The original team behind Siddhartha - The Musical, presents
another full-length Mandarin musical
Above Full Moon
- The legendary life of Master Hong Yi
19 – 21 August 2004, Esplanade Theatre
After its highly successful premiere last weekend at the Putra Indoor Stadium at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which attracted over 11000 audiences, the well-received full-length Mandarin musical Above Full Moon will perform at the Esplanade Theatre from 19 to 21 August, 2004.
The pursuit and display of perfection in life
Above Full Moon is a broadway-styled Mandarin musical depicting the life of Li Shu Tong, also known as Master Hong Yi. He is a legendary figure in modern history of Chinese arts, culture as well as religion. Before the age of 39, he was a talented young artist known as Li Shu Tong. Being one of the pioneers who introduced western art into China, he was a founding member of the first drama company in China, and was also responsible for founding the first magazine for music in China. He also penned many songs that are popular even up till today. After the age of 39, he became known as Master Hong Yi. At the height of his career, he left his worldly achievements and dedicated the rest of his life to Buddhism. This dedication saw him becoming an authoritative figure in Buddhism during his time.
Director cum scriptwriter Ho Lin Huay came across the story of Master Hong Yi by chance. She literally walked into the artistic world of Master Hong Yi, and discovered that the life of this legendary figure was a reflection of the true perfection in life. Lin Huay was so moved that she decided to pen the script for a musical based on Master Hong Yi – a first in the musical fraternity! She spent a total of three years in this writing process.
A highly entertaining visual spectacle
Above Full Moon is presented by Malaysia’s Musical On Stage Productions. It is another collaboration between director Ho Lin Huay and composer Imee Ooi, whose last collaboration in 1999 resulted in the critically acclaimed production Siddhartha - The Musical. Siddhartha first premiered in Malaysia in 1999. A year later, it was performed in Singapore to a sell-out audience. The phenomenal success of Siddhartha prompted it to be staged again in 2002 in Malaysia, and subsequently toured three cities in South Africa.
Above Full Moon brings together the original creative team and main cast of Siddhartha. This new production promises an engaging and touching drama, great musical scores, and spectacular stage and set design. Audiences will be treated to an entertaining performance made up of mainly original scores; some of the familiar legacy works of Li Shu Tong will also be featured. The various original scores are performed in a creative mix of Western symphonic orchestra, Chinese orchestra, and even some new-age music, while the dance movement consists of classical dance, modern dance, Japanese dance, Chinese dance and even martial arts.
The musical traces the life of Master Hong Yi from the age of 19 to 63. The story spans across numerous cities, including Tianjin, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Tokyo. The musical will bring to life Master Hong Yi’s experience of the turbulent and unstable social conditions prevalent at that time, his loss of his mother, a touching love story that blossoms in a foreign land, as well as heart wrenching goodbyes.
For Immediate Release – Above Full Moon Pg 2
Yang Wei Han in challenging role of Master Hong Yi
Above Full Moon brings together some of the most talented singers in Malaysia. The title role of Li Shu Tong / Master Hong Yi is played by Malaysian singer Yang Wei Han, who has earlier performed to critical acclaims the key role of the Buddha in Siddhartha - The Musical. To play the role, Wei Han not only had to shave his head, but also had to go on a special diet to lose weight. He portrays Li Shu Tong in all the different stages of life, which include playing a female role in Camille.
Despite such challenges, Wei Han remains unfazed as he is determined to adopt the same serious and disciplined approach to life typified by Master Hong Yi in his lifetime. With this in mind, Wei Han strives to give his best efforts in every role, in every play.
Leading actresses Beh Kean Horng and Chew Paul Way
Female singers Beh Kean Horng and Chew Paul Way played the roles of Mrs Li Shu Tong and his Japanese lover respectively. The two women are totally different in their personalities; one is totally trapped in feudalistic traditions, while the other is a strong willed woman willing to put aside everything in pursuit of love.
The dedication and hard work the two female singers have put into preparing for their roles will be clear from their performance. The duet by the two of them is a scene to look forward to. The scene where Chew, who plays the Japanese lover, goes to the temple to see Master Hong Yi, who in turn refuse to see any of his relatives, is a touching and technically adept scene.
Publicity in Singapore Director cum scriptwriter Ho Lin Huay, composer Imee Ooi, and the three lead actors Yang Wei Han, Chew Paul Way and Beh Kean Horng will be in Singapore to publicize the musical. Members from the media are invited to attend the publicity event. Date: 15 July 2004 (Thursday) Time: 3pm – 6pm Venue: Park View Hotel, 81 Beach Road, Art Gallery Café (1st Level) RSVP: Jeaner Toh (96937371) or Wong Han Juan (96919716)
For Immediate Release – Above Full Moon Pg 3
Notes from the play
1) The musical traces the life of Master Hong Yi from the age of 19 to 63. In all, the musical lasts two and a half hours, incorporating two halves and seventeen scenes.
