Proudly presented by Wesley’s very own Youth Ministry (YM), Birthday Letters is an original musical, featuring two dances, four acts and eight original songs. This production is a culmination of over nine months of dedication from children, youth and adults from Wesley who are all passionate about the creative arts.
The scene opens up with the father reminiscing about his children in the past. Set to a sombre, melancholic tune, it’s a heartfelt plea for his estranged children to return to him. This poignant moment resonates deeply, evoking empathy from every parent who witnesses it. You’ll find yourself stepping into the father’s shoes, feeling his anguish and longing.
If you are familiar with the parables in the Bible, then you will discover in a heartbeat that this musical is inspired by the Parable of the Prodigal Son as told by Jesus in Luke 15. However, I feel that this musical extends the parable and brings it to life by showing the multiple perspectives and emotions of the different characters in the musical. At its core, the musical is about having compassion. However, it is not only about the father’s compassion to his two children but also about the compassion that you need to have for your siblings and for your friends.
The prodigal son’s shortcomings are embodied in Lisa, the younger daughter who can do no right. She is misunderstood, and she also misunderstands the true intentions of her compassionate father. Eventually, she decides to leave her family for a wild, reckless life outside only to realise her mistakes when she’s rejected and isolated by her newfound friends. Eventually, she only wishes to run back to the embrace of her warm, loving father.
Like the elder son in the parable, Jacob is a perfectionist and strives to be the good son who always accomplishes great feats. He does not understand why his father doesn’t love him more or why he does not recognise him for his efforts. He has the wrong impression that his father favours his younger sister, and he is perpetually angry.
As a fellow parent myself, I empathise with the father the most. He is clearly playing no favourites but his good intentions are often misunderstood. Each of his birthday letters, skilfully written, reveals how much love he has for his beloved children. His birthday letters, a recurring motif in the musical, eventually help to clear the air for the trio and allows for reconciliation. The use of the written word in the form of letters is symbolic as it represents the Word of God – a firm reminder of our Father’s love. Thus, we must remember to turn to the Bible at all times because it is a book of God’s love letters for us.
It almost seems as if Birthday Letters is a sequel to the Father’s Day sermon that was delivered by Rev Lim Jen Huat the week before. In his sermon, he also spoke coincidentally about the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Wrapping up the sermon, Pastor Jen Huat said that the older son’s response to his father in Luke 15:31 (“My son,” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.”) is not mentioned in the Parable. Perhaps it is like the reconciliation scene in the final act of Birthday Letters where the older son finally understands his father’s love.
The eight original songs each have their own character. The finale song Come to the Garden is particularly memorable. It is a showstopper and a beautiful conclusion to the musical. What makes it more beautiful is the fact that it is sung collaboratively by the actors who play Jacob, Lisa and their father. The song definitely tugs at one’s heartstrings. Several members of the audience are spotted wiping their tears as they sit enthralled by the powerful and expressive YM cast. I also particularly enjoy Fast Lane which has several pop elements and popular metaphors. Many of the teenagers bob to the beat, some even clapping as teenage Lisa and her crew dance to the catchy tune.
We must not forget the contemporary dancers who are seamlessly integrated into scene changes. They add a captivating visual dimension with their graceful movements. Without a doubt, their performances enhance the narrative flow of the musical.
The musical comes to a flawless finish but it is not quite the end. Emcee Nico Tan delivers the Scripture (Luke 15) at the end and invites Ryan Chan and Daniel Kumar to share their testimonies. Both men feel that the Scripture and the musical are reminiscent of their own lives and their journey to Jesus. Ryan shares that he always thought his parents owed him everything and he was angry and bitter. However, since reuniting with God, he is only reminded of one thing: that God loves him so much. Daniel, on the other hand, was the quintessential hooligan who had committed all sorts of petty crimes. However, thankfully, he got to know Jesus and his walk is not like before. He quotes Psalm 40:2, “He lifted me out of the slimy pit,” and shares how he was saved by the grace of God. Daniel’s testimony is a reminder of Matthew 19: 26, “with God all things are possible.” Today, Daniel serves our Lord as a full-time staff at YM. Finally, YM’s pastor, Rev Benjamin Lau, wraps up the event with an invitation for the audience to respond. Like the producer and director Natania Leow says, the past four years have been a significant struggle for everyone. She hopes that this musical will give everyone hope and the knowledge of our Heavenly Father’s love for us.
Photos courtesy of Wesley Youth Ministry
See more Birthday Letters photos here
Read also: Birthday Letters: A Musical Production by Wesley Youth Ministry
