SINGAPORE — Audiences in Singapore are familiar with tribute shows – where performers impersonate some of the biggest names in pop music, including The Beatles, Queen, Abba and even Teresa Teng.

But the Teresa The Musical, which ends its run at the Kallang Theatre tonight (Jan 23), is another kettle of fish altogether.

Theatre performer Perry Chiu, best known in Hong Kong for her edgy performances, not only breathes new life into Teng’s music, but also does a theatrical narrative of the famed singer’s life. All set to the backdrop of memorable tracks by Teng, of course.

The founder of the Perry Chiu Experimental Theatre, who called Teng “sweet and gentle”, said that she admired the late singer for being “very bold and forward-looking”.

Unlike many tribute shows, which simply celebrate the music of the artiste in question, Teresa The Musical, which took renowned Chinese writer Sha Yexin seven years to complete, tells the untold story of Teng, the challenges she faced, as well as her relationships with actor Jackie Chan, Malaysian businessman Beau Kuok and a French boyfriend. In fact, Chiu almost makes it a point – albeit not so in your face – to indicate how unconventional the late singer was.

While Chiu only bears a passing resemblance to Teng, which can be a little bit of a distraction to some, her voice does evoke memories of the celebrated pop star, whose song, The Moon Represents My Heart, has become synonymous with her name.

To research for her role, Chiu also watched videos of Teng’s interviews and performances, and read various accounts of the star, who passed away in 1995.

It’s not standard fare as a tribute show – nor as a full-fledge Broadway-esque musical, come to think of it – but then again, if Chiu’s retelling of Teng’s story is anything to go by, neither was Teng’s life.

Teresa The Musical is on tonight (Jan 23), 8pm at the Kallang Theatre. Tickets from SISTIC.