2) The production was realized after 3 years of preparations, 8 months of rehearsals; the production cost is over a million Malaysian Ringgit.
3) The story spans from the times of late Qing to modern China, and happens across numerous cities, including Tianjin, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Tokyo.
4) Audiences will be treated to over 130 minutes of original scores; some of the familiar legacy works of Li Shu Tong will also be featured, including Farewell (Song Bie), Remembering the Childhood (Yi Er Shi), The Cool (Qing Liang) and A Mortal Dream (Shi Meng).
5) One of the top ten Malaysian singers Yang Wei Han will play the title role of Master Hong Yi, portraying him from age 19 to 63. The remaining 38 cast members play the other roles.
6) The production will use 300 over costumes from different periods and countries, including Qing China, modern China, and Japanese costumes.
Performance Details
To be performed in Mandarin with English subtitles
Dates: 19 – 21 August 2004, 8 pm
21 August 2004, 2.30 pm
Venue: Esplanade Theatre
Ticket Price*: $80, $65, $45, $30 (for 8 pm show)
$70, $55, $40, $25 (for 2.30 pm show)
*Exclusive of SISTIC fee $2
10% discount for:
Purchase of 6 tickets and more (not applicable for $30 and $25 tickets)
Senior citizens and students
Tickets are available at all SISTIC outlets.
Ticketing Hotline: 6348-5555
Online Booking: www.sistic.com.sg
For enquiries: 6837-3767
Website: www.musicalonstage.com
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The above press release is issued by Musical On Stage Productions
through Page To Stage Studio
*************************
For media enquiries, please call Jeaner Toh at 96937371 or Han Juan at 96919716,
or email: pagetostage@pacific.net.sg
For Immediate Release – Above Full Moon Pg 4
Master Hong Yi
Before he was ordained, Master Hong Yi was known by his given name, Li Shu Tong. He was born into a wealthy family in Tianjin in 1880. Since a young age, he had shown great talents in the fields of poetry, calligraphy, painting and music. Upon reaching the age of 19, he moved to Shanghai and enrolled himself into the Nanyang Public School. While studying there, Li formed the Shanghai Painting and Calligraphy Society.
In 1905, Li moved to Tokyo to further his studies. He enrolled himself in an arts college, pursuing the study of Western painting and Western music. Together with some others, Li also founded the Chun Liu Drama Society, which performed many Western theatres including the renowned theatre, “Camille”. In so doing, they were the first Chinese group to ever perform a Western theatre.
After graduating in 1910, Li returned to China. He first started working as an editor of a newspaper and a magazine. Two years later, Li took up teaching. He taught painting and music in various colleges in Hangzhou and Nanjing from 1912 to 1918. During this period of time, Li’s reputation grew, as he became the first Chinese educator to use nude models in his painting classes, as well as the first to teach Western music in China. Some of the students whom he personally groomed, went on to become accomplished masters of the arts in their later days. Li Shu Tong himself was also an accomplished composer and lyricist. Many of his compositions are still remembered and performed today.
In 1916, Li underwent a 17-day fast at a temple in Hangzhou, and experienced the benefit of a spiritual life. The following year, he took refuge in the Three Jewels of Buddhism. In 1918, Li began a new chapter in his life by choosing to be ordained as a monk. Thus began a holistic life dedicated to propagating Buddhism and its code of conduct. He became known to all as Master Hong Yi. In 1942, Master Hong Yi passed away peacefully in Quanzhou.
Master Hong Yi at a glance
1880, born in Tianjin into a wealthy family
Excelled in poetry, calligraphy, painting, music since young
Moved to Shanghai at 19, enrolled in the Nanyang School and formed the Shanghai painting and calligraphy society
1905, he went to Japan to study Western painting and music
1906, he and some school mates formed the “Chun Liu” Drama Society while studying in Japan, they became the first ever Chinese group to perform a western drama
1910, he graduated and returned to China
1912 – 1918, he taught arts and music at various colleges. He was the first Chinese educator to use nude models in his painting classes and pioneered the teaching of Western music in China. As a teacher, he groomed and trained many excellent and accomplished students
He was the composer and lyricist for many famous songs, many of which are still performed today
1916, he underwent a 17-day fast at a temple and experienced the benefit of a spiritual life. He took refuge in the Three Jewels of Buddhism the next year
1918, ordained as a monk and resolved to propagate Buddhism as his life mission
1942, passed away peacefully at QuanZhou
Musical On Stage Productions (Malaysia)
Musical On Stage Productions was formed by a group of talented Malaysian arts performers whose common passion was musical theatre. The group’s professed mission was to produce musical theatre works of international standards in Malaysia. At the same time, it aimed to promote the performing arts and to provide an avenue for performers in the region to work together.
