Adam The Musical, first staged in 2010, makes a comeback with a more optimistic and contemporary look, writes Dennis Chua
EIGHT years ago, Adam The Musical made its debut in the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre and was warmly received by theatre fans as a story full of heart.
The story is about lovebirds Adam and Mia, played by Malik Taufiq and Maria Yasmin respectively, who await their wedding day, only to see it shelved
because Adam falls gravely ill and gets hospitalised.
Directed by Joe Hasham and scripted by Mark Beau De Silva, Adam is a collaborative project with the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) and is aimed at raising awareness about HIV / AIDS.
However, its main theme is humanity and compassion — accepting friends for who they are, and learning to love and forgive despite our differences.
The first season ran for a record 35 performances and gave audiences 18 memorable songs titled Here, Here's A Lollipop, I Don't Need A Wheelchair Anymore, It's Funny and I Ask You, among others.
With minimal props and sets consisting of grey projections on a white background, its song-and-dance routines were beautifully showcased through the dynamic choreography of Lex Balakrishnan and Fairuz "Fee" Tauhid.
From Aug 24 to Sept 1, Adam returns for a second run in KLPAC, and much has changed in this modern love story about beating the odds with music, humour and love.
Follow Adam and Mia as they navigate their "complicated" relationship amidst meddling relatives, nosey aunts, and hilarious best friends to finally come to the most important question in the world — is happily ever after possible when you are different?
Joe is once again directing Adam, and it will also be staged tomorrow and Sunday as part of the Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival 2018 in KLPAC.
As in 2010, it features original music written by Teng Ky-Gan and Lim Chuang Yik plus an updated script by De Silva.
Malik reprises his role as the titular character, but this time Teresa Goh takes over the role of Mia.
The other cast members include executive producer Datuk Faridah Merican as Noni, Nikki Palikat (Flora), Zhafir Muzani (Mangga), Fee (Jambu), and the ensemble cast comprising Amanda Xavier, Iz Sulaini, Joe Chin, Karynn Tan, Min Wong, Nabilah Hamid and Riena Aisya.
Below is an interview with Joe, Malik and Teresa:
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER ADAM.
Malik: This is the second time I'm playing the Adam character but it's not the same Adam as the last time.
I'm putting a youngish 35-year-old spin on this Adam but like the old Adam, he doesn't judge creed or colour. This Adam is more mature, irritatingly loud and a joker.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT ADAM? DO YOU SEE PART OF YOURSELF IN HIM?
Malik: I like his spontaneity. I'm a boring person in real life. Adam is more easy going.
We share the same likes for music, from classic rock to EDM, and we both like to hit the gym.
Tell us about the rehearsals for the musical. Is there any new cast member who impressed you and why?
Malik: The rehearsals have been brilliant. They have been going on for less than two months.
Everyone impressed me. We are all bringing our A-game to the show.
Teresa and Nikki are phenomenal and they are blessed with angelic voices.
IS ADAM YOUR MOST CHALLENGING CHARACTER TO DATE?
Adam is challenging because he hides a secret that he is sensitive to share with others openly.
I'm like an open book in comparison. It's not easy to play someone who is opposite in nature to myself.
I won't say he's the most challenging but he's the most vulnerable character I'm playing.
HOW IT IS LIKE BEING DIRECTED BY JOE HASHAM? HOW MANY PROJECTS HAVE YOU DONE WITH HIM?
I love my director. He gives me freedom and direction.
I've worked on A Man For All Seasons, Ismail The Last Days and others I can't recall.
He is an idol of mine and I like to think of him as my Gandalf.
HOW IT IS LIKE WORKING WITH TERESA?
Teresa is amazing. She is such a giving person and actor.
She is a professional and we have a good working chemistry on stage.
We have never worked together in the past, and I do hope we can collaborate on more in the future.
PHYSICALLY CHALLENGING TASKS TO LOOK LIKE A SICK ADAM?
Adam doesn't have a death sentence this round because of anti-retroviral medications.
I let the character do what he feels he needs to do. There are no uncomfortable things I can think about.
DO YOU sing well?
I think I sing very well in the toilet and on my Smule. That's me just being "perasan".
My voice has become raspy through the years.
I have not taken any vocal lessons. I learn from YouTube and from Tria Aziz, who starred in the first season of Adam.
ANY FILM PROJECTS COMING UP?
I did a film project for a Hong Kong production beginning of this year and had the pleasure of playing a role in a movie that will be screened next year. Watch out for The Garden Of Evening Mists.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER MIA. HOW IS SHE DIFFERENT FROM THE LAST TIME?
Teresa: Mia is positive, someone who believes in love, and someone who wears her heart on her sleeve.
