By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
May 24, 1995
If you like actors mingling in the audience and cajoling you to dance with them, then “Song of Singapore” is just the play for you. But if you prefer that actors remain on stage and don’t touch the ticket holders, you’ll want to skip the latest interactive play to hit Chicago.
“Song of Singapore” – which opened Monday night at the Pipers Alley Entertainment Complex – isn’t nearly as obnoxious as the preternaturally successful “Tony ‘n’ Tina’s Wedding,” which still is running at Pipers Alley in a theater next door. Set a few days before the Japanese invasion of Singapore in December, 1941, this “musical comedy” actually works better as a musical than a comedy. The songs are fun and memorable. The punch lines, on the contrary, are predictable and weak.
As for the plot, suffice to say that it involves Inspector Kurland (Paul Slade Smith), members of the Malayan Melody Makers and a mysterious Chinese woman named Chah Li (Sonya Seng) who fight each other for ownership of priceless stolen jewels.
There are two stand-out performers in the cast. As Chah Li, the petite Seng gets to showcase her beautiful voice when she solos on “Foolish Geese.” A haunting song that marries Western pop lyrics with traditional Asian melodies and vocal inflections, the delightful tune shows off her formidable range. Alloted more time in the spotlight is spunky Lisa Albright, who portrays a ditzy chanteuse named Rose. Rose suffers from amnesia but ironically remembers the words to every song imaginable (“If one guy’s rich and the other’s cute/Keep the dreamboat and the loot”). A duet by the two would have been a treat.
During intermission, patrons are invited to dance to the big band music. On opening night, the audience seemed shy. But when the play’s hostess Chuti Tiu – the reigning Miss Illinois – and her partner headed for the tiny dance floor, other couples quickly followed.
As for the space, the brand new 320-seat performance hall is beautiful. Decorated in rich reds and vibrant blues, the venue is filled with gently swaying Chinese lanterns. Its walls are covered with bamboo and paintings of fiery, majestic dragons.
Given the hefty ticket price for this dinner show and the elegant environment, the food was especially disappointing. The beef, chicken and vegetarian entrees tasted more like frozen dinners than authentic Chinese cuisine.
