A MUSICAL performance, called Story of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, will finally be held at the SETIA Spice Arena in Penang on Dec 17 (8pm) and Dec 18 (2pm).
The musical, which Pek Ee Tong, a temple located in Jelutong, wanted to bring to Penang, had to be postponed two years ago due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said since Penang rarely hosts large-scale Buddhist musicals, he hoped the two-day musical in Penang would bring various Buddhist groups in Malaysia together and also let more people know about Buddhism.
“The state government has always been promoting the spirit of peaceful coexistence and mutual support among the people of Penang while promoting economic recovery.
“I hope through the coming musical, we can further promote mutual respect for different religious cultures.
“Through touching songs, dances and modern and aesthetic theater effects, the musical reflects the great mercy and compassion of Avalokitesvara (Quan Yin),” Yeoh said in his speech.
He said his PETACE office would be hosting the Penang Bridge International Marathon on Dec 11, and he hoped the participants could attend the musical as well.
In addition to the musical, he said a charity sale would be held in some exhibition areas where stalls would be set up to promote local handicrafts and food culture.
State executive councillor Chong Eng, who is in charge of the state’s Social Development and non-Islamic Religious Affairs portfolio, said although the musical is in Chinese, there would be an English translation on the screen.
“I encourage people from other religions to buy a ticket and watch the musical. A better understanding of other religions can help us promote social and religious harmony.
“The Penang government launched the Love Penang campaign last Friday to promote harmonious living and to build a caring society in line with its Penang2030 vision,” Chong Eng said.
To support the musical, Yeoh’s office and Chong Eng’s office contributed RM20,000 and RM5,000 respectively to Pek Ee Tong.
Also present at the announcement ceremony of the musical were Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer, Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim, Batu Lancang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong, Pek Ee Tong’s Ven Master Shih Kai Xun, the musical’s organising chairman Gan Soon Huat and the musical’s director Ho Lin Huay.
Ho said the Story of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, which was produced by her company, Asia Musical Productions, would be held for the first time out of Kuala Lumpur since it was premiered in 2016.
“This musical consists of four short stories about Quan Yin and involves 80 members. It is very challenging to put up the musical because some members have gone overseas for work and I have to find new people to replace them.
“Fortunately, most of the main actors are still available. And many of the cast are from Kuala Lumpur.
“We have done more than 10 musicals over the past 20 years but Pek Ee Tong, being associated with Quan Yin, understandably chose the Story of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva as its musical,” said Ho.
Tickets for the musical are priced at RM300, RM100 and RM50. They can be purchased by scanning the QR code. For further enquiries, please contact +6012 2388 356 or +6016 4372 388.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar