雪狼湖 - 不老的传说
Snow Wolf Lake, the musical, was totally ultra-fantastic. I was there last night and I never regretted paying so much for it. To be exact, I think it’s a pity that I didn’t get front row seats, because only by sitting there then would I be able to fully capture all the expressions on the stars face, as well as appreciate the musical to its fullest.
Ok, actually I think everyone knows the entire plot. In essence it is a tragic love story, and Jacky himself said he wanted it to be a love story simply because of the fact that he wants to showcase to the world about love (well, as this is thus far, the only Chinese musical, the best theme is of course love right?).
But the truth is, the show was marvelous. Even though I heard the soundtrack a zillion times before watching the musical, but still, the actual live performance was just that amazing – it totally touched my heart and I felt myself totally immersed into the world of Jacky. Yes, when the curtains first lifted up, I was totally impressed with Jacky’s voice. His rich baritone rendition of 不老的传说 (indeed, aptly titled, the legend starting a legendary show) was indeed a curtain lifter that got the crowd into the musical. His rich voice totally shocked me I must say, caused it literally powered the whole audience into an entirely different world.
Yes, throughout the entire show, Jacky showed why he was aptly titled the God of Songs. His never-ending, powerful voice was literally the engine that brought the show alive, and it was the force that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Indeed, you sorely missed his voice especially when the supporting characters start singing, but I must say he totally outperformed all my expectations of him because his acting was brilliant. Ok, I couldn’t exactly see his face and expressions from my view, but the papers reported that he really cried and teared in some scenes, and I admit that just by hearing him you can truly tell that he was has indeed cried. But even though he cried, it never affected his singing and performance, in fact it added in the much needed X factor that tells you that your money is well spent. I was also duly impressed with his dancing – I never expect Jacky to dance with the energy of a twenty year old! All these from a father of forty! Boy, he is indeed a legendary performer that will be tough to emulate.
Evonne and Nnadia were both excellent too. Even though I had some trouble attempting to differentiate between the two of them (since I sat so far from the stage), but Evonne did an excellent portrayal of Snow. In fact, she brought out an excellent feeling of the little innocent girl who is so madly in love. Her singing was excellent too, really clear and powerful at the right times and her duets with Jacky were just nice, although at times I thought it sounded more like background vocals due to Jacky’s overpowering voice. But still, it was a good blend. Her dancing was also wonderful, and it has that real nice rhythm and flow that makes you feel that you are inside the show too. Nnadia was equally good. Even though starting I found her falsetto a bit too uncomfortable to listen to, but after the interlude she showed her power and the reason why she was the lead the previous time. Indeed, she displayed the feelings of Phoenix real well, but I think Singaporeans would have preferred Kit, but still, Nnadia was good too.
The other performers were good too. The mother and the bad guy both displayed that they could act, sing as well as bring out their characters really well.
In addition to the performers, the props and the backdrop were brilliant. Seriously speaking, within minutes they were able to change from one scene to another and it was just beautiful. I must say that I had never expected such a seamless change from one scene to another. Indeed, it was just perfect.
The music, composed mainly by Dick Lee was excellent and wonderful. I think the few songs that deserved to be really singled out are 不老的传说, 爱钱万岁. 爱是永恒, 抱雪 and 雪爱狼. I was particularly mesmerized by the Jacky’s and Evonne’s rendition of爱是永恒. You can truly feel that love is in the air.
Of course, critics will argue that some of the dialogue at times was just plain corny and cheesy, typical of those Chinese pop dramas. But we all know that this is due to the fact that this musical is for a mainstream audience, and to make it more receptive to all, the dialogue could not be over artistic or else the younger people will not take to it. So yes, this musical does have commercial interests in mind.
Well, but after calculating, Jacky still makes a loss by bringing this musical to Singapore. I mean it is commercially not viable, so I am inclined to truly think that Jacky brought it over to Singapore because it is a dream of his to let Chinese audiences around the world to have a chance to catch such a mega production, as well as perhaps the only Chinese musical thus far. Indeed, his dream is so big and so great, that you must admit that there is nothing that we can add to his current accolades.
At the end of the show, I was just disappointed that it had to end, and that this could possibly be my first and only chance to experience it. I doubt that he will do it ever again, considering his age as well as the high production costs. And I must admit, Snow Wolf Lake without Jacky will feel totally different. He is after all, the one and only God of Songs, somebody who does command respect from all Chinese far and near. But if there ever will be another chance for me to catch it, I will most certainly do. Indeed, Snow Wolf Lake is a magical music journey.
