Imagination is the operative word of “Imagine,” the I’m a Bright Kid Foundation’s three-day limited run special, which opened last night (July 26) to a full house and continues today (July 27) through Sunday (July 28) at Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College.
Belief is the fuel that keeps the cast going.
Go see it. You’ll adore and applaud the happy faces as they go through their snappy paces. There’s no other inspirational show like this on the planet.
“Imagine” is the culmination of a five-week IABK summer musical theater program where these 40-plus island youngsters learned the skills of acting, dancing, and teamwork, in the spirit and template of the late Ron Bright, a seasoned director and educator, who has inspired scores of Hawaii actors to take this brand of imagination to Broadway and beyond.
Led by savvy directors and mentors, the youngsters – divided into teams bearing floral names (Lehua Group, Maile Group, Pikake Group) – sing and dance their hearts out in a productive hour of 12 segments that ultimately advance their souls to an imaginary Orchid Group.
The horticultural theme works, in that seeds are planted when the girls and boys enroll in the summer showcase program, where they are nurtured and fertilized so they sprout and bloom into bona-fide flowers in this garden of creativity.
The entire corps participate in the opening number, “Pure Imagination,” and also in the finale, “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” and in-between, they strut their stuff in a variety of schemes. Hip-hop, pop-rock, vocalizing while dancing in circles or lines. Perpetual motion and energy.
Particularly effective:
- “The Rainbow Connection,” the song from “Sesame Street,” featuring the Lehua sector, notably perfect since it represents the diverse rainbow of faces reflecting Hawaii’s multi-cultural population. Soloists: Aria Koboyama, Bliss Tengan, Alana French, Noah Akagi, Kiana Cameros, Kira Witlarge, Andi Trowbridge, Brooklyn Koki, Blayke Sumida, Knox Omo, Bailey Fujita.
- “How Far I’ll Go,” the hit song from Disney’s animated “Moana” film, which reflects the unbridled potential of setting and reaching goals. Soloists: Alex Kimura, Kiana Cameros, Brooklyn Koki, Bailey Fujita, Jaron Riegel, Kayla Reis, Zoe Naso, Mila Hamm, with Aria Zych and Kimi Lum Kee enacting a hula.
- “What’s Going On,” the Marvin Gaye hit, which is a stunning and expression of internal feelings with themes like love conquering hate. Soloists: Kamakea Wright and Tobi Tengan.
- “Imagine,” the immortal John Lennon anthem about dreams, peace and brotherhood, which is rendered by the entire cast. Soul-moving, heart-tugging.
No show can exist without the vision and creativity of its director, so David James Boyd, who is artistic director of “Imagine,” brings New York creds to the program. He is a Teaching Artist at Lincoln Center and also is associated with Queens Theatre. A long-time ally of the late Jade Stice, he admits his IABK role is an extension and expansion of her dreams and belief in IABK because she started her theatrical roots as a student of Mr. B. They’ve been buds for years.
Similarly, Allan Lau, IABK president, began his journey in theater with Bright, and Stice was his collaborator in the summer showcase until her unexpected death in June. Lau also serves as IABK program director, a summer project beyond his normal teaching job.
Clearly, Stice has been an angel overlooking the production from afar and above. You can imagine and discover her fingerprints throughout the show.
A long list of other creators was involved in “Imagine,” as vocal and music directors, choreographers, guest teachers and speakers, and other tech folks, from lights, sound, set design and more. Some are paid for their services, others are volunteers.
They all subscribe to Mr. B’s mantra: believe…
And that’s Show Biz…
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‘Imagine’
What: An original musical by the I’m a Bright Kid Foundation, featuring a student cast from a summertime program on musical theater
Where: Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College
When: 2 and 7 p.m. today (July 27) and 2 p.m. tomorrow (July 28).
Tickets: $24 for adults, $19 for seniors over 65, youths 12-17, military with ID; $14, youths 6 to 11, at www.imabrightkid.org, (802) 395-1695 or https://cur8.com/schedule/item/24380/226586?event=85196&date=226586