Big names in Ramlee musical
Dennis Chua
Sean Ghazi and Liza Hanim. |
MALAYSIA’S King of Entertainment, the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee (1929-73), is set to “appear” in Istana Budaya’s most anticipated musical of the year, from Oct 18 to Nov 3.
Entitled P. Ramlee The Musical, The Life, The Love & The Inspiration, it is a musical about Ramlee’s life and career.
Enfiniti Productions also made Puteri Gunung Ledang — The Musical last year.
The show’s executive producer is Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina and its co-directors are Zahim Albakri and Adlin Aman Ramlie.
Jangan Tidur Lagi co-host and Puteri Gunung Ledang star Adlin is the son of Ramlee’s close friend and screen legend A. R. Tompel. He also wrote the lyrics for the musical’s 20 songs, with music composed by acclaimed Singaporean composer Dick Lee.
Indonesian music maestro Erwin Gutawa is the music director while Pat Ibrahim of Tv reality series So You Think You Can Dance? is the choreographer.
Taking on the role of Remy (Ramlee’s nickname) is Miss Saigon and Anna and the King star Sean Ghazi. He was also honoured in this year’s Anugerah Industri Muzik
Anugerah Juara Lagu 2002 Best Vocalist Liza Hanim, who is also a actress and Ramlee fan, stars as the icon’s wife, Puan Sri Salmah Ismail or Saloma. Liza is best known for her hits such as Dunia Cinta and Andainya Aku Bersuara and her appearance in the film Laila Isabella, with Nasha Aziz and Rosyam Nor.
Saloma’s niece Melissa Saila takes on the role of Norizan Mohd Noor, Ramlee’s second wife who was also an award-winning actress, and famous for her star turn in Tan Sri Jins Shamsuddin’s Esok Untuk Siapa.
Melissa has starred in films, television series and advertisements since she was six. She has released four pop and R&B albums under her own label, Marimaliss Productions, and directed independent films such as Putaow vs Bakapao which was screened at the Singapore International Film Festival in 1999.
The role of Junaidah Daeng Harris, another of Ramlee’s wives, is played by jazz singer Raja Atilia Raja Haron, the daughter of veteran jazz star and “advertisement jingle queen” Salamiah Hassan.
Pop queen Datuk Siti Nurhaliza is making her debut in acting in the musical. She will portray the mysterious Azizah, who is widely believed to be Ramlee’s first love and the inspiration for his hit song Azizah.
The rest of the actors include Chedd Yusuf of Audition fame, GangStarz finalists Infinatez and So You Think You Can Dance winner Alam.
In a recent Press conference, Tiara said the musical would reveal an unknown side of Ramlee.
It would also make known the man to the younger generation.
Ticket prices are priced at RM30, RM50, RM80, RM120, RM150, RM180 and RM200. Time: 8.30pm. Venue: Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur. Call Istana Budaya at 03-4026-5555.
source : the new straits times
