“I sing in the car, in the shower, hum in the office, sneak a short practice while filling up my bottle at the water dispenser. Even during toilet breaks at work I visualise and rehearse my movements and expressions in my head,” said Hui Lee.
No stranger to singing on stage, Wong Hui Lee is excited about her first theatrical experience
Hui Lee’s enthusiasm is reasonable and admirable. After all, she is performing in her first musical, titled Broadway Bites starting tomorrow March 14 to Sunday March 18 at Auditorium DBKL.
Sharing the stage with more experienced performers including Aaron Khaled, Nicole Thomas and Nadia Aqilah, Hui Lee is thrilled to be working with them.
“They’re really professional and super supportive and helpful. I’m completely new at this and I ask a lot of questions. They’ve guided me with so much patience. Watching how they work amazes me,” added Hui Lee, 29, a multimedia designer by day.
The musical is produced and choreographed by Farah Sulaiman, directed by Sabrina Hassan with musical direction by Nish Tham and vocal direction by Peter Ong. Featuring 18 songs from 18 different musicals all wrapped up in an exciting story about four teenagers, two rockin’ ghosts and one bully.
“It’s a simply story about bullies, friendship, singing, dancing and confidence in doing what you’re passionate about,” added Hui Lee, whose favourite musical is ‘Wicked’.
In the musical, Theo invites his friends, Kate, Nick and Lulu over to practice for tomorrow’s glee club finals. Suddenly Theo’s brother, Max, enters and starts making fun of him; calling him a sissy, embarrassing him in front of his friends and causing him to storm off. Whilst Kate, Nick and Lulu rush to console Theo, Max is visited by two ghosts who try convincing him to stop bullying. Will the ghosts succeed? Will Theo achieve his dream of being on stage? Will this be another happy ending? Essentially, that’s what Broadway Bites is about.
Singing three songs, One Short Day from Wicked with Nadia Aquilah; People Will Say We’re In Love from Oklahoma and The Song That Goes Like This from Spamalot with Tim Howe, Hui Lee has been busy rehearsing with the others every day after work and weekends to make sure Broadway Bites shines on stage.
A member of the The Choir of the Philharmonic Society of Selangor, Hui Lee is stepping out of her singing comfort zone this time around. Her soloist role in the musical not only requires her to sing but to act as well.
“I am not very good at acting. I’ve only taken fundamental of acting as elective subject when I was in college.I think I’ve improved a lot since rehearsals started and believe I can do much more by the time show starts. I can’t dance to save my life but I intend to take up dance lessons after Broadway Bites,” said Hui Lee.
Much like the musical, Hui Lee’s personal story is about finding that confidence to do what she is passionate about.
“I always liked to perform but I was scared of failure. I didn’t think I was good enough until I gathered enough courage and when I went for the audition. I hope this will be a baby step for my venturing into the performing arts scene,” added Hui Lee.
Catch Hui Lee in her first musical while helping raise funds for education in hospitals (Projeck Hati Nurani-Sekolah Dalam Hospital). Tickets available at Ticker2U are priced at RM53 (matinee), RM63, RM83 & RM103 (night shows). The Gala Night is on March 16.
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