Latest news with #SweetCharity
New Paper
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Paper
Malay rock legend Rosli Mohalim is a busker now
He was a rockstar who performed in huge venues across Singapore and Malaysia. But today, Rosli Mohalim, ex-lead guitarist of Singapore's most illustrious Malay rock band Sweet Charity, has a more humble stage - you can catch him busking in Changi Village, Tampines, Admiralty Village, and Jurong Park. The Singaporean musician suffered a stroke in 2021. After a year of treatment which included acupuncture and physiotherapy, the 71-year-old found his proficiency as a guitarist had drastically diminished. "I was slowly recovering, but I still could not play the guitar like before," he told Berita Harian. He felt his dexterity returning in 2023, but performance offers were not forthcoming. Rosli then decided to take matters into his own hands - he started busking in Johor Bahru, where he has lived since 2002. Last year, he auditioned successfully for a busking licence in Singapore, and now performs here three to four days a week. He makes a two-hour trip from his home in JB, arriving in Singapore between 11am and noon, and performs for three to four hours before heading back across the Causeway. He also performs weekly at Plaza Angsana in JB. "I'm grateful that I'm earning quite well as a street musician," he told Malaysia's New Straits Times. "I've recovered about 90 per cent, but the stroke did affect my performance slightly. Nevertheless, many people still come to listen to my music." A rock legend Sweet Charity ruled the Malay rock scene in Singapore and Malaysia from the 1970s to the 1980s, and hits such as Teratai (1979) and Kamelia (1980) enjoy regular airplay on Malay radio. As recently as 2023, Rosli performed with the band in a reunion tour which included shows at the 3,000-seat Stadium Arena Larkin in JB and the 5,000-capacity Star Theatre in Singapore, along with stops in Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak. Busking seems like a much smaller gig compared to those, but Rosli is unfazed. For him, it beats doing nothing. "At this age, it's not good to just sit still. I have to stay active. I occasionally bump into my old bandmate Datuk Ramli Sarip, and he approves of what I'm doing," he added.
Borneo Post
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Rock in the Jungle 2.0 set to electrify Sarawak Cultural Village this August
Several RiTJ 2.0 line-up members pose for a group photo during the recent briefing session. KUCHING (July 7): The much-anticipated Rock in the Jungle (RiTJ) festival is set to return for its second edition on Aug 29 and 30, promising another round of electrifying performances at the Sarawak Cultural Village. This year's installment will showcase six powerhouse acts over two days, including two renowned Indonesian rock bands and for the first time, an international metal act from Japan. Following its successful debut last year, RiTJ is back 'louder, bolder, and more electrifying', said RiTJ 2.0 event administrator Nur Linda Bara Abdullah. 'The festival remains rooted in celebrating rock music in harmony with the beauty of nature,' she shared during a press briefing at the Star on Stage venue, last Saturday. RiTJ spokesperson Zaini Zainuddin stated that the festival aims to attract 12,000 attendees, doubling last year's turnout of approximately 5,700. He noted improvements were made following feedback from the inaugural edition. 'We've learnt from our weaknesses. Last year's lineup included classic rock bands like Sweet Charity and Wings, which appealed to older audiences. 'This year, we've added bands like Nice Stupid Playground to engage younger fans,' Zaini said. One major highlight this year is the inclusion of international talent beyond Southeast Asia, with Japan's legendary band Loudness joining the act. 'Last year, we didn't have any artistes from outside the Asean region. This year, we're stepping up,' said Zaini. Zaini shared that securing Loudness was seamless, as the band had already expressed interest in performing in Sarawak. Zaini said the organisers are targetting 12,000 attendees over the two days of RiTJ 2.0. – Photos by Jude Toyat 'It has always been a dream to give rock its own platform in Sarawak. We know there is a strong underground scene here. Now it's time to take scale up and if support remains strong, this could become an annual event,' he added. The line-up also includes prominent names like Gigi and Kotak, alongside Sarawakian performers, creating opportunities for local bands to share the stage with major regional and international acts. 'Last year, we featured bands from Kuala Lumpur. This year, we've intentionally brought in Indonesian acts alongside Sarawakian bands. 'It's important for our local performers to experience the pride of sharing the same stage with these big names,' Zaini said, adding that the organisers are committed to making RiTJ inclusive. The event, he noted, will welcome attendees from all walks of life, including children and persons with disabilities (OKU), and will embrace a 'jiwa rock' spirit – a celebration of diversity and freedom in music. Tickets are available at with early bird rates open until Aug 5. A press conference for RiTJ, featuring Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, is expected to be held next week. concert entertainment lead Nur Linda Bara Abdullah Rock In The Jungle
Epoch Times
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
‘Sweet Charity': Nostalgia for the Golden Age of Broadway
CHICAGO—She gets pushed into a lake, her purse is stolen, she has an embarrassing encounter with a famous film star, and gets stuck in an elevator. With so many mishaps you would think that the story of this woman—Charity Hope Valentine—would be a tragedy. But with a book by comic genius Neil Simon, it's the stuff of an engaging and charming comedy. It's not only the laughs, though, that makes 'Sweet Charity' such a delight. Credit goes to its effervescent songbook by Cy Coleman with witty lyrics by Dorothy Fields, and the inimitable and fantastic jazzy choreography, which legendary choreographer Bob Fosse created.
Chicago Tribune
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Review: An intimate, optimistic ‘Sweet Charity' from Blank Theatre Co.
