The beloved story of Perahu Kertas sets sail once again—this time as a heartfelt stage musical. Adapted from the iconic novel by Dee Lestari, the Musical Perahu Kertas carries the theme Reviving Dreams and will be staged at Ciputra Artpreneur Jakarta from January 30 to February 15, 2026, with a total of 21 performances.
The musical invites audiences to follow the journey of two young souls, Kugy and Keenan, both born with artistic spirits yet challenged by life’s realities. Kugy chooses to create fairy tales as her safe haven when reality feels unkind, while Keenan—a gifted young painter—struggles under the weight of his father’s expectations as he searches for the freedom to express himself. Their meeting among billions of people feels like a pause granted by the universe—a journey filled with choices, dreams, and emotions that are not always easy to express, yet deeply believed to one day find their way to each other.
Portraying Kugy, Alya Syahrani shared that the musical adaptation of Perahu Kertas offers a complete theatrical experience, seamlessly blending music, literature, and performance into a warm and emotionally resonant journey. For Alya, the musical is also deeply personal. Since entering the musical theatre industry in 2012, Musical Perahu Kertas marks her seventh musical production.
“Perahu Kertas holds a special emotional connection for me because it speaks about dreams and the search for identity. Through this process, I was reminded of the very reason I first fell in love with stage arts,” Alya said.
Meanwhile, Dewara Zaqqi, who plays Keenan, revealed that his decision to audition was driven by his love for both the novel and film adaptation of Perahu Kertas. He feels the story closely reflects everyday life. Christoffer Nelwan, portraying Remi, described his character as a symbol of sincerity and a different form of love for Kugy—one that helps her truly understand her own feelings.
Marsha Lavinia, who plays Luhde, added that her character plays a crucial role in Keenan’s journey, serving as a supportive presence who helps him find his way back to his dreams.
For Dee Lestari, Perahu Kertas represents a major milestone in her career as a novelist. She first wrote the story in 1996 while still in college, before it was officially published as a novel in 2008.
“After becoming a film, I am now realizing my dream of seeing Perahu Kertas come to life on the musical stage for the first time. To this day, it remains one of my most widely read works. I hope this musical version will touch even more hearts and encourage audiences to dare to revive their dreams,” Dee shared.
Musical Perahu Kertas is a collaborative production by Trinity Entertainment Network, Trinity Youth Symphony Orchestra (TRUST), and Indonesia Kaya. The production features 38 performers supported by a 20-member creative team. Director and choreographer Venytha Yoshiantini explained that Kugy and Keenan’s journey is translated through movement and music that amplify emotional waves, allowing audiences to feel the rhythm of dreams and the inner dynamics of both characters.
From a musical perspective, the production is enriched by composers Ifa Fachir and Simhala Avadana, who created original music inspired by the spirit of Perahu Kertas. The main theme song, “Perahu Kertas,” famously popularized by Maudy Ayunda, serves as the emotional anchor throughout the performance. Other songs such as “Billions of People,” “Two Souls,” “Know Your Place,” and “The Sky Is Beautiful” further deepen each character’s emotional journey. In total, 21 songs strengthen the narrative.
Visually, Musical Perahu Kertas presents a rotating stage concept with layered designs and dynamic visual transitions. Eunike Elisaveta explained that the adaptation process involved deep creative exploration to ensure the emotional essence of the story translated seamlessly onto the musical stage.
Producer of Musical Perahu Kertas and Program Manager of Indonesia Kaya, Billy Gamaliel, emphasized that the production reflects a strong commitment to nurturing and reviving dreams within Indonesia’s performing arts ecosystem.
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