When do new theater seasons officially start and end? They used to follow the arc of the school year,
roughly September to June, but these days not a month
goes by without a theater production playing
somewhere in the islands.Here's what the major players are up to this year.
In many respects it's a conservative season, filled with
profitable sequels and reprises of earlier hits. There aren't
a lot of experimental, deep dramas. Lots of musicals,
comedies and musicals. Most companies are featuring
at least one of the above, plus works aimed at the
lucrative (and theater-loving) gay audience.By Burl Burlingame
Star-Bulletin
By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Technician Ron Perry, left, and electrician Dawn Oshima
prepare the stage for Diamond Head Theatre's
"The Will Rogers Follies."
DIAMOND HEAD THEATRE
This venerable production company, nestled between Fort Ruger and Kapiolani Community College, is entering its 83rd season. Five shows are planned, as well as holiday specials to be announced later.Address:520 Makapuu Ave., 734-0274
Artistic Director John Rampage, says the theater will continue to focus on classics, both old and new. "If we just do the old, like 'Damn Yankees,' or just the contemporary stuff, like 'Intelligent Life,' it doesn't work. But the combination does. It worked well for us last year, particularly the musicals."
Special showings will be held for the visually impaired and hard-of-hearing community. DHT also has a tradition of behind-the-scenes artistic discussions, held post-show on the second Sunday of a run.
Shows include:
"The Will Rogers Follies," Sept. 19-21, 25-28, Oct. 2-5. The 1991 Tony Award winner for best musical and best musical score. Book by Cy Coleman, music by Peter Stone and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. A good-humored salute to the actor, newspaper columnist and cowboy who served as America's folksy conscience in the '20s and '30s.
"The Search For Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe," Oct. 24-26, 30-31, Nov. 1-2, 6-9. Winner of many awards during Lily Tomlin's solo performance on Broadway, this work by Jane Wagner calls for 17 characters played by one person.
"Nine," Feb. 6-8, 12-15, 19-22. Maury Yeston, the composer of "Phantom," "Grand Hotel" and "Titanic," also scored this meditation on Federico Fellini's classic "8-1/2."
"Blithe Spirit," Mar. 20-22, 26-29, April 2-5. Noel Coward's work on reuniting spirits with mortals.
"Damn Yankees," May 8-10, 14-17, 21-24. Currently enjoying a major-league touring revival on the mainland, this combination of Faust and baseball won several Tony awards in the '50s.
ALL-SINGING, ALL-TALKING,
ALL-DANCINGASATAD continues to offer fairly adult theater, plus productions geared toward formerly ignored segments of the population, such as gay or disabled patrons.
"Our goal, simply, is to remain accessible to the general public, and offer the lowest price and most locations of any local theater," said Managing Artistic Director Gary Anderson.
This year, the All-Singing, All-Talking, All-Dancing troupe will be All-Over-the-Place, as the company presents nine productions at five different locations. ASATAD will even compete against itself in January, offering two (very) different works in different locations.
Shows include:
"Twelve Angry Men," Aug. 29-31, Sept. 5-7, 12-16, 19-21 at Windward Community College Little Theater. Reginald Rose's teleplay turns the jury system into drama.
"Clarence Darrow," Oct. 23-25, 30-31, Nov. 1, 6-8, 13-15 at Church of the Crossroads. Irving Stone's version of the attorney's musings over a front-page legal career that included the Scopes "Monkey Trial."
"The Belle of Amherst," Nov. 28-30 at the Academy of Arts Theater. An encore performance of Diana Carter Anderson's portrayal of Emily Dickinson.
"It's Only a Play," Jan. 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30-31, Feb. 1 at Windward Community College Little Theater. Terrence McNally's parody of easily bruised show-biz sensibilities.
"Infinite Jest," Jan. 9-11, 16-18, 23-24 at Tenney Theater. A musical that concerns 18th-century Anglican priest and novelist Laurence Sterne and his risque characters.
"Snoopy! The Musical," Feb. 12-14, 19-21, 26-28, March 5-7 at Church of the Crossroads. Charles Shultz's cartoons are given three dimensions in a musical comedy by Hal Hackady and Larry Grossman.
"Long Day's Journey Into Night," April 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-26 at Church of the Crossroads. Eugene O'Neill's lonely portrait of his family during a time of psychological stress. Replaces previously announced "Dispatches From Hell."
"Lillian," May 22-24, 29-31, June 5-7, 12-14 at Windward Community College Little Theater. William Luce's portrait of Lillian Hellman, told through her autobiographical writings.
"Assassins," July 10-12, 17-19 at a location to be announced. The twisted, thoroughly American fascination with assassination, turned into a musical by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman.
MANOA VALLEY THEATRE
Located in a graveyard in deepest Manoa, this venue has slowly expanded both its workspace and repertoire over the years, and is today known for its diversified productions. This year they range from musical fables to comedies to deep drama.
