The Honolulu Theatre for Youth, celebrating 70 years of producing shows for island youngsters and their families, will present five world premieres and a selection of popular HTY-commissioned Hawaii tales in its 2024-25 season starting this August.
The slate includes:
- “Winnie the Pooh and Bunraku Too,” Aug. 25, Sept. 1 and 14 — An adaptation of A.A. Milneʻs classic book performed using Bunraku, a Japanese puppet theatre that dates back to the 17th century. Original music, theatrical magic and audience interaction bring new life to the children’s classic.
- “The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac,” Sept. 29 and Oct. 5 –A play by Reiko Ho, celebrating Chinese New Year and the Chinese Zodiac animals, in a Great Race that explores the folklore traditions augmented by Chinese music, Jijgiu and martial arts. A Neighbor Island tour will follow the Tenney Theatre residency.
- “Pā Ka Makani,” Oct. 13, 20 and 26 – A play by Lokomaikaʻi Lipscomb and Annie Cusick Wood, exploring what the wind means here in Hawaii and beyond. A fresh breeze in storytelling, and a fusion of hula, oli and science.
- “Forest Flutters: A Bird-Day Party,”Nov. 10 and 16 — An interactive show about native birds by Danica Rosegren and the HTY Ensemble. A glimpse of forestry resonating with a symphony of birds who inhabit the greenery, an environment rich with smells, touch, movement and music. A collaboration with Capitol Modern, formerly The Hawaii State Art Museum.
- “Christmas Talk Story,” Dec. 8, 15 and 21 – Featuring a new collection of songs and tales by local writers and the HTY Ensemble, celebrating the joys of the holiday season. HTY is accepting submissions of new material from the community; visit www.htyweb.org.
- “The Musubi Man,” Jan. 18 and 26 –An island interpretation of the ‘Gingerbread Man,’ by Lee Cataluna, adapted from the beloved book by local author Sandi Takayama. A popular interactive production geared to the very young (2+) audience and a wonderful introduction to literature.
- “The Paʻakai We Bring,” Feb. 9 and 15 – A play by Moses Goods and the HTY Ensemble, which exposes young audiences to Native Hawaiian ideas of balance and healing by exploring our relationship to pa‘akai (salt). Traditionally, pa‘akai is food, medicine, and sacrament, essential to individual, communal, and environmental well-being. Through stories, songs, laughter, and audience participation, the ensemble joyously celebrates ancient and modern ways to restore and maintain balance.
- “Too Many Mangos and OtherStories,” March 30, April 6, 13 and 26 – A world premiere of an original musical, adapted from the book by Tammy Pail. Kama and Nani learn valuable lessons from their grandpa about generosity and kindness, teaches what it means to bring aloha to your family and your neighbors.
- “Joseph Kekuku and the Voice of the Steel Guitar,” May 11, 18 and 25 – A world premiere of a play by Moses Goods and Noa Gardner, in collaboration with Kealakai Center for Pacific Strings. The tale, circa 1889, focuses on a student at Kamehameha Schools who fabricated a steel bar in the school’s machine shop, slid it across the strings of his guitar and changed the sound and shape of the instrument forever. The grandson of a royal chanter, Joseph Kekuku played his steel guitar for royalty in Hawai‘i and across Europe, inspiring musicians around the world with the new “Hawaiian Sound.”
The five HTY premieres are “Winnie the Pooh,” “Pa Ka Makani,” “Forest Flutters,” “Too Many Mangos,” and “Joseph Kekuku.” The other shows are HTY-commissioned productions.
All performances will be at Tenney Theatre, at Saint Andrews Cathedral. Curtain time is 4 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Dates listed here are public performances; HTY also stages matinees attended by island students.
Individual tickets: $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and military, $15 for students and children . Family and patron membership plans available, which includes multiple tickets based on monthly plans. Information: www.htyweb.org.
Rozmiarek play at TAG
“Jake: The Yellow Bench,” a funny and touching play by Joseph T. Rozmiarek, will receive its world premiere May 24 to June 9 at The Actors’ Group’s Brad Powell Theatre at Dole Cannery in Iwilei.
The play is a humorous and knotty depiction of how we navigate through the daily routines of city life, focusing on an elderly man who invites a homeless student to live in his apartment. Rozmiarek’s storytelling skills explores the layers of intrigue and dynamics of their unusual relationship, with support of mood-setting music.
Betty Burdick is directing.
Rozmiarek is a former drama critic-reviewer for the Honolulu Advertiser.
Information: www.taghawaii.net or (808) 741-4699 or (808) 722-6941.
And that’s Show Biz….