Honolulu Theatre for Youth announces its 2013-14 season, comprised of seven delightful “Tales of Transformation”—six of them world premieres.
The 59th season kicks off in August with the K-Pop inspired Korean Cinderella. Just in time for the fall makahiki season, Lono’s Journey honors one of the most important Hawaiian stories. In November and December, playwright Y. York’s acclaimed Nothing is the Same is back for a command performance with the tale of four 11-year-old friends on the day Pearl Harbor was bombed, then Auntie Martha and the Nene (Goose) rings in the New Year with a funny, touching story of an old lady who thinks she’s just fine all alone. Peter Rabbit and the Garden, a local-style adaptation based on the feisty furry garden pest, is presented in February for our youngest theatre patrons; also in February is the world premiere of Yokanaan Kearns’s Icarus Fights the Minotaur. The season wraps with Grinds: The Story of Food in Hawaii, about Hawaii’s favorite subject: food! (Details follow.)
Artistic Director Eric Johnson said, “As we approach our 60th anniversary we are delighted to continue to produce the highest quality professional theatre and drama education programs for the families of Hawaii. All of the stories this season feature the amazing ability we have as humans to change. Whether finding personal strength and resilience to difficult situations or enjoying the magical transformations of fairy tales, we believe that young people and their families will find valuable examples of how to exist in a world filled with shifting landscapes and a multitude of possibilities.”
Season tickets for the entire 7-show season are $125 for adults (age 18-59), $60 for youth (17 and under) and $75 for seniors (60+), and are on sale now. (Various selected show mini-season tickets also available.) Single tickets are $20, $10 and $15, respectively. For more information, to receive a season brochure, order tickets to a show or learn more about HTY’s educational programming call HTY at 839-9885. Tickets may also be ordered online at www.htyweb.org.
Honolulu Theatre for Youth is Hawaii’s non-profit professional theatre company providing theatre and drama education programs that make a difference in the lives of Hawaii’s young people and families. Founded in 1955, HTY is recognized the world over as one of America’s most honored theatres.
HONOLULU THEATRE FOR YOUTH’S 59th SEASON
AUGUST 2013 – MAY 2014
All shows to be performed at Tenney Theatre, The Cathedral of St. Andrew
A Korean Cinderella
by Alvin Chan
Opening Friday, Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays, Aug. 24 – Sept. 21 at 4:30 p.m.
Onstage Workshop, Sept. 7 at 2:30 p.m.
American Sign Language-interpreted (ASL), Sept. 14 at 4:30 p.m.
Recommended for ages 5+
As the beautiful and kind Konji reaches out for help in overcoming the bullying of her wicked step mother and sister, a magical turtle, ox and even a dancing Prince come to her aid, but are they enough? This new telling of the Cinderella story mixes modern K-pop with traditional Korean drumming, dance and costumes to create a ball like nothing you have seen before. World premiere.
Lono’s Journey
Created by the HTY Company in collaboration with the Culture Education staff of the Bishop Museum
Opening Friday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays, Oct. 26 – Nov. 9 at 4:30 p.m.
Onstage Workshop, Nov. 2 at 2:30 p.m.
American Sign Language-interpreted (ASL), Nov. 9 at 4:30 p.m.
Recommended for ages 5+
Lonoikamakahiki! We celebrate the beginning of the Hawaiian New Year by bringing new life to old artifacts through storytelling. This age-appropriate performance incorporates Hawaiian language, music, dance, sport, and puppetry, inviting audiences to join one of Hawaii’s most important figures on a journey around the islands to find his better self. World premiere.
Nothing is the Same
By Y. York
Opening Friday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays, Nov. 30 at 4:30 p.m.; Dec. 7 at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 14 at 4:30 p.m.
Onstage Workshop, Dec. 7 at 2:30 p.m.
American Sign Language-interpreted (ASL), Dec. 14 at 4:30 p.m.
Recommended for ages 8+
On December 7, 1941 the lives of four 11 year-olds living on Oahu are changed forever when Japanese planes, on their way to Pearl Harbor, bomb their small town. Through comedy and drama award winning playwright Y. York explores what friendship means when everything in one’s world is turned upside down.
2014
Auntie Martha and the Nene (Goose)
By Annie Wood Cusick, Gil Robertson and Jay Manley
Opening Friday, Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays, Jan. 11 – Feb.1 at 4:30 p.m.
Onstage Workshop, Jan. 25 at 2:30 p.m.
American Sign Language-interpreted (ASL), Feb. 1 at 4:30 p.m.
Auntie Martha lives alone by the beach and she doesn’t need anyone. One day, an unexpected visit from a goose changes her life forever. Created by Annie Wood Cusick, the director responsible for HTY’s BLUE, this show about friendship is filled with humor, hope and compassion. World premiere.
Peter Rabbit and the Garden
Created by the HTY Company
Saturdays, Feb. 22 – Mar. 8 at 9:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.
American Sign Language-interpreted (ASL), Mar. 1 at 9:30 a.m.
Recommended for ages 3+
Peter Rabbit loves veggies more than anything, but can this impulsive rabbit learn some manners before he gets into big trouble? This interactive version of the Peter Rabbit story explores the fine line between curiosity and responsibility. Built specifically for our youngest audiences, the play is designed to appeal to a preschool audience. World premiere.
Icarus Fights the Minotaur
By Yokanaan Kearns
Opening Friday, Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays, Feb. 22 – Mar. 8 at 4:30 p.m.
American Sign Language-interpreted (ASL), Mar. 1 at 4:30 p.m.
Recommended for ages 8+
Surprises abound when one of HTY’s most popular playwrights riffs on the most famous Greek myth. What if what you’ve heard about Icarus disobeying his father at his own peril isn’t the whole story? What if before Icarus can even take up wings he must face a labyrinth, a monster, and, scariest of all, becoming a man? World premiere.
Grinds: The Story of Food in Hawaii
Created by the HTY Company
Opening Friday, Apr. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays, Apr. 5 – May 10 at 4:30 p.m.
Onstage Workshop, April 19 at 2:30 p.m.
American Sign Language-interpreted (ASL), Apr. 26 at 4:30 p.m.
Recommended for ages 5+
Why do we eat what we eat? Where do we grow what we eat? Why does that even matter? This musical romp through Hawaii’s favorite subject mixes humor, history and science to explore our community’s relationship with food. Built through extensive conversations with local farmers, chefs and grandmothers, this is essential viewing for anyone who eats. World premiere.