Welcome to Rosana Broadway, Cambodia’s first and only lady boy cabaret show! With show staff consisting of more than 80 dancers this show is sure to dazzle …
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The twice-daily show features a mix of Asian and Western songs making for acts that suit everyone’s taste. Each of the dance routines are beautifully choreographed, styled and executed — enough so that it makes you think it has been taken off Broadway.
Nakia Mongie is one of the stars of Rosana — she has worked for the company since they first started doing shows in Siem Reap. She says that with two shows a day lasting for about 90 minutes each, 365 days a year, performing is no walk in the park. On average they practice for at least four hours a day, perfecting everything from new numbers to different lighting. Despite the long hours and physical work Mongie doesn’t complain about how tough her job is — she sees it as a good opportunity to stay fit and also a chance to meet new people every day. The Rosana also acts as a hub for the lady boy community — Mongie has met many of her closest friends through the show.
There is a surprisingly big LGBTQ (Lesbian-Gay-Bi-Transgendered-Queer) community in Siem Reap but tradition and classic Cambodian culture can make life tough for lady boys. (To clarify, a lady boy is a biological man that identifies as a woman — a label comparable to transgendered in Western countries.) Before Rosana opened in town lady boys in Siem Reap weren’t as widely accepted, were more isolated and were less understood. The show, which was brought to Cambodia from Thailand where lady boy cabarets are more common, has raised the profile of its performers in the community — even making some of them local celebrities. The Khmer lady boys are mentored and trained by their Thai counterparts who are more widely accepted and integrated in Thai society.
The growing popularity of Rosana locally is a vibrant example of modern Cambodian culture and how it continues to develop. A production that represents both traditional and modern dance across Asia, the Rosana is a lively option for an evening out in Siem Reap.
