UCHINAALOHA
WORLD PREMIERE BY LEE A. TONOUCHI
DIRECTED BY REIKO HO
AUGUST 25 - OCTOBER 2, 2016
Charming Tradition vs. Change Comedy
“Da Pidgin Guerilla” Lee A. Tonouchi brings us a warm tale of generations of an Okinawan family in Hawai‘i.
ABOUT
David resists his grandfather’s sanshin lessons until he has the right motivation: a girl. A pretty young lady guest from Okinawa helps David and his friends discover much about themselves and David’s enigmatic grandfather.
Grandfather wants to play music the way it is played in Okinawa, but his grandson wants to combine tradition with more modern methods and the mix of culture found in Hawai‘i.
When the guest from Okinawa arrives, she brings tradition and fresh perspective – teaching the Tamashiros about present-day Okinawa. The grandson learns a new way of playing that honors Okinawan culture.
Featuring a new composition by Jake Shimabukuro!
PERFORMANCE DATES
Thursdays / Fridays / Saturdays at 8 p.m. HST
August 25, 26, 27; September 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 29, 30; October 1, 2016
Sundays at 2 p.m. HST
August 28; September 4, 11, 18; October *2, 2016
(Please note, there will be no performances of UchinaAloha September 22-25; we will host Improvaganza that weekend)
*American Sign Language Interpretation upon request
proud sponsor
A special thanks to our friends at Plato's Closet for donating costumes for this production!
IHULA
WORLD PREMIERE BY RYAN OKINAKA
DIRECTED BY HARRY WONG III
NOVEMBER 3 - DECEMBER 4, 2016
Hālau Family Drama
ABOUT
The art of hula is interwoven into this story about four very different young women. Kumu ʻIwalani is trying her hardest to pass on her love for hula and the knowledge she has learned from her Kūpuna to her students, a task that gets harder to do to with each passing generation. Pono, Kumu’s rebellious granddaughter, has better things to do then give up her nights teaching the keiki class. Jen has “Miss Aloha Hula” dreams. Kanani, the youngest of the group is sick of being called a baby. And finally Pumehana is a passionate dancer hiding in the back line. Can these hula sisters overcome their fears, pride and insecurities in order to discover the true meaning of hula? Or, will this art form be #forgotten?
PERFORMANCE DATES
Thursdays / Fridays / Saturdays at 7 p.m. HST
November 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26; December 1, 2, 3, 2016
Sundays at 2 p.m. HST
November 6, 13, 20, 27; December *4, 2016
*American Sign Language Interpretation upon request
BUFFALO’ED
HAWAIʻI PREMIERE BY JEANNIE BARROGA
DIRECTED BY REB BEAU ALLEN
JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 26, 2017
Drama of Our Forgotten History
ABOUT
The same manifest destiny that absorbed Hawai'i also played a hand in the devastating Philippine War for Independence. Buffalo Soldiers, serving in the US cavalry, were sent to fight against a population more similar to their own - they both yearn for freedom.
Told through the conduit of an inventive range of theatrical tropes, this is a timely story history that needs to be told.
PERFORMANCE DATES
Thursdays / Fridays / Saturdays at 7 p.m. HST
January 26, 27, 28 & February 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 2017
Sundays at 2 p.m. HST
January 29 & February 12, 19, *26, 2017
(No show Super Bowl Sunday, February 5)
*American Sign Language Interpretation upon request
BLACK FAGGOT AND PUZZY
TWO ONE-ACT PLAYS
HAWAIʻI PREMIERE BY VICTOR RODGER AND KIKI
DIRECTED BY TAURIE KINOSHITA AND DONNA BLANCHARD
MARCH 30 - APRIL 30, 2017
Clever and Rancorous Comedies
ABOUT
Through strong male and female voices, these poignant one-act plays allow you to eavesdrop on monologues and scenes that illustrate a broad spectrum of individuals experiencing homosexuality.
In Black Faggot, Victor Rodger, author of My Name is Gary Cooper, introduces us to a chaotic mix of men in the period of self-discovery and celebration of their sexual identity.
Written by Kiki feat. Victor Roger, Puzzy is a coming-of-age story of a young Pacific Island woman, grappling with the reality of her sexuality and the pressure of generations of dogma.
PERFORMANCE DATES
Thursdays / Fridays / Saturdays at 7 p.m. HST
March 30, 31 & April 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 2017
Sundays at 2 p.m. HST
April 2, 9, 23, *30, 2017
(No show Easter Sunday, April 16)
*American Sign Language Interpretation upon request
UNCLE’S REGULARLY SCHEDULED GARAGE PARTY IS CANCELLED TONIGHT!
WORLD PREMIERE BY LEE CATALUNA
DIRECTED BY HARRY WONG III
JUNE 1 - JULY 2, 2017
EXTENDED THROUGH JULY 17!
Neighborhood Comedy
ABOUT
Uncle's regularly scheduled garage party is cancelled for the first time in -- ever! The usual attendees show up and process their shock over the cancellation-- while they eat, drink, talk story and play music. Uncle isn't saying why the party is cancelled, but everyone has a theory: Illness? Financial troubles? Marital discord? Gambling problem? Eviction? Erosion of societal values and loss of culture? Or is Aunty just sick and tired of all their shenanigans?
The old friends spend the evening telling stories, laughing and sharing food. But it’s not a party, because Uncle's regularly scheduled garage party is CANCELLED!
PERFORMANCE DATES
Thursdays / Fridays / Saturdays at 7 p.m. HST
June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 3 & July 1, 2017
Sundays at 2 p.m. HST
June 4, 11, 18, 25 & July *2, 2017
*American Sign Language Interpretation upon request