Two more island theater groups – the Honolulu Theatre for Youth and The Actors Group – have finalized their fall stage seasons.
HTY has embraced a title/theme for its 2022-2023 slate of shows: “E Ho‘i Hou: Return Anew,” a celebratory notion following virtual stagings during the height of the pandemic, anticipating “our return to live gatherings with laughter, stories, culture and learning,” according to Eric Johnson, HTY artistic director.
At TAG, five of its six shows will be Hawaiii premieres – newbies are hot here.
Honolulu Theatre for Youth
The HTY slate, at Tenney Theatre:
- “The Royal School,” by Lee Cataluna and Moses Goods.
- “The Pa‘akai We Bring,” by Moses Goods and the HTY Ensemble.
- “In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson,” adapted by Mark Branner, based on the book by Bette Bao Lord, which will tour more than 20 U.S. cities before a staging at Tenney.
- “Step by Step,” by Reiko Ho and the HTY Ensemble.
- “Happy, Sad, Sad, Happy,” by Annie Cusick Wood and the The Ensemble.
- “Peter Pop Pan,” a musical adaption of Peter Pan, by Mattea Mazzella, Eric Johnson and the HTY Ensemble.
Show descriptions, precise performing dates and other details have not yet been announced. For details, visit www.htyweb.org
The Actors Group
TAG shows at the Brad Powell Theatre at the Shops at Dole Cannery will feature fresh and new works; five of the season’s six titles are Hawaii premieres:
- “The God Committee,” by Mark St. Germain, Sept. 23 through Oct. 16. A medical drama about three patients angling to receive a heart transplant, exploring moral and ethical questions surrounding organ transplants.
- “Painting TJ,” by Nancy Moss, Nov. 25 through Dec. 18. A tale about a high school junior, whose mother is the school’s headmaster, painting a penis on a statue of Thomas Jefferson, with themes of racism and familial conflicts.
- “A Soldier’s Play,” by Charles H. Fuller, Jan. 20 through Feb. 12, 2023. A drama set at a Louisiana military base that is racially segregated, where a black soldier is murdered, with tensions of racism.
- “The Demon of the Burning Boy,” by David West Read, March 24 through April 16, 2023. A teacher’s favorite student is murdered, creating conflicted emotions, including the power to move on.
- “Uncle Vanya,” by Anton Chekhov, May 26 through June 18, 2023. A powerful literary classic, about the struggles within a family that is timeless and tormenting.
- “Rotterdam,” by Jon Brittain, July 28 through Aug. 20, 2023. A comedy that raises tough questions about gender, sexuality, love, and how they connect.
Information: (808) 741-4699 or www.taghawaii.net
Honoring dads
Father’s Day – Sunday June 19 — will have a Hawaiian vibe at Chef Chai’s, on Kapiolani Boulevard.
You can do an all-you-can-eat lobster tail buffet at either a brunch or dinner outing.
Kuana Torres Kahele, with the 2000 Miss Aloha Hula winner Tehani Gonzado, headlines the brunch session, with reservations being taken from 9 a.m.to 9:30 a.m. and also from noon to 12:30 p.m.
Robert Cazimero, a monthly Chai’s performer, will reign over the dinner show, with reservations being taken from 4 to 4:30 p.m. and from 7:15 to 7:30 p.m. Cazimero willf feature hula regulars Sky Perkins Gora and Bully Keola Makaiau.
Cost is $125 per person, for the entertainment and special buffet including a gamut of appetizers, soup and salads, plus entree and dessert options.
There is a pre-Father’s Day dinner, on Saturday, June 18, without entertainment, also with a $25 tariff including the lobster tail buffet.
Reservations: (808) 585-0011 or www.chefchai.com …
Clublicity notes
Blue Note Hawaii, at the Outrigger Waikiki resort, features these troupers in the nights ahead:
- Tito Jackson, formerly of the Jackson 5 with his siblings, performs at 6:30 and 9 p.m. May 20 and 21. Tickets: $45 and $55.
- The Honolulu Jazz Quartet, led by John Kolivas, marks its 20th anniversary with a CD release launch, at 7 p.m. May 22. Tickets: $25 and $35.
- Kuana Torres Kahele teams up with Robert Cazimero, for another Hawaiian collaboration, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. June 8. Tickets: $45 and $55.
- Felix Cavaliere, formerly of The Young Rascals (aka The Rascals), takes the stage at 6:30 and 9 p.m. June 10, 11 and 12. Tickets: $45 and $55.
- Who’s Bad 20/10, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. June 17 and 18. Tickets: $35 and $45.
- Beat-Lele, a Tribute to the Beatles, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. June 19. Tickets: $25 and $35.
Tickets: (808) 777-4890 or www.bluenotehawaii.com …
And that’s Show Biz. …
Wayne, Thanks for mentioning Matt Mazzella. I thought his PETER POP PAN was great. But I cannot find a way to reach him. Do you have his contact info or, if you can’t give it out, can you let him know Dr. Tom Cooper is trying to reach him about a job opportunity. My e-mail address is twcooper@comcast.net. I appreciate your very helpful info, Wayne. Thanks a million for it. My best, Tom Cooper