Ok, actually I think everyone knows the entire plot. In essence it is a tragic love story, and Jacky himself said he wanted it to be a love story simply because of the fact that he wants to showcase to the world about love (well, as this is thus far, the only Chinese musical, the best theme is of course love right?).
But the truth is, the show was marvelous. Even though I heard the soundtrack a zillion times before watching the musical, but still, the actual live performance was just that amazing – it totally touched my heart and I felt myself totally immersed into the world of Jacky. Yes, when the curtains first lifted up, I was totally impressed with Jacky’s voice. His rich baritone rendition of 不老的传说 (indeed, aptly titled, the legend starting a legendary show) was indeed a curtain lifter that got the crowd into the musical. His rich voice totally shocked me I must say, caused it literally powered the whole audience into an entirely different world.
Yes, throughout the entire show, Jacky showed why he was aptly titled the God of Songs. His never-ending, powerful voice was literally the engine that brought the show alive, and it was the force that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Indeed, you sorely missed his voice especially when the supporting characters start singing, but I must say he totally outperformed all my expectations of him because his acting was brilliant. Ok, I couldn’t exactly see his face and expressions from my view, but the papers reported that he really cried and teared in some scenes, and I admit that just by hearing him you can truly tell that he was has indeed cried. But even though he cried, it never affected his singing and performance, in fact it added in the much needed X factor that tells you that your money is well spent. I was also duly impressed with his dancing – I never expect Jacky to dance with the energy of a twenty year old! All these from a father of forty! Boy, he is indeed a legendary performer that will be tough to emulate.
Evonne and Nnadia were both excellent too. Even though I had some trouble attempting to differentiate between the two of them (since I sat so far from the stage), but Evonne did an excellent portrayal of Snow. In fact, she brought out an excellent feeling of the little innocent girl who is so madly in love. Her singing was excellent too, really clear and powerful at the right times and her duets with Jacky were just nice, although at times I thought it sounded more like background vocals due to Jacky’s overpowering voice. But still, it was a good blend. Her dancing was also wonderful, and it has that real nice rhythm and flow that makes you feel that you are inside the show too. Nnadia was equally good. Even though starting I found her falsetto a bit too uncomfortable to listen to, but after the interlude she showed her power and the reason why she was the lead the previous time. Indeed, she displayed the feelings of Phoenix real well, but I think Singaporeans would have preferred Kit, but still, Nnadia was good too.
The other performers were good too. The mother and the bad guy both displayed that they could act, sing as well as bring out their characters really well.
In addition to the performers, the props and the backdrop were brilliant. Seriously speaking, within minutes they were able to change from one scene to another and it was just beautiful. I must say that I had never expected such a seamless change from one scene to another. Indeed, it was just perfect.
The music, composed mainly by Dick Lee was excellent and wonderful. I think the few songs that deserved to be really singled out are 不老的传说, 爱钱万岁. 爱是永恒, 抱雪 and 雪爱狼. I was particularly mesmerized by the Jacky’s and Evonne’s rendition of爱是永恒. You can truly feel that love is in the air.
Of course, critics will argue that some of the dialogue at times was just plain corny and cheesy, typical of those Chinese pop dramas. But we all know that this is due to the fact that this musical is for a mainstream audience, and to make it more receptive to all, the dialogue could not be over artistic or else the younger people will not take to it. So yes, this musical does have commercial interests in mind.
Well, but after calculating, Jacky still makes a loss by bringing this musical to Singapore. I mean it is commercially not viable, so I am inclined to truly think that Jacky brought it over to Singapore because it is a dream of his to let Chinese audiences around the world to have a chance to catch such a mega production, as well as perhaps the only Chinese musical thus far. Indeed, his dream is so big and so great, that you must admit that there is nothing that we can add to his current accolades.
At the end of the show, I was just disappointed that it had to end, and that this could possibly be my first and only chance to experience it. I doubt that he will do it ever again, considering his age as well as the high production costs. And I must admit, Snow Wolf Lake without Jacky will feel totally different. He is after all, the one and only God of Songs, somebody who does command respect from all Chinese far and near. But if there ever will be another chance for me to catch it, I will most certainly do. Indeed, Snow Wolf Lake is a magical music journey.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home