Winner of the YSDAF 2025 Pitch Start grant aimed at engaging Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) through the arts.

DETOUR: The Musical is a 20-minute original sung-through production that explores the unexpected human connections formed during the chaotic annual rush home for Chinese New Year. Set on the eve of the celebration, the story centres on two strangers: Raju, a young man adopted into a Chinese family who recently dropped out of college without telling them, and Sharon, a Chinese woman dealing with the aftermath of a broken engagement. Stranded in a small Malaysian town due to a massive highway standstill, they, along with other travellers, come to terms with the realisation that they may not make it home in time for reunion dinner.

As the characters seek refuge in the kampung, a tapestry of stories unfolds—stories of identity, quiet generosity, and unexpected comfort. Through simple acts of kindness, the strangers begin to experience a different kind of reunion: one rooted in empathy, reflection, and shared humanity.

Inspired by the theme “Community: Side by Side,” this musical reimagines a uniquely Malaysian moment through a lens of inclusivity and cultural connection.

What makes this project especially meaningful is its inclusive casting. Deaf performers will take on key roles, working alongside hearing musical theatre actors to bring the story to life. Through sign language, movement, and music, the production embraces multiple modes of communication, creating a layered, accessible theatrical experience that reflects the diversity of the community it represents.

At its heart, DETOUR is a story about what happens when we are forced to pause—how in those moments of stillness, when plans are disrupted and expectations are unmet, we may just discover the most meaningful connections of all.