"It's been a tough year, but we're going to stay in business," said Producing Director Dwight Martin. "The market has changed radically because there are other entertainment options. There has definitely been a box-office decline, even though our reviews are generally very positive. So it isn't a product problem."
MVT is experimenting with a "lighter bill of fare" this season, said Martin, having "three musicals instead of the traditional two." If some of the material seems vaguely familiar, that's because some of the productions are sequels to popular MVT productions of the past.
Shows include:
"Forbidden Broadway Strikes Back," Sept. 10-14, 17-21, 24-28. Gerard Alessandrini's musical parody of current Broadway megahits is updated.
"A Tuna Christmas," Nov. 26, 28-30, Dec. 2-7, 10-14. Another sequel, in this case Ed Howard, Joe Sears and Jaston Williams' homage to small town life in "Greater Tuna."
"Sylvia," Jan. 14-18, 21-25, 28-31, Feb. 1. A.R. Gurney's comedy about a couple and the dog that adopts them.
"Blood Brothers," March 11-15, 18-22, 25-29. A musical fable about twins brought back together by fate. A musical drama.
"Angels in America Part II: Perestroika," May 13-17, 20-24, 27-31. Tony Kushner's follow-up to his play about friends, social responsibility, justice and homosexuality.
"The World Goes Round," June 24-28, Jul. 1-3, 5, 7-12. Music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb form the framework of a revue about the two songwriters.
ARMY COMMUNITY THEATRE
Located in what had been the military movie theater at Fort Shafter, Army Community Theatre specializes in big-production musicals from Broadway's Golden Age.
ACT honcho Vanita Rae Smith says the theater will continue to concentrate on "classic shows that never go out of style."
Shows include:
"Grease," Sept. 4-6, 11-13, 18-20. The 1970s musical comedy about the 1950s, and it was still playing on Broadway in the 1990s.
"Finian's Rainbow," Nov. 20-22, 26, 28-29, Dec. 4-6. A mix of Irish fantasy and old-world hard-headedness.
"Kismet," Feb. 26-28, Mar. 5-7, 12-14. An Arabian fantasy in which a poor poet suffers from both love and adventures.
"Anything Goes," May 7-9, 14-16, 21-23. Boy meets girl and then complications ensue -- otherwise there'd be no story.
HONOLULU THEATRE FOR YOUTH
HTY is primarily geared as an introduction to theater for Hawaii's schoolkids, and there are limited numbers of showings for adults. Thousands of kids, however, see and enjoy HTY's eclectic mix every year.
This year includes a number of encore productions, which have been staged down so that they can tour schools on the neighbor islands, explained Producing Director Jane Campbell.
"We're also excited about the world premieres of two pieces commissioned by HTY, 'Ka Wai Ula' by Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl and 'Eddie Would Go' by Brian Wake," said Campbell. "Victoria is certainly the leading playwright in Hawaii, and this is Brian's first piece. He did it because (surfer) Eddie Aikau has been his hero forever."
Yes, the theater has permission from the Quiksilver surf company to use the phase "Eddie Would Go," which the company has trademarked.
And Glen Grant has given permission for the use of the title "Chicken Skin," which he has claimed as his own.
Shows include:
"Green Eggs and Ham" and "Gertrude McFuzz," Oct. 18, 25 at Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter. Dr. Seuess' classics with music by Rob Kapilow.
"Chicken Skin," Nov. 1, 8 at Tenney Theatre, St. Andrews' Cathedral. An encore production of Ron Nakahara's 1982 production with some additional stories.
"Theatrefest '97," Nov. 21-22 at Tenney Theatre, St. Andrews' Cathedral. Productions staged from the works of Hawaii's youngest playwrights.
"If You Give a Mouse a Cookie," Nov. 29, Dec. 6 at Tenney Theatre, St. Andrews' Cathedral. An encore production of HTY's 1995 hit about the domino theory of feeding animals.
"Ka Wai Ola: The Living Water," Jan. 24, 31 at Leeward Community College Theatre. Kneubuhl's parable about the ownership of water, played out between generations.
"Raven's Voice Theater," Feb. 21, 28 at Leeward Community College Theatre. Stories from Southwest Alaska portrayed by the touring Naa Kahidi Theater.
"Eddie Would Go," March 14, 21 at Leeward Community College Theatre. Wake's meditation on the life of legendary surfer Eddie Aikau.
"Al's Pal," April 25, May 2 at McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Park. This one is for the preschoolers, a one-man show about a lonely fellow and his new friend -- a worm!
"Peacemaker," May 2, 9 at McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Park. A British-written fable about the conflict between the Red people and the Blue people, and we don't mean Apple vs. IBM.
