Broadway’s footprint in Malaysia may still be niche, but its appeal is undeniable among urban and arts-driven audiences, especially in cultural hubs like Kuala Lumpur. As an ode to this surging appreciation, HSBC held a memorable Symphonic Broadway spectacle with Sean Ghazi & Friends and the National Symphony Orchestra of Malaysia (NSO) at Zepp Kuala Lumpur that was brimming with soul-stirring tales, timeless anthems, and theatrical wonders. “As a destination for high-calibre touring productions, Kuala Lumpur often loses out to Singapore,” Ghazi (pictured below) said. “So, an evening like Symphonic Broadway—curated as a ‘top of the pops’ of Broadway hits—resonates well with our audiences, allowing them to experience a taste of many different musicals in one show.”
An award-winning artist, Ghazi has had an illustrious career. From his successful stint in the London West End to his international tour with the American band Pink Martini, Ghazi has carved out a remarkable foothold within the wealth of performing arts. His most significant contribution to the arts is Bobo KL, a performance space he has led since 2015. Having spent nearly a decade performing on the Bobo KL stage, Ghazi noted the familiarity with connecting to smaller, close-knit crowds. However, performing at a larger venue like Zepp Kuala Lumpur brought a different dynamic. “At Bobo KL, the close proximity between artists and the audiences creates an abundance of magic. In a venue like Zepp, we have the added advantage of state-of-the-art features, including lighting effects and a top-notch sound system operated by the wonderful team from Istana Budaya,” said Ghazi, highlighting the contrast between two distinct venues.
The one-night-only private showcase was a grand celebration of symphonic artistry. “Having the opportunity to showcase Malaysian singers alongside international professionals gives me a kick, as it demonstrates the quality of our homegrown talent,” Ghazi emphasised. Together with nearly 70 NSO musicians under the baton of Nasran Nawi, the evening lit up with Ghazi as the headliner, supported by a diverse and stellar line-up, including Filipino soprano Lara Maigue, smooth baritone Christopher Morandi, jazz vocalist Ida Mariana, and tenor Izen Kong. “I know all the singers well, and together we designed a show that would spotlight the unique voicings each of us brought to the table. They’re all my friends and I’m familiar with their strengths. I get a real thrill from showing them off and allowing their talents to soar,” Ghazi said, offering a glimpse into their friendship.
“The show benefitted from an outing at Bobo KL, presented as ‘Bobo On Broadway’,” Ghazi added. “Our musical director, Nish Tham, led a small trio of musicians, with arrangements he crafted specifically for this intimate configuration.” Split into two acts, the NSO set the tone with a musical prelude to the evening’s programme. While Act One struck a deeper, stirring tone with pieces such as My Fair Lady and Love Never Dies, Act Two enlivened the stage with a collection of medleys from The King and I, Miss Saigon, and Les Misérables. “My involvement with The King and I and Miss Saigon on the West End stage will always hold a special place in my heart. However, their inclusion in the repertoire is not solely due to my personal connection, but also because I know the music from both shows is universally beloved,” Ghazi said. “From a technical perspective, the songs are also selected with consideration for the voices we have on stage.”
As expected, the show closed with not one but two incredible encores—Andrew Lloyd Webber’s symbolic The Phantom Of The Opera and the much-loved Memory from Cats. “The polished bed of music provided by our NSO, most of whom are young Malaysian musicians, makes an evening like this extra special,” Ghazi said. “I’m happy that, together with HSBC, we have created a successful template for evenings of this nature and there is definitely so much more we can explore.”