The group’s first production was the widely acclaimed Siddhartha - The Musical in 1999. Since that bright start in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Siddhartha had gone on to tour other cities like Singapore, Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, playing to a total audience of fifty-five thousand in three years. The great support from audiences, as well as the strong commitment of all members, had given the group immense confidence and determination to scale further new heights in future. The successful production and staging of Above Full Moon would be the key objective of Musical On Stage Productions in 2004.
Above Full Moon depicts the life of Li Shu Tong / Master Hong Yi. He was undoubtedly a legendary figure in modern day Chinese history, especially in the fields of arts, culture and religion. In the early half of his life, Master Hong Yi had done so much for the development of Chinese arts, music and drama. In the later half of his life, he embraced Buddhism wholeheartedly and ultimately became a highly respected Buddhist monk of that era.
The group believed that presenting the life story of Master Hong Yi in a broadway-styled musical would not only be very appealing, but most importantly would also be a fitting acknowledgement of the man himself, who had contributed so greatly to the promotion of arts, music and drama.
The Main Cast
Yang Wei Han
Wei Han holds a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Technology Malaysia. He has won a number of architectural awards before. In 1997, his keen love for music saw Wei Han stepping into the pop music industry as a recording artiste. His debut album that year was titled “Loving You Is Actually Perilous”. Since then, Wei Han has recorded quite a number of compilation albums such as 2003’s “Compilations of Chinese Song Legend Yao Min” and other Buddhist song albums.
Wei Han is certainly an accomplished singer. He has won a string of local music awards including the Best Newcomer Award in 1997, Top Ten Singer Award from 1998 to 2003, and 2000 Chinese AIM Best Song Arrangement and Song of the Year Award. In 2001, Wei Han represented Malaysia in the “April Spring Friendship Art Festival” in North Korea and eventually won “The Most Original Creative Award” for his composition. In 1999, he played the leading character in Siddhartha - The Musical, taking on the roles of Siddhartha and Buddha. Following that, from 2000 to 2002, he performed in the same roles when the musical toured Singapore and South Africa.
Chew Paul Way
Paul Way used to study pop and musical singing in Taiwan. She is presently a vocal instructor of pop music at Encore Music. She is also a composer and lyricist. Her compositions have been bought by Taiwan’s Sony Music and recorded by its stable of artistes such as Coco Lee and Wang Siu Ling. Paul Way started her career in 1996 recording radio and television commercials for Fuji Film, ZA cosmetics and TM Touch, among others. She had also lent her vocals to many foreign artistes either in their concerts or in their albums.
In 2003, Paul Way represented Malaysia, and attended the first Buddhist Song Writing Competition in Taiwan as a performing guest artiste. In 1999, she was cast as Princess Yasodhara, the wife of Prince Siddhartha, in Siddhartha - The Musical. Her beautiful singing and excellent performance in the musical left a great impression on all.
Beh Kean Horng
Kean Horng graduated from the International College of Music (ICOM), majoring in music arrangement, composition, and music production. She was so outstanding that ICOM even conferred upon her the title of Best College Performer. She is presently working as a Vocal Instructor at Lee Wei Song’s School of Music. Kean Horng had been taking piano and vocal lessons since the age of 10 and finished grade 8 in both practical and theory music under The Associated Board of The Royal School of Music (ABRSM).
At age 17, Kean Horng came in 1st runner-up in a Star of Radio 5 Singing Finals. Then in 1999, she won the 1st runner-up position in Astro Talent Quest. Her singing talents were quickly recognized and led to her guest performing for renowned Taiwanese artistes David Tao and Sky Wu in Malaysia in 2002 and 2003 respectively.
Christopher Lay Seng Peng
Christopher can lay claim to a number of winning awards including the 1st runner-up position in 1995’s Star of Asia Singing Competition, and 1998’s Astro Talent Quest champion. He also represented Malaysia in the TVB International Chinese New Talent Singing Championship in Guangzhou, China.
Christopher has had three albums to his name so far – “The Burning Light Song” recorded in 2000, “Love. Legend. Story” recorded in 2002, and “Bodhi Tree” recorded in 2004. In 2003, he set up his own arts school called Greenwich Performing Arts. Christopher also had a role in Siddhartha - The Musical.
