The stage play Moonlight, a charity production raising funds for cancer treatment, premiered on Saturday night at the Symphony Theatre (SPAC).
Leading actress JessC delivered a fearless performance, fully committing to the emotional and physical demands of the role. On stage, she shares multiple kiss scenes with both the man who loves her, “Li Zi Heng,” played by Marcus Choot, and the man she loves, “Wang Jun Hao,” portrayed by Tylor Chen. The intensity escalates as her character is slapped by both men in different scenes.
One particularly shocking moment unfolds in a hospital scene, where she is struck repeatedly by Li’s mother, played by Joel Lai. During the struggle, the force of the blows sends JessC stumbling into a stage screen, knocking it over and drawing audible gasps from the audience.
A Visual and Emotional Spectacle
Performed entirely in Mandarin with English subtitles, Moonlight was designed to reach a broader, multicultural audience. The production makes extensive use of LED backdrops to transform the stage into a series of evocative settings—from autumn maple landscapes and snowy vistas to seaside starlight, Venetian alleyways, and even Paris’s famed Love Lock Bridge.
These shifting visuals are matched by JessC’s autumn-and-winter-inspired costumes, reinforcing the play’s melancholic tone.
A Coming-of-Age Story Marked by Love and Loss
JessC portrays Xiao Fan, an initially carefree young woman whose life takes a dramatic turn. Caught in a love triangle and later confronted with the truth about her origins, she is forced into emotional maturity almost overnight.
Adapted from a literary work—and notably, with about 70% drawn from JessC’s real-life experiences—the play carries a deeply personal resonance. While the second half of the performance slightly loses pacing, it provides ample room for JessC to explore layered internal conflicts and emotional depth.
Art Imitating Life
JessC has openly shared that she once experienced a similar love triangle in real life. She reflects on that chapter through a line from her own book The JessC Diary:
“The one you love most may not be the one best suited for you. But the one who is truly right for you will eventually become the one you love the most.”
Closing Note
With Moonlight, JessC does more than perform—she exposes vulnerability, relives personal history, and transforms pain into purpose. The result is a production that is not only emotionally stirring but also anchored in a meaningful cause.
Source: China Press
