How Drama returns with the 2025 edition of their hit show, tackling politics, musicals, and pop culture with a bundle of laughs.

In a year where the headlines have been equal parts surreal and exhausting from election chatter to global trade fallouts, sometimes the only way to keep up is to burst into song. And if there’s one show that can turn the chaos of current affairs into an hour of joyful pandemonium, it’s How Drama with their new show Fat Kids Are Harder to Kidnap®: The Musical.

Directed by Melissa Sim, co-written with Jeremy Au Yong, and given fresh musical life by music director Eugene Yip, the premise of their signature show remains unchanged – 31 short plays in 60 minutes, this time performed by Ross Nasir, Teoh Jun Vinh, Jo Tan, Jon Cancio, and Tiara Yap. But now, more than ever, the sketches are punctuated by song-and-dance numbers, with choreography by Vernon Huang and live vocals that range from Broadway to getai. The interactive format is still the core and heart of the show: audience members call out numbers, cast members rip the corresponding page from a Chinese calendar strung on a clothesline, and the countdown begins.

As with previous editions, the subject matter swings wildly between the hyper-local and the global. One moment, we’re dealing with the diplomatic tangle of US–China tariffs (underscored by a nod to Wicked), the next, we’re watching everyone’s favourite “Taskforce Man” swoop in to handle a crisis. The show isn’t shy about poking fun at Singaporean quirks either – from the expiry date of CDC vouchers set to Les Misérables’ “One Day More”, to a skit about sign language interpretation that spirals into comedic chaos, to a sly reference to the now-infamous photo with a certain bank’s CEO.

The musical additions give the evening a fresh charge. Jun Vinh’s return to the stage is a welcome one, particularly when he dons a crown and channels Hamilton’s King George in a fun rendition of “You’ll Be Back”. Meanwhile, Ross, a staple of Fat Kids over the years, remains a magnetic presence, anchoring even the most outrageous set pieces. Pop culture riffs are abound: a Poker Face backtrack, a surreal sunrise-from-the-east sequence, and a cameo by the viral Labubu all make appearances.

Not every sketch hits the same, and as with any 31-play marathon, a few ideas fizzle before reaching full comedic potential. Still, with its relentless pace and the sheer variety, it’s a surefire way to ensure every audience member finds at least a handful of favourites. Standouts include a getai segment, featuring the infamous “Look left, look right” number, the Wicked interlude on tariffs, and the rousing finale: a full-cast ensemble celebrating with K-Pop Demon Hunters’ “Soda Pop” like a victory lap.

By the time the cast completes the triumphant 31st play, the energy in the room is electric – part relief, part elation, and entirely communal. That, perhaps, is the secret to Fat Kids Are Harder to Kidnap; beyond the topical humour and breakneck timing, it’s a celebration of audience connection, the shared in-jokes of a place and moment in time. This year, they’ve added harmonies, choreography, and just enough madness to remind us why theatre is best experienced together, in real time.

Fat Kids Are Harder to Kidnap®: The Musical played from 1st to 3rd August 2025 at the Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium @ Wild Rice. More information available here

Production Credits

Director Melissa Sim Co-Writers Melissa Sim and Jeremy Au Yong Cast Ross Nasir, Teoh Jun Vinh, Jo Tan, Jon Cancio, Tiara Yap Music Director Eugene Yip Dance Choreographer Vernon Huang Lighting Designer Alvin Chai Multimedia Designer:Shah Zulkinya Stage Manager Rosie Putri Assistant Stage Manager Jean Yinn Crew Priyanka Darshini and Adrina Bang