JAKARTA – Chicago The Musical officially began its run at Graha Bhakti Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), on April 10, 2026. This licensed production brings international artistic standards to the heart of Jakarta through a collaboration between ADPRO and Jakarta Art House. The show runs until April 12, offering audiences a rare opportunity to witness a world-class Broadway spectacle locally. Director and producer Aldafi Adnan leads the production with a clear vision of triple threat quality. He demands excellence in acting, vocals, and dance from every performer on stage.
Adnan views this musical as more than just a classic show filled with energy and humor. He treats the production as a sharp social reflection of a world that turns sensation into a commodity. The creative team focuses on the absurdity of fame while maintaining the show’s signature sensuality. This approach ensures that the Indonesian version resonates deeply with modern audiences. Leading talents Putri Indam Kamila, Galabby, and Gusty Pratama bring the iconic characters of Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly, and Billy Flynn to life.
The Challenge of Technical Precision
Galabby faces the immense challenge of maintaining powerful, clean vocals amidst demanding choreography. She strives to make the Indonesian adaptation hit home for the local crowd. Music director Ivan Tangkulung and choreographer Hamada Abdool ensure the production remains artistically and technically mature. The cast sings live throughout the entire dance-heavy performance without any comfortable breaks. A grande set design further elevates the experience to mirror the original Broadway atmosphere.
Complex Choreography and Storytelling
Hamada Abdool identifies specific scenes like Cell Block Tango and We Both Reached for the Gun as technical peaks. He designs movements that tell a story rather than just filling space on stage. Every gesture, dialogue, and note requires absolute precision from the ensemble. These complex variables happen simultaneously to create a meaningful narrative flow. The performers must execute every step with intent to maintain the high artistic bar set by the creators.
A Milestone for National Theater
The five-day run of Chicago The Musical sets an important precedent for the Indonesian arts scene. It proves that local talent can execute licensed Broadway works without compromising on global standards. This achievement strengthens the confidence of the national musical theater industry. It paves the way for more world-class productions to enter the Indonesian market in the future. Jakarta now stands ready to compete with the best stages in the world.
As reported by Tia Agnes Astuti of detik/ Photo doc. Jakarta Art House
