COME Aug 9 and 10 at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC), veteran R&B singer Ning Baizura is marking her first major foray into comedy, courtesy of 'The Wow Show Live'.
Ning, who says she is "funny at heart", will be teaming up for the first time on stage with comedienne Joanne Kam, the show's director, radio announcer Shazmin Shamsuddin, as well as the scriptwriter, comedienne and producer Shamaine Othman.
WELL-KNOWN SONGS
"I'll still be singing of course, about six of my well-known songs which have been rearranged or remixed to suit contemporary tastes," said Ning at a press conference to announce the show in Kuala Lumpur recently.
"These include 'Asmara' and 'Kembali', and audiences will have lots of sing-along opportunities too."
Ning will premiere a new song which she specially wrote for fans.
"It is a Malay and English ballad, and I'm sure my fans will love it, for it's got a rather contemporary feel," she said.
CONCERT
Ning's appearance in 'The Wow Show Live' marks 30 years of her involvment in music, and is a prelude to her 30th anniversary concert which will take place next year.
"This is my warm-up for the big celebration next year. To all my fans out there, do get ready for it, for it will be a blast!"
PODCAST
'The Wow Show' is based on the podcast of the same name which Ning, Kam and Shazmin have been hosting since last year, for three seasons.
"This podcast shares Generation X women's issues frankly. For instance, how the three of us broke glass ceilings and faced many challenges to become success stories," said Ning.
Ning added that Shazmin and Kam suggested that their podcast become a stage show, and she fully agreed with them.
"Of the three of us, I'm pretty new to podcasting but having conducted it with Joanne and Shazmin, I now love the experience!"
SISTER ACT
Ning describes herself as a solo act but is now a "sister act" since she is of the same wavelength with Kam and Shazmin.
"There is so much heart in 'The Wow Show', that is why I love it!"
Ning said that the aim of her coming show is to get the audience to learn something and be entertained.
"The objective is to get them to enjoy the show and relate to it.
"There will be many interesting topics that concern the lives of Malaysian women, and the three of us will present it in a light-hearted yet enlightening way," said Ning.
CO-STARS
Ning also said that there will be male "co-stars" in the show.
They are comedians Papi Zak who played the Fairy Godmother in the recent PJPAC pantomime Cinderella, Izzaldin K and Sheikh Irfan who played Kam's "step-daughters", and rising comedy star Kael.
"The entire show will contain skits and sofa chats, with me singing in between discussions," said Ning, adding that all of the topics were picked by Shamaine and Kam.
The special guests are sex educationist Jasmine King and psychologist Shireen Olikh.
PENANG
Ning added that if the public response was good, they might take the show to Penang and other Malaysian cities later.
"In every stage show, there'll be stylish fashion for the stars. The same goes for the three of us, we'll be stylishly dressed by our old friends, fashion designers Rizman Ruzaini and Ashley Wong."
MOVIES
When asked about her other projects, Ning said that she will appear in dramas and movies from time to time.
"Most recently, I starred in the intriguing drama series about power titled 'Kuasa' and the thriller 'Korsakoff' which is about a woman afflicted by a rare illness," said Ning.
Ning prefers to play antagonists these days as they sell.
"But from time to time I will still play good girls and funny ladies!"
SLOWED DOWN
Ning also plans to sing in popular nightspot Bobo KL in Bangsar, as she did last year.
"Over the last few years, I admit I have slowed down my career a little to focus on family," she said.
Ning's mother Satilah Abdullah, 80, suffers from Alzheimer's Disease and this has made her spend more time with her "biggest fan and critic".
She has also been focused on being a mother to 10-year-old Ryan, who is very attached to her.