentioning would be Agnus Tebangan played by the talented Evelyn Kew. She was so inspiring as the loving mother and first person who embraced the ‘White man’s religion’ in the village. The part where she sang a duet with Frank was so nicely done and their amazing vocals blended well together.

And of course, what would the good characters impact be if the baddies did not exist? The village witch – Dayung (played by See Mee Gee) – was deliciously eerie and evil. Her screeches and cackles of laughter is bound to give anyone nightmares. The remaining cast and actors also did a good job and the team work shown was excellent.

Moving on, the score and lyrics of the production were really stellar and top-notch. A major part of the storyline was conveyed through the songs. Kudos to Isaac Chia (main composer) and Sharon Toh (main lyricist) and team for a job well done. There were some words that were not clearly sung by the actors but overall, I could understand what was going on stage.

Last but not least, the sound, video and lighting was superbly done and were on queue. This aspect has a special spot in my heart since some of them are my friends and one of whom, Calvin helped me get a replacement ticket for the one I lost when my bag was snatched. Without his kind help, I would not have gotten a seat since it was full house. Thanks, man!!!

Anyway, the cast and crew are going to KK for the next show on 21 Dec for their last performance this year. Those of you who are in KK, do not miss out. It’s well worth the ticket price (and beyond)! Give yourselves a big pat on the back, SIB KL!

This is so beautifully done. A lot of hard work has gone into it. And it’s so very touching. I’m reminded of the Father’s unconditional love that transcends all understanding. Bravo, Fooman and the SIB Skyline Media team!

Click here to view Amazed ~ an Easter production.

Blessed Easter, everyone.

Liang with his Urban Groove dancers, and the crew

It was a good day of shooting even though there were long hours of waiting for it to begin. But it was worth it.

In the aftermath, we cheered ourselves up with some nice foodies from Laksa Shack. To cheer me up even further, Joe took so many photos of me that I lost count. Might probably upload some of those tomorrow.

Anyway. This is how Grace and I feel right now.

Nite-nite, folks.