Her journey in Adam shows how she strives to continue to see the good when she's thrown into a situation beyond her wildest imagination.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT MIA?
I like how bubbly and cheerful she can be. I do see a lot of myself in Mia.
She's got a "love triumphs over all" vibe, and that is something I like to believe is still applicable in this day and age.
Tell us about rehearsals for the musical.
The rehearsals are fun! There are tough moments but with the entire cast was so dedicated, always giving its best, and everyone being so down to earth at the same time, it makes me want to be at rehearsals even on unscheduled days!
WHAT IS YOUR MOST CHALLENGING CHARACTER TO DATE?
Mia — because her journey is so real.
What happens in this story, can and does happen in real life.
Seeing so much of myself in Mia, the hardest part is coming to terms with "what if this really happened to me" in reality.
So I had to do some soul searching, to go deep into myself, to learn what it is like to be in a similar situation and then learn if I can accept and still choose love over all.
HOW IS IT LIKE BEING DIRECTED BY JOE HASHAM?
This is my first time working on a full fledged musical with KLPAC under Joe’s direction.
I've previously participated as a cast in Short+Sweet Malaysia — which actually landed me role of Mia!
I was "discovered" by Joe while performing a song that won two awards (Audience Choice and Second Runner Up) in Short+Sweet Song 2017.
The song titled I Will Take My Chances was written and composed by my friend Karynn Tan, who is also part of the Adam cast.
Working with Joe has forced me to "grow up". I had to learn to take serious ownership of my character, her feelings, thoughts and actions and do what is appropriate for each moment.
As a director, Joe doesn't micro-manage and tell you what to do or how to feel but when he does give you a note or a comment about a certain scene or characterisation, you know it will just bring things to greater heights.
I believe we work well together and I'm certain we will continue to be friends even after Adam.
Of course, I do look forward to working with KLPAC and Joe again in the future.
It has been a wonderful experience so far.
HOW IT IS LIKE WORKING WITH MALIK?
This is my first time working with Malik. As he has been in the theatre industry way longer than I have, there's so much I can learn from him.
One of the things he reminded me of was the layers that lies within a character which make a character real, different.
Malik is easy to work with and we work well together.
He is always so encouraging and is keen to try new things or new ways to go about a scene.
ANY UNCOMFORTABLE EXPERIENCE ON THE SET OF ADAM?
I'm not a dancer but I love to dance. If that makes any sense at all!
So the thought of dance choreography at the beginning was a little scary but I know with much practice, I'll be able to make it work.
At least I'm quite good with my sense of timing.
And there is a kiss scene. As this is my first kiss scene ever, I felt a little shy at the beginning.
But that feeling went away soon enough because everyone is just so professional.
So it wasn't uncomfortable but just something totally new for me.
HAS YOUR SINGING IMPROVED OVER THE YEARS?
I've been singing for many years, since I was a child and even performed for gigs.
But I have learnt that singing in a musical is very different from singing mainstream songs.
With every musical I'm involved in, I believe my singing has indeed improved.
I have taken a couple of vocal lessons but I'm yet to find a teacher/coach whom I would like to stick with.
ANY FILM PROJECTS COMING UP?
No, I am yet to venture into film although I think I could get quite good at it.
The film industry is definitely something I would love to be part of.
HAS THE STORY CHANGED for the second season?
Nine years ago, when we first presented Adam, HIV/AIDS was considered to be an almost certain death sentence.
That fact most definitely influenced the storyline and its tone and mood.
The original Adam storyline was dark, sombre and gloomy, with not much hope in sight, although it did have its moments of dark humour.
This time around, the story has changed dramatically, mainly due to the change in the HIV/AIDS scenario.
Today Adam is a love story. Rather than death and gloom, the overtones lean more toward hope and love. The icing on the cake is the wonderful humour that has been injected into the story.
The songs too have taken on a more hopeful tone.
HOW IS IT LIKE WORKING WITH MALIK and teresa?
Malik is an absolute joy to work with. I have directed him in several productions prior to this.
He has so much charm as an actress and he treats his acting very seriously. I don't know why it took me so long to find Teresa. She has such strength as an actress. She sings (of course), dances and acts.
I first saw her in Short+Sweet Song and was totally mesmerised by her performances.
She is a thinking performer and a wonderful team player. I'd work with her again anytime!
IS THE CAST ENTIRELY NEW COMPARED TO THE FIRST SEASON? HOW MANY OF THE ORIGINAL CAST MEMBERS HAVE BEEN RETAINED?
The returning cast members from the first season are Alvin Looi, Fee, Malik and Faridah. The others are all new.