‘Searching’ for hope and connection in a moving musical showcase

‘Searching…’ comprises four short musicals performed by graduating students from the Tutas Conservatory of Performing Arts. (klpac pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Since its formation in 2019, the Taylor’s University and The Actor’s Studio (Tutas) Conservatory of Performing Arts has helped aspiring young performers discover and refine their artistic and musical talents.

The institution has staged six groundbreaking performances since 2021 as part of its Production Practicum module, where students can hone their theatre-making skills, and showcase their creativity and talent.

This year, Tutas makes its maiden voyage into the exciting world of musical theatre, with its latest production “Searching…”. Comprising four short critically acclaimed musicals by local composer Nick Choo, this poignant anthology promises to take audiences on an unforgettable journey of hope, memory, loss and discovery.

“Searching…” will be performed by Tutas Conservatory’s seventh batch of graduating students, namely Jerry Pang Hau Chuen, Jane Tee Le Qian, Serena Sok Qi Ying, Evelynn Chua, Mitchell Liong Chai Ing and Lew Calista Vann Kay.

Helping to bring the musicals to life are supervisory scenographer Yusman Mokhtar, vocal director Joe Loy, music director and pianist Lee Han, and violinist Andrea Sim.

“Searching…” was previously performed under the title “Lost/Found” by production company theatrethreesixty in 2019. Its director, Christopher Ling, returns to take the helm of this new production.

The talented cast includes (back row, from left) Calisa Lew, Evelynn Chua, Jerry Pang and Serena Sok; Jane Tee (front left) and Mitchell Liong. (Tat Chin pic)

Ling shared that this version of the show will be different from previous incarnations. For one thing, it will be staged in the round: audience members will be seated on all sides of the stage to ensure a more immersive viewing experience.

Minimalist staging will also be employed, to emphasise storytelling and musicality.

“There’s also a lot more choreography throughout the show, courtesy of Serena, our cast member, which will definitely showcase her unique choreographic style,” Ling told FMT Lifestyle.

Both Choo and Ling are prominent names in the local performing arts landscape: Choo is an award-winning composer who has won many accolades, most notably the inaugural Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Creative Excellence Award at the annual Short+Sweet Musical festival in 2014.

Ling, on the other hand, is The Actor’s Studio Malaysia associate artistic director and a multiple Boh Cameronian Arts Award recipient.

“Choo’s music mirrors his adeptness at capturing the very human emotions of his characters and the familiar, down-to-earth situations that they find themselves in,” Ling told FMT Lifestyle.

“His music is therefore honest and truthful in what it needs to convey – besides, of course, being tuneful ear worms!”

‘Searching…’ is directed by The Actor’s Studio Malaysia associate artistic director Christopher Ling. (klpac pic)

“Searching…” kicks off with “Little Girl Lost”, which follows a father in search of his missing daughter. He encounters three women who are reminded of their own experiences.

Ling’s personal favourite of the four is “Dreaming Outside The Box”, previously performed by Aaron Teoh and Tria Aziz at the Short and Sweet Musical 2013 festival, where it won eight awards.

The whimsical yet moving tale centres on Jack and Jackie, two old-school toys left behind in a world of digital entertainment, who long for the day they can be played with again.

“It features beautifully wistful melodies that are in stark contrast to the harsh realities the two toys must face. But even so, Jack and Jackie put on a brave face and ‘keep marching on’,” Ling said, quoting the show’s lyrics.

This will be followed by “Cartography of a Relationship”, which explores the ups and downs of a couple’s love story through a unique perspective – their GPS device!

Concluding the show is “Commencement”, which depicts the hopes and fears of four young people who are about to attend their graduation ceremony and enter the real world. A fitting finale for a production by soon-to-be performing arts graduates.

According to Ling, “Searching…” is a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit, told through an elegant combination of story and song.

“The journey of life involves the process of finding as well as losing things along the way – and that’s OK. Resilience is what’s needed to effectively tackle the uncertainties of life head on,” he concluded.