Facility slated to become cultural cornerstone of S’gor township
A new performing arts centre is set to open in Sunway City, Selangor, in August.
The Jeffrey Cheah Performing Arts Centre (JCPAC) is part of developer Sunway Group’s long-term vision to position the township as a regional hub for performing arts.
The centre’s inaugural season will stretch through January next year.
Sunway Group executive deputy chairman Datin Paduka Sarena Cheah said the centre would be the cultural cornerstone for the township.
She said the development reflected founder Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah’s long-held belief that a thriving city must go beyond physical infrastructure to include a strong cultural and artistic identity.
“The performing arts centre represents the soul and beating heart of Sunway City, bringing arts, culture and heritage into everyday life and helping define the character of the township,” Sarena said during the facility’s soft launch.
The opening performance at the launch was a dance by Zamzuriah Zahari, followed by percussion ensemble Hands Percussion as well as performances by violinist Yuka Matsumoto and pianist Shao-Peng Wang.
Sarena said the centre would serve as a space where communities could gather, be inspired and connect through shared cultural experiences.
The addition of the performing arts centre, she said, introduced a new cultural dimension to the ecosystem, complementing educational institutions in the area.
“With some 65,000 students across these universities, the energy, diversity and collaboration within this community will help make the arts part of everyday life,” said Sarena.
JCPAC is also the final component of Sunway Square, an integrated development that includes twin corporate office towers, which are currently about 70% occupied.
Sarena said the venue would cater to corporate events too, highlighting that businesses within the township would be able to utilise the centre, alongside other facilities such as Sunway Resort Hotel and Sunway Lagoon.
“The centre aims to play a larger role beyond the township, particularly in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026.
“Our vision is for this to be a world-class performing arts centre that brings global culture to Malaysia’s doorstep, while providing a platform for local talent to reach the world stage,” she said.
Sarena added that the group hoped that the venue would, over time, establish itself as a key cultural landmark in South-East Asia, similar to how New York’s Broadway and London’s West End are recognised globally.
JCPAC producing artistic director Melissa Teoh said the centre was envisioned as part of a broader ecosystem needed for the arts to grow.
The inaugural season will feature productions such as Puteri Gunung Ledang: The Musical and Butterfly Lovers: The Musical, alongside international performances making their Malaysian debut.
The venue will include a 1,200-seat proscenium theatre equipped with Malaysia’s first active acoustic system, as well as a 150-seat experimental theatre designed for more intimate performances.
Programmes planned for the opening season will span theatre, music, dance and comedy, along with educational initiatives, workshops and community engagement activities aimed at nurturing future audiences.
Also present during the soft launch were Sunway Education Group chief executive officer Prof Datuk Dr Elizabeth Lee and JCPAC commercial director Cho We Jun.