When it comes to optimism, Charity Hope Valentine bests ever other character in a Broadway musical. Whatever life throws at the dance hall hostess from the 1996 musical 'Sweet Charity' by Cy Coleman, Neil Simon and Dorothy Fields, the titular heroine dusts (or dries) herself off and carries on. Her travails range from financial impecunity to employment instability and from getting stuck in an elevator to dealing with a crummy boyfriend. Each and every time, she abides. That idea of Gotham survivorship was the main point of the musical (which was adapted from a Federico Fellini movie that had been much heavier on the tragic pathos). But the main point of attending 'Sweet Charity,' then and now, is the phenomenal Swingin' Sixties score: 'Big Spender,' 'If My Friends Could See Me Now,' 'Where Am I Going?,' 'The Rhythm of Life' (famously associated with the great Sammy Davis Jr.) and the title number, one of my favorite Coleman songs. Nobody writes 'em like that anymore. And, of course, the book is by the greatest comedic playwright of the middle years of the 20th century, so there's that. This bit of Broadway excellence (a product of its time, of course) is being produced in intimate fashion by the Blank Theatre Company, which has cast the show mostly with youthful actors, all of whom throw themselves at the material with much exuberance. I was quite taken with the show's gutsy star, Teah Kiang Mirabelli, mostly because she so embodies the essential optimism of Charity, which is really what matters most. She's not the traditional kind of performative, triple-threat Charity, Shirley MacLaine, but she's real and vulnerable and Chicago-style and you'll find yourself pulling for both performer and character, which is key to this show. The rest of director Johanna McKenzie Miller's production is a mixed bag. In any romantic comedy, you have to believe that the protagonist will be safe and happy with her potential partner and that means Dustin Rothbart, who plays Oscar, has to be careful not to play the end of the show from the beginning. He leans into the neuroses, which is fine to a point, but in order for the plot to work you also have to see and believe what Charity sees, too. This Oscar comes off as trouble from the start. Elsewhere, this otherwise likable company has some issues getting the scale of the space correct: sometimes, the show is under-vocalized; at others, things feel overplayed for the upstairs space at the Greenhouse. I suspect that will improve as the run continues but it was the show's biggest problem on the night I was there. Easily fixed, too. There's much else to enjoy along with fabo Carnaby Street-esque costumes from Cindy Moon. As choreographed by Lauryn Schmelzer, Madison Jaffe-Richter anchors most of the often droll dancing and there's some terrific singing from Kelcy Taylor, who just needs more confidence. This is a very hard show to pull off in this kind of space and the commitment and good humor of this creative crew is palpable. Chris Jones is a Tribune critic. cjones5@ Review: 'Sweet Charity' (2.5 stars) When: Through June 8 Where: Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes Tickets: $37 at 773-404-7336 and
Daily Mail
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ruth Buzzi dead at 88: 70s comedienne was best known for TV's Laugh-In with Goldie Hawn
Seventies comedienne Ruth Buzzi has died at the age of 88. She passed away on Monday at her home in Texas while under hospice, it was reported on her official Facebook page. The star was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2012 and was disabled from a stroke in 2022. The comedienne was best known for starring in the NBC variety sketch comedy show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In which aired from 1968 to 1973. The show won her a Golden Globe Award and received five Emmy nominations. Her costar was Goldie Hawn. Ruth also appeared on several popular TV shows such as Days of Our Lives, The Carol Burnett Show, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Berenstain Bears, The Pink Panther and 1976's Freaky Friday. Her last acting credit was a starring role in the 2021 movie One Month Out. Ruth's close friends were a who's who of the 1970s: Lucille Ball, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Marlo Thomas and Johnny Carson. Buzzi was born in Rhode Island and raised in Stonington, Connecticut. Her first job was with singer Rudy Vallee in a live musical and comedy act when she was only 19-years-old and still a student. She moved to New York City after graduation from college then worked alongside Barbra Streisand, Joan Rivers, Dom DeLuise, Bernadette Peters, and Carol Burnett. Ruth also appeared in numerous television commercials. Her first big TV role was on The Garry Moore Show in 1964 with Dom DeLuise. The star then appeared on The Entertainers (1964–65). In 1966–67, she appeared in Sweet Charity with Bob Fosse's wife Gwen Verdon in the original cast. Next came The Steve Allen Comedy Hour, a variety series starring Steve Allen. And then she landed a part on her biggest show: Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In where she played Flicker Farkle; Busy-Buzzi; Doris Swizzler; and one of the Burbank Airlines Stewardesses. She could also be seen on That Girl as Marlo Thomas' friend Margie Peterson. Buzzi also guest-starred as Chloe, the wife of phone company worker Henry Beesmeyer (Marvin Kaplan) on Alice in 1981. She was also a guest star on Down to Earth in 1985. Dean Martin's producer Greg Garrison hired her for his comedy specials starring Dom DeLuise. And she popped up on Donny & Marie, The Flip Wilson Show, The Dean Martin Music and Comedy Hour, the Dean Martin Roasts, The Carol Burnett Show, Tony Orlando and Dawn, The Monkees, Emergency!, and variety series hosted by Leslie Uggams and by Glen Campbell. She also appeared occasionally on game shows and was a celebrity judge on The Gong Show. And she was on Lucille Ball's last comedy Life with Lucy as Mrs. Wilcox in the episode Lucy Makes a Hit. She appeared eight times on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. And Ruth showed up on Sesame Street in 1993 as shopkeeper, Ruthie. Later, she was seen on Saved by the Bell, The Muppet Show, Passions and Come on Over. She had featured roles in more than 20 films, including Chu Chu and the Philly Flash, Freaky Friday, The North Avenue Irregulars, The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again, The Villain, The Being, Surf II, and The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. Buzzi lived with her husband, actor Kent Perkins, on a 600-acre cattle and horse ranch near Stephenville, Texas. The TV veteran was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2012. In July 2022, it was reported that Buzzi had suffered a series of strokes. Buzzi died at her home in her sleep in hospice care in Stephenville, Texas on May 1, 2025 from complications of Alzheimer's disease, at the age of 88.
