More curtains up: dance and musical theatre highlights in May

May 01, 2026

They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky! Don’t miss Cempaka Performing Arts Company’s vibrantly freaky musical ‘The Addams Family’. (CPAC pic)

PETALING JAYA

In case your appetite isn’t satiated by the vast number of theatre shows

DANCE

1. ‘Setampuk Pinang: Narthana’

Join emerging Penang-based artists as they present works-in-progress and research-driven ideas shaped by heritage and ritual. Witness how traditions are remembered, reimagined, and carried forward in contemporary practice.

Presented as part of the Penang Heritage Arts Festival.

2. ‘Islands’

Taiwan’s Wang Yeu-kwn and Indonesia’s Danang Pamungkas explore the weight of bodies anchored to land and air, resulting in a dance performance that captures the tenderness of the earth and our bond with it.

This production marks the fourth consecutive collaboration between the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Malaysia and klpac

‘Islands’ makes its Southeast Asian premiere following acclaimed stagings in Taiwan and London. (klpac pic)

3. ‘XZB!T 1.0’

Performed by some 105(!) dancers, this action-packed annual showcase by Flow Academy

4. ‘Jom Tari 2026: Traversing Space’

The Dance Programme

Both site-specific and mainstage works will be performed by lecturers, students, and alumni alongside special invited guests.

5. Malaya Dance Festival 2026

The Niruthia Nithyalaya Institute of Fine Arts, in collaboration with T-Lax Avenue

6. ‘Cultural Rhythms at the River’

Held as part of the KL Festival every Saturday throughout this month, this programme showcases Malaysia’s rich cultural diversity through traditional dance, music, and live demonstrations by local groups and indigenous performers.

7. ‘Dance the Walk: Heritage Trails through Movement’

ASK Dance Company

Presented as part of the KL Festival.

8. ‘Setampuk Pinang: Sasanakala’

Witness works by Penang dance artists that explore knowledge and culture through contemporary choreography rooted in tradition. Presented as part of the Penang Heritage Arts Festival.

9. ‘Pending’

The spotlight focuses on January Low

Presented as part of the KL Festival.

10. ‘Never Stand Still by Zulkarnain Zuber’

An evening of contemporary dance conceived and choreographed by Zulkarnain Zuber

‘Ronggeng’ revives the traditions of KL’s multicultural nightlife from the early 20th century. (NusPARC pic)

11. ‘Ronggeng Kuala Lumpur Performance’

Curated by Nusantara Performing Arts Research Center (NusPARC

12. ‘Chapter 2’

Thai choreographer Pichet Klunchun

In this Malaysian premiere, he dialogues with AI to question embodiment, emotion, and co-authorship between human and machine.

13. ‘Miss Belly Dance Asia 2026’

This annual competition celebrates the vibrant and evolving art of belly dance across Asia. Participants hail from various countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, Japan and China.

MUSICAL THEATRE

1. ‘The Addams Family’

The award-winning team at Cempaka Performing Arts Company

‘The Lion: Rise of a New Dawn’ features inspired theatrical costumes, choreography and digital backdrops. (Inspiros International School pic)

2. Broadway Academy Theater Festival

A vibrant two-night celebration of young talent and storytelling, featuring “Dot-Dot-Dot: A Musical Theater Showcase” on May 9, followed by “How to Vanquish A Witch and Avoid Getting Married”, a witty and fast-paced play.

3. ‘The Lion: Rise of a New Dawn’ – Charity Musical Production

Inspiros International School

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