Set late in the 15th Century, the musical tells the tale of Gusti Putri, a princess of Majapahit who falls in love with the Malaccan warrior Hang Tuah.

When Sultan Mahmud learns that Gusti Putri is on Gunung Ledang, he sends Tuah as his delegate to formally present his proposal of marriage to her.

The lovers are reunited on Gunung Ledang, but Gusti Putri is disappointed to learn that Hang Tuah has sought her out on behalf of his king.

Before Sultan Mahmud can kill his own son, Gusti Putri stops him, declaring that the conditions were a rejection and all she wants is to live on Gunung Ledang in peace.

The stupas were inspired by the "Pintu Gerbang", the oldest remains of Majapahit civilisation that consist of two large pillars on either side of a gateway.

Tiara Jacquelina and Adlin Aman Ramlie, who had portrayed Gusti Putri and Sultan Mahmud in the film, were quickly signed on to reprise their roles in the stage version.

For the other lead role of Hang Tuah, established actor and singer M. Nasir, who had portrayed the character in the film, could not commit to the musical due to other projects.

Eventually, Stephen Rahman-Hughes, a Malaysian-born West End actor was chosen on the recommendations of TV3 chairman Farid Ridzuwan CEO of TV station and Kavita Kaur to the production team.

The original concept of the Puteri Gunung Ledang, as pitched by Mamat Khalid, was to pose the question of what would happen if these two characters had met and fallen in love.

In contrast, the stage musical followed the precedent set by the film by making the Princess a mortal human being, and uses the unique creation of the love affair between her and Tuah as the reason she decides to live on Mount Ledang.

Due to the romantic nature of the reinterpreted story, the finale was made bittersweet, with Sultan Mahmud cursing the Princess to live forever on Mount Ledang alone.

The Puteri Gunung Ledang film acknowledges the existence of Tun Teja, who in that version is already Sultan Mahmud's wife and the mother of the crown prince Raja Ahmad.

The second season ran at the same venue from August 6 to 21, 2006, and featured supporting cast replacements, slight changes in the set-up and dialogue along with more sophisticated props.

The musical had an international run when it was performed in Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, Singapore from November 24 to 26, 2006 in conjunction with Pesta Raya (Malay Festival of Arts).

A special performance of the musical was staged in April 2008 to celebrate the opening of the East Ledang resort in Nusajaya, Johor.

Main cast Director and writer Zahim Albakri was influenced by the musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein, opting for "rousing numbers, a full chorus performing lavish song and dance spectacles, and colourful costumes and props".