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Malaysia's performing arts scene has welcomed a major new addition with the official opening of the RM200 million Jeffrey Cheah Performing Arts Centre (JCPAC) at Sunway Square. Developed by Sunway Group, the centre is designed to bring international productions to Malaysian audiences while creating more opportunities for local and Southeast Asian performers to showcase their talents.
With a 1,200-seat Grand Theatre, an intimate experimental theatre and advanced sound technology, JCPAC aims to provide a world-class environment for everything from Broadway musicals and orchestral concerts to dance, drama and emerging theatrical productions.
The investment also reflects Sunway Group's ambition to make the performing arts a more prominent part of education, community life and Malaysia's cultural development.
With a 1,200-seat Grand Theatre, an intimate experimental theatre and advanced sound technology, JCPAC aims to provide a world-class environment for everything from Broadway musicals and orchestral concerts to dance, drama and emerging theatrical productions.
The investment also reflects Sunway Group's ambition to make the performing arts a more prominent part of education, community life and Malaysia's cultural development.
Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO, founder and chairman of Sunway Group, said the development was driven by the belief that the arts deserve the same level of investment and support as other important areas of society.
“Our investment in JCPAC reflects our belief that excellence in the performing arts deserves the same commitment, resources and opportunities that we devote to education and research,” he said.
“We want Malaysian artists to have access to world-class facilities, to collaborate with leading productions from around the world and to develop their talents to the highest international standards,” he added.
Beyond providing a new performance venue, the centre is intended to help Malaysian artists build international connections through collaborations, exchanges and professional development opportunities.
“Our investment in JCPAC reflects our belief that excellence in the performing arts deserves the same commitment, resources and opportunities that we devote to education and research,” he said.
“We want Malaysian artists to have access to world-class facilities, to collaborate with leading productions from around the world and to develop their talents to the highest international standards,” he added.
Beyond providing a new performance venue, the centre is intended to help Malaysian artists build international connections through collaborations, exchanges and professional development opportunities.
Inside JCPAC's Grand Theatre and Advanced Sound Technology
One of JCPAC's biggest highlights is its 1,200-seat Grand Theatre, which features Malaysia's first combined installation of L-Acoustics L-ISA immersive sound and Ambiance active acoustics.
Of the centre's RM200 million development cost, approximately RM30 million was allocated specifically to its sound system and acoustics technology.
Unlike conventional theatre setups, the combined technology allows the Grand Theatre's acoustic environment to be adjusted according to the type of performance taking place. Whether audiences are attending an orchestral concert, a musical theatre production or a spoken drama, the acoustics can be adapted without physically changing the theatre's architecture.
The Grand Theatre also features a full-sized fly tower and orchestra pit, supporting the technical and staging requirements of major theatrical productions.
These facilities are particularly important for large-scale musicals and international touring shows, where elaborate sets, live orchestras and complex stage movements are often part of the experience.
One of JCPAC's biggest highlights is its 1,200-seat Grand Theatre, which features Malaysia's first combined installation of L-Acoustics L-ISA immersive sound and Ambiance active acoustics.
Of the centre's RM200 million development cost, approximately RM30 million was allocated specifically to its sound system and acoustics technology.
Unlike conventional theatre setups, the combined technology allows the Grand Theatre's acoustic environment to be adjusted according to the type of performance taking place. Whether audiences are attending an orchestral concert, a musical theatre production or a spoken drama, the acoustics can be adapted without physically changing the theatre's architecture.
The Grand Theatre also features a full-sized fly tower and orchestra pit, supporting the technical and staging requirements of major theatrical productions.
These facilities are particularly important for large-scale musicals and international touring shows, where elaborate sets, live orchestras and complex stage movements are often part of the experience.
Complementing the Grand Theatre is The Studio, a smaller and more flexible experimental performance space that can accommodate up to 150 people.
The Studio features a portable stage, reconfigurable seating and independent lighting, audio and backstage facilities. This allows the venue to support smaller productions, experimental performances and educational programmes while operating independently of the Grand Theatre.
Together, the two venues provide a range of possibilities for established theatre companies, independent performers and emerging creative talents.
