Asia Dance Channel

Adam the Musical

20 June 2010

The Actor’s Studio @ Lot 10

By Michael Yao
Photography by Kelab Shashin Fotografi KL

Adam the Musical is an uncommon love story with a twist. It is filled with objections for the bold and faithful love towards a HIV-infected person.

In collaboration with the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, Director Joe Hasham and his crew -created Adam the Musical to raise public awareness on HIV/AIDS, a disease feared and misunderstood by people. The musical runs for 2 hours and it is the longest running musical in Malaysia with 35 consecutive plays.

The story focuses on a couple-to-wed, both of them from different background, culture and religion: Adam (played by Malik Taufik), is a simple “Kampung” Muslim who works for the Malaysian AIDS Foundation. He has friends who are transsexuals and they are fully supportive of Adam’s marriage. Slivia on the other hand (played by Maria Yasmin and Tabitha Kong respectively), is a naive Catholic who fell in love with Adam, despite his religion and her sister’s protest. Other supporting characters includes Adam’s Aunt and his two friends, Slivia’s sister, a narrating “Angel” named Michael and the wheelchair carrier ghost in the hospital.

It was revealed early in the plot that Adam is HIV-positive but only he and his two friends know. Slivia only found out when Adam was admitted to the hospital. As the story goes on, Slivia ponders about her future as a widow. At the climax of the story, Silvia’s sister is joyful to find Adam sick. She has been protesting this “blasphemous” marriage and she had predicted that their marriage is not going to be happy, as her previous marriage also failed. In the end, Slivia made up her mind to marry Adam and help him conquer the disease.

Overall, the costumes were modern and simple; the music, entertaining; and the choreography, fantastic. However, the dialogues were a little confusing at first. As the musical progressed, I felt like I was getting more and more involved in the story and relate to each character.

Most important of all, the musical was all about educating the public to accept HIV-positive patients by showing them love and respect. Besides diseases, the musical also teaches not to discriminate those who are different from us – whether they are of different religion or gender.

To sum my review, I would say that the musical was touching, hilarious and addictive. Director Joe Hasham did a brilliant job with the musical. He also delivered a touching speech when the curtain closed. My heart was touched by the speech as well as the musical. Two thumbs up to the crew and actors/actresses of Adam the Musical.