Review: EKI Dance Company’s Lutung Kasarung Re-Run is A Show Full of Laughs

Review by Zahira, editing by Rakaputra Paputungan.

What happens when you mix a classic Sundanese folklore with the energy of a comedy musical? You get Lutung Kasarung Re-Run—a vibrant, laugh-out-loud experience by EKI Dance Company that proves cerita rakyat can absolutely shine on stage and make you snort-laugh in your seat.

From May 22 to 24, 2025, Lutung Kasarung Re-Run returned to the stage as a lively reinterpretation of an old folklore, performed at Ciputra Artpreneur and directed by Ara Ajisiwi.

Set in the fictional Kingdom of Pasir Batang, the musical tells the story of Lutung Kasarung, a handsome prince cursed into the body of a monkey because of his vanity. He later redeems himself by helping the kind-hearted Princess Purbasari who was cursed with skin blemishes by her jealous sister, Purbararang, in a bid to steal her title as crown princess.

The show begins with monkeys stepping to the audience's seats and handing out bananas that we could return afterwards—the show established its interactive flair. This is my first interactive theater experience, so it gives me an idea on what to expect. It was a brilliant touch that immediately broke the fourth wall and set the tone for the night: unpredictable, irreverent, and highly engaging. This wasn’t just another sit-and-watch performance—audiences were invited to play along from the start, creating a shared space of playfulness and spontaneity.

The cast’s comedic timing was razor-sharp, with the jokes landing consistently and the energy staying high throughout. The show doesn’t pretend to be deep, and it doesn’t need to be—it embraces the absurdity of its source material (let’s face it, Lutung Kasarung is kind of a ridiculous story to begin with) and delivers it with gleeful self-awareness. The result feels refreshingly unserious in all the right ways: like a theme park performance in the best sense. It’s designed for laughs, for spectacle, and for sheer entertainment—and it fully commits to that goal.

They delivered strong performances: Purbasari (played by Nala Amrytha) portrayed as someone naive and sincere, her timing was perfect in making her misfortunes feel genuinely affecting—at times, I can almost feel pity for her misfortunes amidst all the laughter. On the other hand, Purbararang (played by Ara Ajisiwi) stole the spotlight with razor-sharp wit and commanding stage presence. Purbararang got most of the funniest lines and Ara Ajiswi played her with delicious comedic flair, often dragging down every character on scene. The contrast between the two created a dynamic push-and-pull that grounded the story even as it played out in the heightened world of musical comedy. I also enjoyed Gerry Gerardo’s performance as Lutung—he captured the goofy charm of Lutung with just the right amount of silliness. His vocal choices made him sound convincingly like a monkey, yet I could still hear the emotion behind his words and follow what he was saying, although his delivery fluctuated between sounding flamboyant and more traditionally masculine, which I felt was a bit inconsistent.

The ensemble—especially the monkeys and orang-orang rakyat—added so much texture and chaos to the performance in the best way possible. They jazzed up the stage whether through cheeky side comments, exaggerated reactions, or full-on chaos. During the battle scenes (yes, even the rap battles), they acted as hype squads and provocateurs, shouting, cheering, and stirring things up to the point of making the stage feel like a full-blown arena. Their presence kept the energy high and the atmosphere delightfully rowdy from start to finish.

The music was one of the show’s biggest highlights—I had so much fun listening to the songs. They were witty, funny, and full of personality. From melancholy melodies to beat-driven bops (even rap!) the soundscape of Lutung Kasarung kept the audience on their toes. The lyrics didn’t just move the story along—they added punchlines, character, and an extra layer of entertainment that made the whole experience even more enjoyable—yes, they were spitting bars. And by being an interactive performance, the audiences could sing along to the songs too. 

The costumes were equally delightful—traditional, bright, and sparkly, helping the ensembles stand out while blending seamlessly with the already vibrant stage.

In the end, Lutung Kasarung Re-Run feels like a one-day-only joyride—a roadshow, a spectacle, or, as my friend aptly put it, “the kind of performance you can watch at a theme park.” It doesn’t aim for thematic depth or narrative complexity, but it doesn’t have to. What it offers is something else entirely: laughter, cultural flair, and a night of communal fun.

Verdict? 10/10 I would watch it again (if the ticket prices are friendly). I think Lutung Kasarung could pave away from the stereotype of cerita rakyat being a dusty textbook material. This musical might just change my mind—making me laugh till my cheeks hurt while it’s at. They fully committed to the bit. It’s hilariously intimate—like joking around with friends, where each person adds a punchline one after another, adding a bit to the previous bit, making the moment funnier and funnier until you just can’t stop laughing.

Broadwayworld Indonesia is a media partner of Lutung Kasarung.