Ken Dedes' Musical Performance Schedule, Ken Arok's Infidelity Drama In A Beautiful Dance Balutan

Musical Player Ken Dedes (ist)

Ken Dedes, a colossal musical by EKI Dance Company, will return to Ciputra Artpreneur on 16-17 and 23-24 September 2023. The musical Ken Dedes is the masterpiece of director Rusdy Rukmarata who passed away on April 19, 2023, exactly a month after the last Ken Dedes performance on March 19, 2023.

Ken Dedes who raised the drama of infidelity that occurred between Ken Arok-Ken Dedes, as well as the struggle for power that occurred between the descendants of Tunggul Ametung and Ken Arok. Interestingly, in a musical written by Titien Wattimena, the scriptwriter who won Citra, Ken Umang's role was also highlighted.

At the two-day performance in March, Ken Dedes managed to entertain thousands of spectators. Performance with historical stories performed with light-of-kin dialogue, beautiful dances directed by Rusdy Rukmarata (late) with a modern and magnificent stage artistic setting by Iskandar Loedin, as well as music that Oni Krisnerwinto worked on and live.

The great audience interest to witness this musical prompted Ciputra Artpreneur and EKI Dance Company to re-engage Ken Dedes' musicals in September 2023.

"The Ken Dedes Re-Run was held because at the previous Ken Dedes performance, it took 2 days to show a colossal show like this, it didn't feel enough. There were so many viewers who contacted Ciputra Artpreneur and regretted that the time span of the show was too short. Therefore, Ciputra Artpreneur decided to hold a re-run with more number of shows so that more people could participate in watching Ken Dedes," said Rina Ciputra Sastrawinata, President Director of Ciputra Artpreneur in a media statement received by VOI, Friday, July 21.

Ken Dedes displays familiar names on the musical stage and film world such as, Ara Ajisiwi (Ken Dedes), Taufan Purbo (Ken Arok), Nala Amrytha (Ken Umang), Uli Herdinansyah (belal Ametung). In addition, there are Fatih Unru (Anusapati), Geraldo Tanor (Tohjaya), Nino Prabowo (Kebo Ijo), Kiki Narendra (Pak Larto) and Takako Leen (Bu Laras), Muh. Iqbal Sulaiman (Suho) and Yosep Wahyu Tristitiantoro (Regawa).

The 1996 EKI Dance Company's first show was Ken Dedes. It turned out that Rusdy Rukmarata's last show for EKI was also entitled Ken Dedes. For Ken Dedes' musical re-run this September, I invite all players to continue to work hard to perform the best, even though it brings the same role, because this show is very special for us. We hope this show will also be special in the hearts of the audience," said Aiko Senosoenoto, President Director of EKI Dance Company

Ken Dedes' musical songs that are always ringing in the ears of the audience who have witnessed the musical, are now present on various music platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Joox, and iTunes.

One of the songs shown is entitled Tahta and Asmara, which describe exactly what is the problem in this musical. We have been written to realize a brilliant story. The sovereignty of the earth with a more noble throne than life. You and I are fulfilled, carrying out the role of the wind and the windfall of the star is endless, eternal our footprint with blood," he continued.

This poetic lyrics was performed in the melodious voice of Ara Ajisiwi (Ken Dedes) and Taufan Purbo (Ken Arok) with a pairing dance movement between Tango and Tari Java, accompanied by ballet dancers.

Throughout this musical performance, a touch of technology colored the artistic stage. A surprise at the end of the performance presents a dramatic and magnificent ending of the story, which is expected to leave a deep impression on the audience.