The first festival dedicated to Indonesian musicals aims to grow the country’s local musical industry scene. 

Theater enthusiasts in the country would normally mention London’s West End or New York City’s Broadway in the United States as the main venues for world-class musicals. Few of them realize that Indonesia also has its fine share of modern and traditional plays that combine acting, singing and dancing. They are no less – both in quantity and quality – than those in the West. 

“Musicals are not only those from abroad,” Ahmad Mahendra, director of the music, film and media division of the Education, Culture, Research and Technology Ministry, said during an online press conference on June 7. 

“In Indonesia, we also have great plays that combine acting, singing and dancing, such as Lenong Betawi, Ludruk and Opera Batak.” 

To invigorate the country’s musical industry, the ministry, in collaboration with Dewan Kesenian Jakarta (Jakarta Arts Council) and EKI Dance Company, will present Festival Musikal Indonesia (Indonesian Musical Festival, FMI) at Teater Jakarta in Taman Ismail Marzuki, Central Jakarta, on Aug. 20 to 21. 

The two-day event will present musicals by some of the best theater troupes in the country, as well as a seminar, exhibition and Indonesian culinary bazaar. 

Growing the industry

The idea for the festival initially came from Rusdy Rukmarata, cofounder and choreographer of EKI Dance Company. 

“I was attending the awarding night of Festival Film Indonesia [Indonesian Film Festival] when it dawned on me that [Indonesia] has awards for films, music and ads,” Rusdy said during a telephone interview on July 12. “But so far, there aren't any for musicals.” 

According to Rusdy, the situation is due to the fact that the industry is not well-developed in the country. 

“So, I was thinking, ‘Why don’t we make a musical festival to grow the industry?’” he said. 

The choreographer then talked to Ahmad Mahendra of the culture ministry, who immediately approved of his vision. 

“The festival would become a great platform for Indonesian musical artists to express their creativity, as well as for musical fans to enjoy some of the best performances in the country,” Ahmad said. 

The ministry also plans to hold the festival annually, with appointed as the director of FMI 2022. 

“We won’t be aiming for Broadway,” Rusdy said. “Quite the contrary, we’re establishing Broadway in Indonesia.” 

A gala of musicals

For the event, seven of the best theater troupes in Indonesia have been invited to create a play based on Indonesian history. 

“We’ve chosen [theater groups] that regularly perform,” Reda Gaudiamo, coproducer of the festival, said. 

Each group will have a maximum of 30 minutes to present its play. There will be three to four groups performing in the festival each day. 

Artswara Production has prepared a musical, titled Dhien, for the event. 

“It tells the story of [Acehnese] heroine Cut Nyak Dhien after she was banished by the Dutch colonial government to Sumedang [West Java],” Petty, a representative of Artswara, said. 

Cokelat’s vocalist Kikan Namara and vocal tutor Gabriel Harvianto will be playing in the group’s musical. 

“Our musical will also be embellished with an acapella,” Petty added. 

EKI Dance Company also takes inspiration for their musical from a notable female figure in Indonesian history. Titled Ken Dedes, the musical will feature the story of Tunggul Ametung’s wife as she enticed her husband’s bodyguard to kill him and marry her. 

“In the play, we’ll see how Ken Umang, Ken Arok’s wife, stood against their wicked ambition,” Ara Ajisiwi, dancer of EKI Dance Company, said. 

Aidil Usman, representative of Flodanzsoka, was excited that the theater troupe has been invited to participate in the festival. 

“The festival will definitely become a platform for Indonesian theater groups to gain more recognition,” he said. 

For the event, Flodanzsoka will present a play titled Teka Iku Boa Ga’i, inspired by two Indonesian heroes that defended Sikka in East Nusa Tenggara, during the Dutch colonial era. Both men were later captured and exiled to Sawahlunto, West Sumatera. 

“The actors and dancers in this musical will perform Flores’ traditional songs that the heroes often sang during their exile,” Aidil said. 

Yet Barly Armandita of the theater group Jakarta Movin was initially perplexed when having to create a play based on Indonesian history. 

“There are so many parts of Indonesian history,” he said. “We’re initially confused about which we should feature.” 

After discussing it with members of the group, Jakarta Movin decided to feature the story of nine women from Kendeng, Central Java, who opposed the establishment of a cement factory in their village. In a demonstration, these women cemented their own feet in order to show their stance. 

“These women have bravely defended their land from exploitation,” Barly said. “Their story needs to be heard.” 

Swargaloka will present a Wayang Orang-style play, titled Tahta Mas Rangsang (Throne of Mas Rangsang), in the festival. The play will feature the little-known story of Sultan Agung of Mataram when he was young and studying in Padepokan Jejeran in Yogyakarta. 

“At a very young age, [Mas Rangsang] received a huge responsibility when his father died and he had to become a king,” Bathara Dewandoro, director and choreographer of the play, said. 

“I think it’s relevant with many young people these days, in which they have to shoulder a lot of responsibilities as a sandwich generation.” 

Another theater group, Teman Production, will present a play, titled Bersatu atau Mati (Be United or Die), in the upcoming festival. 

“It’s inspired by the Indonesian national motto ‘Bhinneka Tunggal Ika’,” Chriskevin Adefrid, producer of the play, said. 

“I think Indonesians should really be proud of the fact that the country, which consists of thousands of islands and mother tongues, can stay strong and united until now.” 

Kampung Betawi, a theater group founded by Betawi artist Atin Kisam, will present a lenong-style (traditional Betawi theater) play, titled Blood Brothers. The story will feature two brothers with martial art prowess fighting for the love of a young woman. 

“The play will showcase Betawi’s traditional songs and dances mixed with ballet,” Rusdy Rukmarata said. 

Besides these seven main performing groups, FMI 2022 will also feature five art collectives and communities from Jakarta, which are Askara, Gigi Art of Dance, Jacsikal, Jakarta Performing Arts Community (JPAC) and Prima Unggul Foundation. 

“They will present ten-minute showcases, which consist of acting, singing and comedy, during the festival,” Rusdy said. 

Becoming a center of musicals

The festival promises to be a great experience for both the audience and the artists. 

“There is currently a group of people that love modern musicals and those that adore traditional ones,” Rusdy said. 

“During the festival, these two different groups can mingle and watch both kinds of performances.” 

Musical artists can also watch and learn from one another’s performances during the festival, as well as expand their network. 

“It will definitely grow the unique ecosystem of Indonesian musicals,” Rusdy added. 

It is expected that 1,500 people will come to the festival each day. Entrance is free-of-charge, but visitors will have to register at a link, which will be open soon, on loket.com 

“[Visitors] will have to be fully vaccinated and check in on Peduli Lindungi,” Rusdy said. “And they have to wear a mask at all times.” 

During the festival, visitors can also see an exhibition on the history of Indonesian musicals at the lobby of Teater Jakarta. The exhibition, curated by administrator of the Arts Council’s archives and collection commission Esha Tegar Putra, will feature props, costumes and photos of legendary Indonesian musicals from the 1980s. 

There will also be a two-day seminar by the council’s dance committee on Indonesian musicals’ past and future during the festival. 

“I’m pretty sure that at least five years from now, people from all over the world will come to Indonesia to watch our musicals,” Rusdy Rukmarata concluded. 

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