In celebration of Singapore’s 60th National Day and Toy Factory Productions’ 35th anniversary, get ready for a brand new Mandarin musical coming this July. Directed by Goh Boon Teck and written by Jedidiah Huang, Moonlit City takes inspiration from eight timeless songs by renowned Singaporean composer Tan Kah Beng, and delves into the legendary love story of Singapore’s founding parents Lee Kuan Yew and Kwa Geok Choo. Through their unwavering devotion and resilience, the musical brings to life the couple’s extraordinary journey and showcases their shared loyalty and perseverance to Singapore’s transformation and prosperity.

As two of the most influential figures in Singapore’s history, the love story of Lee Kuan Yew and Kwa Geok Choo, spanning six decades, is widely admired. However, the details of their daily lives, their emotional exchanges, and their unwavering support for each other remain untold. Moonlit City shifts its focus to these intimate facets, revealing how the couple weathered life’s storms together while witnessing and contributing to Singapore’s growth.

“When people talk about Lee Kuan Yew and Kwa Geok Choo, we often associate them with their political and historical achievements. But at their core, they were a couple deeply in love. This musical explores their relationship from a humanistic and emotional perspective, shedding light on how their unity and mutual support nurtured a nation’s growth.” says Goh Boon Teck, the Chief Artistic Director of Toy Factory Productions and the director of Moonlit City. 

One of the production’s key highlights is its masterful integration of Singapore’s original music. Toy Factory Productions is proud to embark on its landmark collaboration with Singapore’s renowned composer, Tan Kah Beng, this exciting partnership marks the very first collaboration between Toy Factory and the prestigious artist, promising an extraordinary combination of creative talent and musical brilliance. The production will feature on eight of his timeless classics, including Moonlight in the City（城里的月光）, The Sun After the Rain（阳光总在风雨后）, Regret（遗憾）, Spreading（蔓延）,Burning for You（咖啡香）, Midnight Arrival（都是夜归人）,In the Midst of Chaos（迷乱）,Take Me Away（带我走）. These songs, reimagined with theatrical arrangements, will take the audience back to the golden era of Singaporean music while creating an emotional bridge between history and drama.

The musical revisits Kwa Geok Choo’s invaluable contributions to Singapore’s nation-building history, presenting a fresh and inspiring insight. As an exceptional conveyancing lawyer, a devoted mother, and a steadfast partner to Lee Kuan Yew, Kwa played a pivotal role in stabilizing Singapore’s society and steadfastly supporting her husband’s political career. Her wisdom, patience, and dedication, though understated, were monumental and profound. Moonlit City highlights her story, offering a refreshing and diverse perspective on the significant yet often overlooked contributions of women in a male-dominated historical narrative.

Following the resounding success of the Kwa Geok Choo – Singapore & The Story of Mrs Lee Kuan Yew in 2022, director Goh Boon Teck deepens his exploration of this genre together with an entirely new creative team and stage design for Moonlit City. “The stage will juxtapose the solemnity of the city with the softness of moonlight,” Goh explained. “The interweaving shadows will symbolize our more multifaceted understanding of these two extraordinary individuals. This musical invites audiences to step into their inner worlds and uncover emotions that history has long concealed.”

With a commitment to historical accuracy, the production team has conducted meticulous historical research and maintained Toy Factory’s hallmark attention to detail, ensuring the authenticity of costumes, props, sound effects, and lighting design to recreate the era’s essence.

Stepping into this musical is like stepping back in time to the elegance of 1950s Singapore, where fashion, beauty, and culture intertwined to create an era of refinement and grace. Through meticulous research and artistry, the musical brings to life the vintage aesthetics of the time, featuring impeccably tailored qipaos, structured suits, and sophisticated accessories that reflect the understated elegance of Lee Kuan Yew and Kwa Geok Choo’s generation.  From Kwa’s signature coiffed hairstyles to the polished silhouettes that defined mid-century Singaporean style, every detail is crafted to immerse audiences in a bygone era. The production’s dedication to authenticity offers a visual spectacle that captures the timeless charm of Singapore’s founding years. 

Playwright Jedidiah Huang, who rose to prominence with his debut script Lion as part of Toy Factory’s programme The Wright Stuff, 2021, takes the reins for this production. With a unique perspective and delicate writing style, Wong offers a fresh take on the moving story of Lee Kuan Yew and Kwa Geok Choo.Music director Benny Wong, known for his masterful arrangements, breathes new life into Tan Kah Beng’s eight classics, blending timeless melodies with the narrative’s emotional arc. The cast features Timothy Wan and Sunny Yang in the lead roles of Lee Kuan Yew and Kwa Geok Choo, supported by six extraordinary ensemble performers. Together, they will deliver a moving musical feast that flows through the currents of history.

Every city has a thousand love stories, but with the love story of our founding father, let Toy Factory sweep you away into the night, with this moonlit, lifelong romance born in the city, as it traces the ups and downs of the nation’s journey.

Moonlit City plays from 25th July to 3rd August 2025 at Gateway Theatre. Tickets available from SISTIC