The full cast reunites for Gou Li Hao Xi 2.0, a powerful restaging that continues the conversation on emotional and mental well-being.
KUALA LUMPUR: In an era defined by speed, pressure and emotional fatigue, how much power can a musical production truly hold when it reaches beyond the stage and into the inner world of its audience?
Directed by acclaimed theatre-maker Ryon Lee, who returns to the musical director’s chair after a 15-year hiatus, Gou Li Hao Xi 2.0 builds upon the emotional foundation of the original Mandarin musical Gou Li Hao Xi, which debuted in September 2025.
The original production resonated strongly with audiences through its dynamic song-and-dance sequences and finely observed emotional storytelling.
Following overwhelming audience response, strong word-of-mouth across social platforms and sustained demand for a return, the production team has officially announced the April 2026 staging of Gou Li Hao Xi 2.0. This revival is not merely a reprise, but a deeper engagement with contemporary emotional realities and mental well-being.
According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 (NHMS 2023), the number of Malaysians experiencing depression has doubled over the past five years, with young adults aged 16 to 29 being the most affected group. Within Asian societies where emotional struggles are often internalised or left unspoken, mental health has become a pressing public concern that calls for greater awareness and collective empathy.
Gou Li Hao Xi 2.0 responds to this social context by positioning musical theatre as a shared emotional space. Ryon Lee views the art form as a heightened emotional language capable of reaching where words often fall short. By bringing audiences together in a collective setting and reflecting shared vulnerabilities on stage, the production creates moments of recognition that gently dissolve isolation.
Producer Crystal Yeo Zhijun adds that Gou Li Hao Xi 2.0 is shaped not as a conventional stage return, but as an emotional touchpoint designed to reconnect audiences with themselves and with one another through shared stories, music and presence.
The 2026 revival of Gou Li Hao Xi 2.0 features a strong returning cast, including: Cheryl Lee, Orange Tan, Rickman Chia, Richard Tan, Loo Aye Keng, Remon Lim, Wayne Cai, Kopi Lim, Reno Lee, Olio Tan, Andrew Lim, JY Lim, Olivia and Eugene Ng.
Joining them are four special guest performers from diverse fields, bringing fresh dimensions and perspectives to the production:
> Tan Chia Yong, veteran news anchor, lending a composed and intellectual presence;
> Chiong Pei Pei, seasoned host and presenter with deep emotional range;
> Ah Lee, known for sharp social observation and emotional insight;
> Miss Durian, whose warmth and humour add lightness to heavier themes.
The script has been carefully reworked to suit the strengths of the expanded cast, allowing new dynamics to emerge within a familiar theatrical framework.
Gou Li Hao Xi 2.0 will be staged at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre on April 3 at 8pm; April 4 at 3pm and 8pm as well as on April 5 at 3pm.
Ticket prices are RM228, RM198, RM168, RM108 and RM88, with tickets available at onetix.com.my or via enquiries at 03-7732 4988.
Whether you are a seasoned theatre-goer or stepping into the theatre for the first time, the production offers a deeply resonant exploration of emotional value in modern life.
