SINGAPORE, July 17 — It has been a whole decade since homegrown music theatre star Sebastian Tan’s original Broadway Beng first broke into our consciousness onto the stage and, charming hearts and minds with his flamboyance, catchy show tunes and risque Hokkien jokes.
It seems a lot has changed since then, said Tan, who turns 43 tomorrow. For one, he is noticeably “meatier”, he admitted wryly. “I think I’ve grown, both literally and figuratively, as a person. Not sure if you can tell, but my suit’s a little tighter round the middle than it was 10 years ago,” he joked. “On a more serious note, I’m a lot less self-conscious now. I’ve also learned to laugh at myself and not take life too seriously.”
Tan also pointed out that he is now way savvier on social media than he used to be. “Three years ago, I never would have thought to use Facebook or Instagram to reach out to my fans. These days I find myself Instagramming everything — Where I go, the food I eat, the handphone covers I use etc. It’s a strange world we live in,” he mused.
The show’s “Chio Buus” (pretty girls) have also been switched up — they are now played by actresses Chriz Tong and Frances Lee and Youtube personality Munah Bagharib.
For Tong, this would be her first time doing English theatre, and she is naturally feeling nervous about it. “I’m so stressed! It’s my first time doing so much vocal harmony and dance choreography. On top of that we have to act ‘hiao hiao’ (vain in hokkien) throughout the entire performance. I really have a profound respect for our predecessors.”
Munah said she has been practising her moves “like crazy”. This being her first musical experience, she said the great energies around her during rehearsals has helped get her pumped up for the show.
Added Lee: “All the Chio Buus before us are all huge names (suchas DJ Denise Tan and actress Siti Khalijah and talents in the theatre scene. The shoes (we have to fit) are both flattering and intimidating.”
One thing’s for sure, Broadway Beng — which is directed by Selena Tan and was largely inspired by Tan’s personal experiences at the time — is still very much along the same vein. “I always say that Broadway Beng is 70 per cent Sebastian Tan and 30 per cent fabulous! If it makes everyone laugh, why not? A little laughter will keep you from going insane in this mad world,” he said.
Asked what the current Beng would say to the Beng of 10 years ago if he could turn back time, Tan quipped: “Drink less and do more sit-ups.”
Q: Would you say Broadway Beng was your big break?
Tan: Yes and no. While I’m most well-known as Broadway Beng, perhaps my big break was when I toured the United Kingdom (UK) with Miss Saigon. It opened my world to many fantastic new experiences. That said, the idea of Broadway Beng was actually brewing before I went on my big adventure in the UK. I guess it was constantly haunting me at the back of my head the entire time.
Q: Tell us more about the Broadway Beng movie in the works. How different or similar will it be to the musical?
Tan: It’s currently in writing (although I said this over two years ago), but I believe now we have something concrete to work with. No spoilers though!
Q: Why do you think people still enjoy Broadway Beng after 10 years?
Tan: Because I’m in it! I’ve become a little more ‘ba’ (meaty in hokkien), but I’m still the same ‘hamsum’ Ah Beng everyone knows and loves. Essentially it is a concert, so the audience can expect to hear more of my amazing voice. We’ll be bringing back old favourites (such as Bring Him Home) and a couple of new ones. There will also be, for the first time in 10 years, an original song called Gum Xia Li Eh Ai.
Q: Do you think you are now synonymous with Broadway Beng? Would you want to explore doing other things?
Tan: I’ve always wanted to be a singer, so I won’t say no to cutting an album! But I’ll never tire of this because it has become such a big part of my life. Who knows, I might even have a 50th Anniversary Concert! — TODAY
*Broadway Beng: 10th Anniversary Concert is playing until July 31 at Capitol Theatre. Tickets from Sistic.