William Kow Wei Lieh
William studied vocals under the guidance of Mezzo Soprano Susan Dworkin-Mac Innis in Canada. There, he also performed in Handel’s “Messiah” and Britten’s “Paul Bunyan”. In 1998 and 1999, he won the first position in King’s Country Music Festival. After graduating, William returned to Malaysia. He continued his vocal studies with Tenor Low Kok Yau and Soprano Cecilia Yap. William’s first professional appearance was in the role of Papageno in Mozart’s “The Magic Flute”. In recent years, William has joined the National Choir and has sung with it in many different venues. He is the musical director of The Summer’ Singers and is currently busy with his teaching and performance schedule.
The Creative Team
Ho Lin Huay (Director/Producer/Scriptwriter/Lyricist)
Lin Huay graduated from the University of Miami in the United States with a degree in motion picture and theatre production. She currently works in the television industry as producer and writer. Some of the programmes that she has produced include the annual Astro Talent Quest Competition from 1998 to 2003, and Malaysia’s annual Miss Chinese Pageant from 1998 to 2003. Lin Huay is also an award-winning music video director, having won a best MTV award in Malaysia’s Top 10 Singing Artistes Award in 2000. Her talents also extend to both singing and composing, with two commendable Buddhist albums “ling xin hui yu” and “ji le” under her belt.
Lin Huay foundered the performing group, Musical On Stage Productions. Back in 1999, she produced, wrote and directed Siddhartha - The Musical, the biggest Malaysian-produced musical at that time. The musical was very well received in Malaysia, and even went on to be staged in Singapore the following year. And in 2002, Siddhartha went on a successful tour of three cities in South Africa.
Imee Ooi (Musical Director/Composer/Arranger/Music Producer)
Imee is presently a full-time music composer, producer and arranger. She holds a teaching degree in classical piano from the United Kingdom. In 1997, Imee formed her own company, I.M.M. Musicworks, committing herself to the production and promotion of Buddhistic music. Some of her better-known music albums include The Chant of Metta, Heart Sutra, Mantras of the Sanskrits, and Ratana Sutra. These could be found distributed in countries like Malaysia, United States, Australia, South Africa, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Singapore.
In 1999, Imee was invited to do music compositions and arrangement for Siddhartha - The Musical. The lovely tunes and multi-dimensional compositions heard in Siddhartha received rave reviews from audiences both local and overseas. Recently, renowned Taiwanese singer, Chyi, recorded some of Imee’s compositions in her latest album.
Michelle Yong Soo Fon (Choreographer)
Michelle has been trained in a mix of classical ballet, Chinese traditional dance and contemporary dance. And she has participated and performed in many international dance festivals held in Asia. Some of the prominent big-scale events she has participated in and choreographed include the Opening and Closing Ceremony of the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, the Chinese Dance Festival, Hang Li Po and Siddhartha - The Musical. Michelle is currently the owner of Dynasty House, which is a company specializing in designing and making dance and period costumes.
Mac Chan (Lighting Designer)
Mac graduated from the National Institute of Arts in Taiwan. He is an associate member of the International Association of Lighting Designers. He has been involved as a lighting designer in many big-scale events and productions, namely Siddhartha - The Musical, the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony in 1998, and the Grand Opening of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Other notable works include - The Musical Hang Li Po, Island in Between, Emily of the Emerald Hill, The Coffin is Too Big for the Hole, and Gross Indecency. Of particular mention is the fact that Mac has won the Best Lighting Award in the Cameronian Arts Awards two years in a row.
David Wong (Production Designer)
David graduated from the Malaysia Institute of Arts, majoring in the study of fine arts. He has had many years of experience in set and prop design, as well as construction. His previous works include Siddhartha - The Musical, The Sound of Music, Emily of Emerald Hill, Millennium Culture Festival in Chinatown, to name a few.
Caren Yee (Costume Designer)
Caren graduated from the International Fashion Training Centre. She is presently working as a wardrobe designer in the Astro TV station. Some of her notable works can be seen in the Miss Malaysia Chinese International Pageant, Tun Fatimah, and Siddhartha - The Musical.
Kenzo De Tuan (Chief Make-up & Hairstylist)
Kenzo graduated from the Malaysia Institute of Arts, majoring in drama. He has previously taken his dance lessons in a dance training school in Guangdong, China. As a performer, Kenzo has participated in many big-scale productions such as Ma Zhu, Hang Li Po and Yap Ah Loy. As an established stylist, Kenzo has styled for theatrical productions such as Siddhartha - The Musical, Sam and Jet, and Opera Highlights. He used to work as an image consultant at Couple’s World Bridal Gallery before founding DanceZap Production in 2001. Presently, Kenzo is a dance instructor, as well as a lecturer in the field of image and styling.
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