Tisha Love as the witch challenges Kawika (Chris Luke) to imagine scary or evil things in "Imagination - The Musical."

This charming new production is perfect family entertainment - colorful, fast-moving, substantial. Director/choreographer Dustin Sparks includes some drama along with the song and dance, but maintains a positive nonthreatening mood (Remember the scene in "The Lion King" where the father lion was murdered by the evil uncle? There's nothing like that to traumatize kids here). Kids will enjoy; parents won't be bored.

The show also delivers an important and all-too-necessary message: Put down the video games, kids, and use your imaginations!

Kawika (Chris Luke) gets that message loud and clear from the magical Imagineer (Dion Donahue). The boy is surprised to learn that everyone around him has an active imagination. His little sister (Mariah Seneca) imagines her beloved cat starring in a carnivores' cabaret; his aunty (Mea Juliette Moon) that the flowers in her garden sing and dance.

OK, Kawika, your turn! Despite initial protestations that he doesn't have an imagination, Kawika manages to visualize a crew of comical pirates.

Imagine something else, the Imagineer challenges. Kawika does better in imagining a quartet of native-American kachinas from outer space dancing in the South American jungle. Things darken a bit when a witch (Tisha Love) dares him to imagine scary or evil things; a large and very impressive dragon (operated by Gary Masuoka) becomes the centerpiece of one of the most dramatic sequences. Kawika confronts the witch by remembering that he is master of his own imagination.

Donahue earned rave reviews as Reuben in Diamond Head Threatre's production of "Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." He is restrained yet engaging in the much more structured role of the Imagineer and becomes a friend any imaginative child would welcome.

Luke is an impressive discovery and delivers a thoroughly professional performance in his first major role. He sings well and does a very creditable job in a role with which many guys his age would have problems. Luke looks destined for big things.

Most cast members are masked during their big numbers. Seneca is an exception; she is absolutely radiant as the kid sister. Aiko Schick stands out as a singing/dancing flower; the multitalented Schick was added to the cast only days before it opened and will likely be seen in other roles during the run.

Jade Anguay is delightfully seductive - in an appropriately G-rated way - as the feline star of the Cool Cat Club. She makes "Bright Eyed N' Bushy Tailed" a show-stopping musical number.

Mahi'ai Kekumu (Bad Dog) is well cast as her dynamic male partner. He shifts personnas smoothly when he joins Randall Hubbard, Alan K. Kaye and J. Sterling Sulieman for smoothly synchronized ensemble work as the bumbling pirates. Zoey Anguay, Anea Carreira, Jennifer Kakuno and Briana Masu are the striking, silvery kachinas.

Director/choreographer Sparks deserves Po'okela Awards in both categories. So do the other members of the production team. Kyle Kakuno's script is concise yet substantial. Composer/musical director Roslyn Freitas has written her best theatrical music ever; Arranger/sequencer David Kauahikaua distinguishes himself as the other half of the musical team. Angela Angel (costumes), Joe Dodd (scenic Design) and Stephen Clear (lighting) likewise merit Po'okela Awards for their work - sets, costumes, sound and lighting surpass those of some local theatre companies.

Problems observed on opening night won't dampen kids' spirits. Jade Anguay's number and the accompanying choreography injects the Cool Cat Club segment with so much energy and excitement that it overshadows the whimsical visit to Auntie's flower garden that follows

Another problematic moment is the confrontation between Imagineer and the Witch. The two loudly sing different lyrics simultaneously and create an unintelligible cacophony. Most kids will probably be too involved in Kawika's adventures to notice.

Ala Moana Center may not the mall closest to where you live, but "Imagination - The Musical" is well worth a Saturday evening drive, and at least one return visit.

What: "Imagination - The Musical"
When: 7 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays through November
Where: Ala Moana Center Centerstage
Cost: Free
Call: 946-2811