Cai luong artist Thanh Thanh Tam, 63, is staging her first liveshow, "Tu Tinh Que Huong", in late march at the Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong Theater in TP HCM. This marks a significant return after a 14-year absence in the US. The artist admits to deliberating for three years, initially fearing she had "lost her touch" and battling health issues like a herniated disc and memory challenges.
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Artist Thanh Thanh Tam at 63. Photo: Courtesy of the artist. |
Her biggest hurdles are health and age. She has suffered from a herniated disc for years, causing constant pain. "My memory isn't what it used to be, which somewhat affects learning new scripts," she shared. Despite this, she is dedicating herself to reviving her iconic roles. For nearly one month, she has practiced "day and night" to refine her singing, acting, dancing, and breath control.
The decision to return was spurred by encouragement from colleagues, notably singer Quang Thanh. Though living far apart in the US, they regularly discussed cai luong's golden era. Quang Thanh urged her to perform in Vietnam, believing her homeland audience awaited her return. He also connected her with a digital content unit for partial funding. She views the show as a reunion with fans, opting for the larger Tran Huu Trang Theater over Idecaf for the event.
For the performance, she selected works significant to her career. Quang Thanh, the program's scriptwriter, penned "Tu Tinh Que Huong" to reflect an artist's feelings abroad. The segment "Tam Su Ngoc Han" honors playwright Le Duy Hanh. She will collaborate with younger artists Vo Minh Lam and Tu Suong for "Truyen Thuyet Tinh Yeu". With "Hon Vong Phu", she aims to evoke memories of her famous 1990s stage partnership with Vu Linh.
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Artist Thanh Thanh Tam with Vu Linh - "the King of Ho Quang". Photo: Courtesy of the artist. |
The performance also marks the launch of Thanh Thanh Tam's eponymous YouTube channel. She plans to post videos about her craft, experiences, and colleague memories. It will host: don ca tai tu programs and thematic discussions on cai luong, where Thanh Thanh Tam will perform and analyze key roles. She hopes this platform preserves cai luong stage memories and introduces traditional music to young audiences.
Born Nguyen Thi Thanh Thanh in 1963, Thanh Thanh Tam is the daughter of artists Nam Hung and Thanh Thanh Hoa. She won the inaugural Tran Huu Trang gold medal in 1991, alongside prominent artists: Vu Linh, Phuong Hong Thuy, Thanh Hang, Tai Linh, and Ngoc Huyen. Her sweet singing and acting brought her fame in plays like "Dem Phan Xet" and "Kieu Nguyet Nga". Her partnership with Vu Linh made them a celebrated "stage lovebirds" duo. After her 2012 divorce, she moved to the US, finding strength in her children: a daughter in information science and a son studying nursing. In 2023, she judged the Ut Trong traditional music talent competition.
Mai Nhat
