Sherina (Maisha Kanna) and Sadam (Erlangga Noor R.) fighting in 'Musikal Petualangan Sherina' ('Sherina's Adventure: The Musical') in the Jakarta Theater at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Central Jakarta, on Saturday (16/09). (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro)

Jakarta. Indonesians who grew up in the 2000s are certainly familiar with "Petualangan Sherina," or "Sherina's Adventure," a family-orientated musical film characterized by catchy, unforgettable songs about friendship.

In fact, they just had the opportunity to relive the experience by seeing Sherina's shenanigans in a live stage play titled "Musikal Petualangan Sherina" ("Sherina's Adventure: The Musical") in two daily shows in the Jakarta Theater at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Central Jakarta, last weekend.

The adaptation was presented by the Jakarta Movement of Inspiration (JKTMoveIn), a collective for youth below the age of 25 with a passion for the arts, to express themselves through stage performances. Its previous productions were "Musikal Sekolahan" ("High School Musical") in 2014 and "Gemuruh" ("Thunderous") in 2015.

"'Petualangan Sherina' is the best musical film Indonesia has right now. It's already been 17 years since its release, so it's important for JKTMoveIn to revive that. To us, there's no story more fun to be adapted for the stage than 'Petualangan Sherina,'" director and producer Nurul Susantono told the Jakarta Globe after the second show on Saturday (16/09).

The story revolves around an elementary school student named Sherina Melodi Dharmawan, who is sad that she has to transfer to from her school in Jakarta to another in Bandung, West Java, because of her father's new job.

To make matters worse, Sherina does not settle in well at her new school because of a brassy classmate named Sadam and his team of bullies. However, being the brave girl she is, Sherina is the first to stand up against Sadam for her new friends.

One weekend, Sherina has to stay over at the house her father's business partner, Ardiwilanga, who turns out to be Sadam's father. She discovers that Sadam is actually a spoiled mommy's boy.

Sherina and Sadam decide to race to the famous Boscha Observatory the next day. After the two become separated along the way, Sadam is kidnapped by Raden, Master and Mister. The three criminals work for a mafia group headed by Kertarajasa, which has been attempting to buy Sadam's father's tea plantation for a luxury property development project.

The scheme goes as follows: hiring the three to kidnap the children and demand an enormous ransom from Ardiwilaga, which would force him to sell his plantation to Kertarajasa.

However, Sherina manages to find Sadam and overhears the kidnappers' conversation before they fall asleep. Sherina frees Sadam and decides to make a stop at Boscha, but both are soon discovered by the kidnappers. Sherina asks Sadam to leave, but his asthma makes him too weak to move.

Sherina runs as fast as she can back to Sadam's home and finds Ardiwilaga in the middle of selling his plantation to Kertarajasa's right-hand woman, Zus Natasya. Sherina reveals Sadam's whereabouts and the transaction is canceled. As the scheme to take over the plantation is revealed, the police arrest Zus Natasya and Kertarajasa.

In the end, Sherina and Sadam make amends and become best friends.

Recreating a Legacy

With the audience cheering loudly at iconic scenes and mouthing the song lyrics throughout the show, the musical was clearly nostalgic entertainment for fans of the iconic movie.

What deserves an applause is how the 20-something actors who played the adult roles presented a well-executed performance and achieved the intended chemistry with the younger actors.

The main factor that keeps the play fresh are the jokes, which have been modified and improvised to keep up with the times.

Another factor that makes the story more upbeat, is the improvised characterization, especially of the bad guys.

Kertarajasa, played by Rafiz Ari Nugraha, whose lanky figure marks a much younger and less intimidating look than the original, is changed to sport a Michael Corleone look with clean-cut face, pressed suit and a flower in his suit pocket.

Zus Natasya, for instance, is originally only a vicious, seductive character with a Cruella De Vil vibe but with less charisma that makes her a fleeting presence. Abby Galabby, who played Zus Natasya in the Saturday night show, managed to add more dynamic to the character as a form of comic relief, hence making her version more memorable than the original.

Zaya Fadhilah, who plays Kertarajasa's servant Ubay, also has more room to showcase his wonderful talents in showmanship as a comedian, singer and dancer.

All of the performers also slay the hits such as "Lihatlah Lebih Dekat" ("Look Closer"), "Jagoan" ("Hero"), "Persahabatan" ("Friendship"). The additional songs, namely "Kebun" ("Plantation"), "Kaya Mendadak" ("Suddenly Rich") and "Tanda Tangan" ("Signature") also correspond well with the originals.

"We made the new songs from the melodies of the film's score, so if you listen to the new songs and rewatch the movie, you will find them in tune," Nurul said.

In addition, elaborate set designs contribute to the play's success. The audience could not help but have their jaws drop upon seeing a makeshift Boscha with a rotating entrance.

There is still room for improvement in terms of technical issues, to iron out occasional sound problems and misdirected lighting settings that blur the faces of the cast.

Overall, "Musikal Petualangan Sherina" is a fun, lively musical taking loyal fans to reminisce about their childhood favorite.