Kennedy Theatre
The players in "Blue Bird Rhapsody"
search for their identities.
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
The Kennedy Theatre at the University of Hawaii-Manoa is actually three theaters in one -- a "Mainstage" for large works, "Prime Time" at the Ernst Lab Theatre for more offbeat productions and "Late Night" at the Ernst Lab Theatre for more experimental works.
Starting this year, Kennedy Theatre is holding "Post-Show Raps" among audience, director and cast following Friday evening performances in the Lab Theatre.
"We're trying for longer productions this year -- three weeks instead of two weeks," said Marty Myers, UH theater manager.
Those on the Main stage
include two "local" works, the standard UH edition of a classic Asian opera and "ending, as
we always do, with a dance concert. This year, it'll include Nijinsky's 'Rite of Spring,' in the original 1912 costumes and choreography."
Shows include:
"Blue Bird Rhapsody," Sept. 3-7 in the Ernst Lab Theatre. Japanese female office workers seek happiness through dance.
"The Devil and Billy Markham," Sept. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18 in the Ernst Lab Theatre. Shel Silverstein's raunchy fable is handled by five different directors.
"Bye Bye, Hana Buttah Days," Oct. 4-5, 9-12, 16-19 at Kennedy Theatre. A re-working of a popular student-written work from the early '90s about life in intermediate school.
"Fall Footholds," Nov. 5-9 in the Ernst Lab Theatre. A showcase of the best in student choreography.
"Da Taming of Da Shrew," Nov. 21-23, 28-29, Dec. 4-7, at Kennedy Theatre. Written by "Willy" Shakespeare, this is a localized version of a classic comedy.
"Mohala Ka Leua," Nov. 22, 28-29, Dec. 5-6 in the Ernst Lab Theatre. A world premiere of an English-language play about pre-contact Hawaii.
"Silang Tan Mu -- Love and Loyalty," Feb. 6-8, 12-14, 18-22 at Kennedy Theatre. The fruit of an intensive six-month training by Chinese opera masters, this Beijing Opera concerns the conflicts of duty and culture for a Mongol family.
"Spring Footholds," Feb. 25-28, Mar. 1 in the Ernst Lab Theatre. A showcase of the best in student choreography.
"The Waiting Room," Mar. 11-15 in the Ernst Lab Theatre. A thesis production by Lisa Loomer dealing with a sharply drawn look at women and health care.
"The Maids," Apr. 1-5 in the Ernst Lab Theatre. A kind of cross-gender "Upstairs Downstairs" examination of social structures.
"The Spring Dance Concert: Creature Feature!," Apr. 17-19, 24-26 at Kennedy Theatre. A family-oriented concert featuring dance works about animals, it includes giant puppets and bizarre masks.
"Kaspar," May 6-10 in the Ernst Lab Theatre. Peter Handke's meditation on the power and destructiveness of language.
Kumu Kahua
Lisa Ann Omoto and Daryl Bonilla are a couple
in conflict in "Eating Chicken Feet."
KUMU KAHUA
This theater group, now at home in the refurbished Kamehameha V post office in downtown Honolulu, continues its tradition of showcasing works that reflect the Hawaii experience.
As new Artistic Director Harry Wong III pointed out, "David Mamet says that the joy in literature is the joy of recognition, the connection between yourself and the characters. Many plays are entertaining, but the people in them don't speak the way you do, or deal with life the way you do."
This goal of producing all-Hawaii works will result in five Hawaii premieres -- and four world premieres -- this season.
"Our audience is everyone in Hawaii, and anyone who visits Hawaii. Frankly, most theatre is foreign. It's high art, removed from the people. We're doing plays for the average person."
Shows include:
"Eating Chicken Feet," Sept. 4-7, 13-14, 19-21, 25-28, Oct. 2-5. A comedy of cultural tides in a Chinese-American family, written by Kitty Chen and directed by Kati Kuroda.
"Kamau A'e," Nov. 6-9, 14-16, 21-23, 28-30, Dec. 4-7. The second part of Alani Apo's trilogy about a Hawaiian family's reclamation of land and heritage.
"Comfort Woman," Jan. 8-11, 16-18, 23-24, 29-31, Feb. 1, 5-8. Nora Okja Keller's acclaimed novel about a Korean mother and her American daughter is adapted by John H.Y. Wat and Keith Kashiwada.
"Easy Street," March 5-8, 13-15, 20-22, 26-29, April 2-5. Darryl Tsutsui's wily comedy about an insurance scam pulled off in the wake of Hurricane Iniki won a Kumu Kahua/University of Hawaii playwriting contest.
"Way of a God," April 30, May 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 21-24, 28-31. After years of running Kumu Kahua, Dennis Carroll finally offers his own work, a look at the dilemmas faced by Capt. Cook and his men and the Hawaiian people.
