Sunway City Unveils JCPAC, Positions Itself As A Regional Hub For Performing Arts

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- Sunway City Kuala Lumpur has long been known as a township driven by education, healthcare and commercial developments.

Now, it is positioning itself as a regional hub for the performing arts following the unveiling of the Jeffrey Cheah Performing Arts Centre (JCPAC) today.

The new venue signals a broader shift in urban development, one that places cultural infrastructure on par with economic growth.

Sunway Group executive deputy chair Datin Paduka Sarena Cheah said JCPAC will stand as one of Southeast Asia's most iconic landmarks, offering a space where people from all walks of life can come together, feel inspired, and experience the arts as part of their everyday lives.

“Our founder and chairman, Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, has always believed a flourishing city is not just about buildings and hardware...it is also about the soul. 

“JCPAC represents the beating heart of Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, helping to define the character of our township alongside our commercial developments,” she said during the soft launch of JCPAC today.

Come August, the new performing arts centre will open its doors for an inaugural season stretching through January 2027.

Its two halls, a grand 1,200-seat Proscenium Theatre and an intimate 150-seat Experimental Theatre, promise something for every audience.

Even more compelling is the opening line-up: a vibrant fusion of local and international productions, headlined by Puteri Gunung Ledang the Musical and Butterfly Lovers the Musical.

Producing Artistic Director Melissa Teoh said the programming approach strikes a careful balance between homegrown storytelling and global perspectives.

“We wanted the opening season to reflect who we are and who we aspire to be — a home for Malaysian artists and a gateway to the best of global performance.

“Our programme reflects this dual commitment, bringing together works rooted in our cultural landscape alongside international productions that broaden perspectives and set new benchmarks for excellence.

“We believe a performing arts centre should reflect the richness of the community it serves. Our work spans theatre, music, dance, film, comedy and new forms, creating space for diverse voices and audiences,” she said.

Teoh added that education and audience development are at the heart of their mission, with dynamic programmes for young people, families and emerging artists designed to spark curiosity, nurture creativity, and shape the next generation of audiences. 

“The performing arts centre is conceived as more than a stage. It is a place to discover, gather and connect through the stories we share,” she emphasised. 

-- BERNAMA