Production information

This is the third production of one of The Theatre Practice’s most acclaimed works. After two previous sell-out versions, this acclaimed third is mounted with increased production values and assured performances, mostly with the original cast. If There're Seasons is an unique and original musical, entirely in Mandarin and follows the successes of Liao Zhai Rocks! and Lao Jiu, the Musical; building for The Theatre Practice a strong foundation in the production of local musicals.
The third season of this popular work proves its significance; and, by box office returns alone, arguable puts it at the top of the list of Singapore musicals, ahead of the famed Beauty Queen and Chang and Eng, both in English. The success of If There're Seasons lies in it being a dramatic interpretation of the best songs of renowned Singapore songwriter, Liang Wern Fook, who almost single-handedly started the xinyao* movement in the ‘80s. However, it is not a ‘juke-box’ musical, because Liang Wern Fook wrote a number of new songs especially to create this work with famed Hong Kong script writer, Raymond To.
This large-scale work is lavishly mounted under the direction of The Theatre Practice’s Artistic Director, Kuo Jian Hong, with new musical arrangements by Bang Wenfu, choreography by Okorn-Kuo Jing-Hong, sets designed by Wang Chee Wai - all under the musical direction of Julian Wong. Full of characters, melody and story-lines, the work is both nostalgic and contemporary in its warm-hearted embrace of Singapore concepts and lifestyles.
The Theatre Practice was established in I965, slightly older than Singapore by more than a month: it has built a niche on bi-lingualism and a dedication to the local repertoire and its international importance. Introducing classics as well as original creations, the company strives to inject local flavor, while remaining open to possibilities in the global arena. The Theatre Practice has also been a pioneer in Arts Education, bringing countless workshops and performances into schools, and nurturing several generations of Singaporeans.

*Xinyao is a Chinese noun of two words meaning Xin (short for Singapore) and yao for ‘song’. It is a distinct genre of ‘Singaporean music’ characterized by simple melodies and poetic lyrics about homeland and the lives of Singaporeans.

(Synopsis and Themes)
After the demise of his girlfriend Jing, A-Le packs up to pursue his musical ambitions in New York. There he meets the easy-going A-Qiang, a fellow dream hunter from Singapore, who gets him a job at a restaurant. On a particular takeout delivery, an aspiring actress named Rose enters A-Le's life. Soon a bittersweet friendship of battered dreams and bruised hearts is born amongst them. But with each passing day, Rose begins to feel a little more for A-Le. Unknown to them however, the future is about to change their lives and their friendship forever.
"There are no seasons here, but there is always love......"
The story revolves around Ah Le, Ah Qiang and Rose, who meet up in New York, all searching for their dreams and nursing a wound from their previous lost love. This group of young friends share their love for music, and battle with reclaiming their old loves.
Uniquely portraying the nation’s dreams through Singaporeans living far from home, the need to love and to be loved is a constant theme, as the past and its memories have to be appeased before people can move on with their new lives. Old ties of the heart are not just to people but also to place; this work is not only about meaningful relationships but also reflects Singapore today and the ways it is loved, both locally and internationally.

CAST
A-Le . . . . . . . . . George Chan
Rose . . . . . . . . . Joanna Dong
A-Qiang . . . . . . . . . Ric Liu
Xiao Jing . . . . . . . . . Celine Rosa Tan
Jun Qiang . . . . . . . . . Oliver Pang
Uncle Cheng. . . . . . . . . Lim Kay Siu
Xiao Song . . . . . . . . Erwin Shah Ismail
Xiao Jiang . . . . . . . . . Marc Valentine Chia
Kitchen Uncle . . . . . . . . Gan Yeok Thiam
Dishwashing Auntie . . . . . Goh Guat Kia
Ensemble . . . . . . . . . Jodi Chan, Edward Choy,Deng Chen Chao,
Hung Chit Wah Felix, Hang Qian Chou,
Zachary Ho, Lee Qian Yu, Candice de
Rozario, Jo Tan, Tay Wei Liang, Ethel Yap
Robert . . . . . . . . Chad O’Brien
Hip Hop Girl . . . . . . . . . Gabrielle Evelena Ferdinands, Tiffany
Tallon
Break Dancer . . . . . . . . Yumida Sumitra (Boy)
Children . . . . . . . . . Deng Chen Chao, Lee Qian Yu, Ethel Yap
(Cast A)
Marcel Sebastian Bek Gotsmy,
Nadine Bastienne bek Gotsmy
Vicotria Sung Yushin, Lauren Yeo.
(Cast B)
Olivia Yi-Le Hatton, Tan Kai Rui, Toh Yun
Woon, Toh Keow Woon.

Musicians (The Band)
Conductor . . . . . . . . . Julian Wong
Keyboardist . . . . . . . . Tan Kian Wee
Accoustic & Electric Guitarist . . . . . . . . . Feri Susanto
Bassis . . . . . . . . . Colin Yong
Bassist (Rehearsal . . . . . . . . . Din Safari
Percussionist . . . . . . . . . Patrick Ang
Violinist . . . . . . . . Lim Hui

PRODUCTION
Composer/ Lyricist . . . . . . . . Liang Wern Fook
Playwright . . . . . . . . . Raymond To
Director/ Co-Lighting Designer. . . . . . . . . Kuo Jian Hong
Music Arranger . . . . . . . . . Bang Wenfu
Choreographer . . . . . . . . . Okorn-Kuo Jing Hong
Music Director/ Additional Arranger . . . . . . . . . Julian Wong
Set Designer . . . . . . . . . Wong Chee Wai
Co-Lighting Designer . . . . . . . . . Genevieve Peck
Sound Designer . . . . . . . . . Shah Tahir
Hair Designer . . . . . . . . . Ashley Lim
M.A.C Creative Artis . . . . . . . . . Beno Lim
Production Manager/ Props Master . . . . . . . . . Chan Lee Lee
Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . Keira Lee
Assistant Stage Managers . . . . . . . . . Gong Zekun, Vivianne Koh
Lighting Programmer . . . . . . . . . Ismahadi Putra
Followspot Operators. . . . . . . . . Chia Run Jin (RJ), Chua Chin Soon
Aldon, Jasmine Wang

Sound Engineer . . . . . . . . Sandra Tay
Radio Mic Operators . . . . . . . . . Ang Aik Siang, Ng Xin Yuan
Melissa, Jonathan Yeo Yong En
Surtitles . . . . . . . . . Dong Xin
Surtitles Operator. . . . . . . . . Goh Si Ting Denise
Video Editor . . . . . . . . . Sam Nai
Music Assistants . . . . . . . . . Lauren Koh, Joel Sim
Wardrobe Coordinator. . . . . . . . . Éclair Lim
Assistant Wardrobe Mistress. . . . . . . . . Karen May
Wardrobe Assistants. . . . . . . . . Aainaa, Valeree Ray Lee
Stage Assistants . . . . . . . . . Samantha Chia, Justina Hussain,
Joceline Loo Si Ying, Seah Wei Yang
Graphic Designer . . . . . . . . . Hui Shi Li
Programme Editor . . . . . . . . . Huang Suhuai
Programme Translator . . . . . . . . . Dong Xin