The Studio features a portable stage, reconfigurable seating and independent lighting, audio and backstage facilities. This allows the venue to support smaller productions, experimental performances and educational programmes while operating independently of the Grand Theatre.
Together, the two venues provide a range of possibilities for established theatre companies, independent performers and emerging creative talents.
The centre's official launch was celebrated with Brand New Day: A Symphonic Broadway Celebration, a musical showcase that brought together more than 100 performers.
The production featured 22 singers, eight dancers and the 73-piece TUTAN Festival Orchestra, under the direction of award-winning conductor Kevin Field, whose work spans classical, contemporary and theatrical music.
Led by an international creative team, the concert brought together performers including Stephen Rahman-Hughes, Sean Ghazi, Izen Kong, Aaron Teoh, Gian Magdangal, Elvira Arul, Ida Mariana, Lara Maigue, Mae Elliessa and Tria Aziz.
Audiences were treated to musical theatre favourites from productions such as Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Wicked and Dreamgirls.
The opening performance served as an introduction to the scale of entertainment that JCPAC is capable of hosting, combining live orchestral music, vocal performances and theatrical staging within its new Grand Theatre.
The production featured 22 singers, eight dancers and the 73-piece TUTAN Festival Orchestra, under the direction of award-winning conductor Kevin Field, whose work spans classical, contemporary and theatrical music.
Led by an international creative team, the concert brought together performers including Stephen Rahman-Hughes, Sean Ghazi, Izen Kong, Aaron Teoh, Gian Magdangal, Elvira Arul, Ida Mariana, Lara Maigue, Mae Elliessa and Tria Aziz.
Audiences were treated to musical theatre favourites from productions such as Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Wicked and Dreamgirls.
The opening performance served as an introduction to the scale of entertainment that JCPAC is capable of hosting, combining live orchestral music, vocal performances and theatrical staging within its new Grand Theatre.
Looking ahead, JCPAC has already lined up several productions for its inaugural season, offering audiences a mix of Malaysian musical theatre, Asian storytelling and international family entertainment.
Among the upcoming productions are:
Cheah also highlighted the importance of building relationships with performing arts organisations overseas to encourage cultural exchanges and create more opportunities for Malaysian artists.
“We have much to contribute to the global cultural landscape, and our artists deserve every opportunity to be seen, heard and appreciated beyond our shores,” he said.
Among the upcoming productions are:
- Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical
- Beginning 31 October 2026, bringing the well-known Malaysian story to the stage.
- Dama Asia's The Butterfly Lovers The Musical
- Scheduled for November 2026, presenting a musical adaptation of the celebrated Chinese love story.
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the Musical
- Running from 22 December 2026 to 10 January 2027, bringing the popular story to audiences during the year-end holiday period.
Cheah also highlighted the importance of building relationships with performing arts organisations overseas to encourage cultural exchanges and create more opportunities for Malaysian artists.
“We have much to contribute to the global cultural landscape, and our artists deserve every opportunity to be seen, heard and appreciated beyond our shores,” he said.
JCPAC forms part of the wider RM1.8 billion Sunway Square integrated development, which brings together commercial, retail, educational and cultural spaces within one destination.
The development comprises twin corporate towers, Sunway Square Mall and an expanded Sunway University campus, which houses the Sunway Business School and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
By placing a dedicated performing arts centre within this integrated environment, Sunway Group is creating opportunities for cultural activities to connect with education, business and the wider community.
For Malaysia's performing arts industry, the opening of JCPAC represents more than the arrival of another theatre. Its combination of advanced facilities, international production capabilities and commitment to developing local talent provides a new platform for Malaysian performers to pursue larger creative ambitions and reach audiences beyond the country.
The development comprises twin corporate towers, Sunway Square Mall and an expanded Sunway University campus, which houses the Sunway Business School and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
By placing a dedicated performing arts centre within this integrated environment, Sunway Group is creating opportunities for cultural activities to connect with education, business and the wider community.
For Malaysia's performing arts industry, the opening of JCPAC represents more than the arrival of another theatre. Its combination of advanced facilities, international production capabilities and commitment to developing local talent provides a new platform for Malaysian performers to pursue larger creative ambitions and reach audiences beyond the country.
