Savour Teresa Teng nostalgia at show

IT has been 10 years since she died, but Teresa Teng remains an idol in the hearts of many Chinese, both young and old.  

Until today, her mellifluous voice can still be heard in different parts of the world, bringing back sweet memories and soothing fatigued souls. 

Tong looks and sounds very much likethe late Teresa Teng

It is impossible to see the legend on stage again, but Heritage Music Sdn Bhd is presenting something close to that.  

Its musical theatre production Unforgettable Teresa Teng, Comes A-Live features Tong Yao, a girl in her late 20s who looks and sounds so much like Teng that producer Kok Kee Boon was speechless when she auditioned for the part. 

The audition covered seven China provinces in three years.  

Only then did he find out that the girl from Szechuan had earlier won the first prize of a Teresa Teng look-and-sound-alike contest, organised on a national scale in China by Teresa Teng Foundation.  

She is also the first-prize winner of China CCTV Music Competition and Macao Golden Great Wall Cup National Vocal Competition.  

“No one can take Teng’s place, but Tong Yao is very much like her. For a moment I really thought Teng came back from the dead. I was ecstatic to finally see her when I was about to wrap up the audition,” Kok said at a press conference at Nanyang Siang Pau, recently.  

The function saw Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press representatives signing as the production’s official media.  

“I am not the only one who thinks like that, all media members who covered the production’s preview at Panggung Bandaraya DBKL recently gave similar comments,” he said.  

(From left) China Press business development manager Ng Woon Hwee, Kokand Nanyang Siang Pau business development manager May Wong.

Kok said audience will be treated to more than just a concert - it will be an unforgettable experience of Teresa Teng presented through traditional essences and modern styles.  

First of all, Tong will serenade audience with at least 30 tunes against a grand backdrop adorned by Teng’s videos and photographs.  

“Be prepared to get pleasant surprises because some of these songs, photos and footages were never released before,” he said, citing Legend of the Wind, Forsaken Love Song and Goodbye My Love.  

The production also highlights local artist Salimah Mahmood, and two other talents songstress Gen Liping and musician He Yun.  

Gen was the star of the Teresa Teng Tribute Show in Hebei Stadium, and bagged Silver Medal for the 10th CCTV Young Singers Competition and first-prize winner of Beijing TV National English Song Contest.  

He won a gold medal in the Italian Arts Festival, among other awards.  

China’s award-winning director, choreographer and stage designer have been roped in for the show, too.  

Thirty-strong China Hebei Song and Dance Troupe will perform to the songs.  

Kok, who has 15 years of experience in musical production said Life Records, which he believed to own the largest archive of Teng’s works, was also involved.  

“Unknown to many, Teng spent eight years in the early part of her career in Malaysia and we would like to highlight this period when she was most beautiful, and her vocal at her best,” said Kok.  

At the same time, Life Records will release an exclusive Teresa Teng’s CD of 20 songs chosen from its archive of 242 songs and 22 albums.  

It features four unreleased songs, a poem titled The Wish of A Star, which she wrote in her diary and now sung by two new artistes, as well as new music arrangement for her popular classics.  

The musical production will experiment with several novel ideas.  

“The show will start with aerial ballet; dancers will be floating in the air and I think this is the first aerial ballet of this scale in the country,” he said.  

Then, musicians will not be static in the orchestra pit.  

They will have to memorise the tunes, dress up and move around as the show goes on.  

“I met Teng personally when I was 15, she left such a deep impression on me. We want to recreate an experience of Teresa Teng all over again, even the dresses worn are replicated from Teng’s original wardrobe,” said Kok.  

Shows are at 8pm from Oct 21 to 23 (matinee show is at 3pm on Oct 23). It is said to be the first musical production held at Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.  

Tickets are priced from RM58 to RM238, For booking, call hotline [phone].  

For details, log on to www.heritagemusic.com.my, www.unforgettableteresateng.com