Lovey Lee

OUR PRODUCTIONS ARE SPONSORED IN PART BY THE FOLLOWING:

Kumu Kahua productions are supported in part by The Kim Coco Fund for Justice of the Iwamoto Family Foundation, the NME Fund of the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, the Island Insurance Foundation, The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, through appropriations from the Legislature of the State of Hawaiʻi, The AAPI Community Fund, The Richard Aadland Fund, The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, The John R. Halligan Charitable Fund, Spectrum/Charter Communications, ABC Stores, the Gloria Kosasa Gainsley Fund, Hawaiʻi Public Radio, H. Hawaii Media, Simply Storage, Vacations Hawaiʻi, Zippy’s Restaurants, Highway Inn, Generations Magazine, CVS/Longs Drugs, HMSA, Hawaiian Electric, MonkeyPod, and other foundations, businesses, and loyal patrons.

MOSES GOODS,
PLAYWRIGHT

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

Moses Goods has an extensive history of experience on stages in Hawaiʻi and abroad. He has written and performed in My Name is ʻŌpūkahaʻia (HMH), Duke, Paniolo: Stories and Songs of the Hawaiian Cowboy, and Kinolau, all commissioned and produced by HTY. He has been invited as a featured storyteller at international festivals such as National Museum of the American Indian: Hawaiʻi Festival, Talking Stick Festival, Festival Polynesia, Association of African American Museums, and Festival of Pacific Arts.

Moses currently serves as a board member for the Network of Ensemble Theaters and the Consortium of Asian American Theaters & Artists. He studied in the MA program of UHM Department of Theatre & Dance. His performance work for KKT has included roles in Keith Kashiwada and John Wat’s adaptation of Lois Ann Yamanaka’s Heads by Harry, Alan Sutterfield’s King Kalākaua’s Poker Game, Sean T.C. O’Malley’s To the Last Hawaiian Soldier and Lee Tonouchi’s Gone Feeshing.

PLAYWRIGHT'S NOTES

LOVEY LEE is my first attempt at writing a Superhero origin story. The play is based on the life of a real person, someone who is very dear to me and a personal hero of mine. About ten years ago, House Bill 444 was about to be passed in the senate which would legalize civil unions between gay couples. It was of course, however, met with resistance from those who opposed the bill’s content. This was a time for the fighters to stand their ground and show their true colors, literally. I had tuned in to the evening news that night to watch the coverage of the rallies and testimonies and then, I saw it. It was a kukui nut lei, but not one that you would ordinarily see. Each seed on this lei was a different color of the rainbow. I’d seen this very lei before, but only on certain occasions. It had swung from the neck of its wearer during times of solidarity, celebration, and love or in moments of just pure unadulterated GAYNESS!!! In that particular moment however, the rainbow kukui nut lei had become a suit of vibranium, a magic hammer and a pouch full of the most potent fairy-glitter-stardust imaginable! Its wearer stood up in front of the court and opponents of the bill and, as though he were drawing power from that rainbow lei, spoke his testimony with the kind of authority that only comes from years of standing up for what you believe in. I had already known him for several years prior and had developed a deep respect, admiration, and love for him, but something about seeing him on that television screen changed something in me. He stood there, for all the world to see, with his hip pushed out to one side, with his wrists bent and with his hair long and flowy, qualities that we’re taught not to associate with being a man. In that moment however, the definition of a man was re-written for me and for the first time in my life I had a gay role model to look up to, one who just happened to have and incredible backstory!

LOVEY LEE is the story of how that rainbow kukui nut lei got its power. Although parts have been altered, names have been changed and characters have been added, this play is my tribute and gift to someone who has become an important part of my journey. Kealoha “Lovey Lee” Kelekolio, may this play imbue your rainbow kukui nut lei with just a little more magic.

REIKO HO,
DIRECTOR

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Reiko Ho  is an accomplished director and multi-disciplinary theatre maker from Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, who loves telling stories that reflect the diverse voices of her island home. Her work has been seen throughout Hawaiʻi as well as nationally. 

Last season, her show The Carp Who Would Not Quit, that she wrote and directed for Honolulu Theatre For Youth (HTY), completed a statewide tour of Hawaiʻi, then toured to 14 venues across the country and closed it's run as part of the season at the acclaimed Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis.  Also, last season, she traveled to Florida to direct Cry It Out for The Studio Theatre Tierra Del Sol. Reiko finished the 2023-24 season with the world premiere of her latest work, The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac which she wrote and directed for Honolulu Theatre For Youth.  The Great Race was a 2024 recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Reiko is currently Artistic Associate for Honolulu Theatre for Youth, a member of The Consortium of Asian American Theaters & Artists (CAATA), and on the Board of Directors for TYA/USA, the leading national organization for professionals in the field of Theatre for Young Audiences.

Reiko is delighted to be back "home" at Kumu Kahua.

DIRECTOR'S NOTES

This show is based on the real-life story of an amazing human. It is also a beautiful and sometimes heartbreaking queer story. 

The play, by my dear friend Moses Goods, is set in the 1970s, a time of reclamation and discovery in Hawaiʻi and centers around main character, Lovey Lee, who is a young, queer Hawaiian looking for the meaning of “home” and "family." It is an exploration of māhū culture in Hawaiʻi. The story is powerful, sometimes dark, filled with the passion of the era, and at times, hard to bear witness to– a story that I have never seen depicted on stage before. I feel very grateful to be part of bringing it to life.

It has been a great honor to be in the room with this amazing cast and production team in an intentionally non-binary, queer space. The rich discussions, insights, camaraderie, and joy during rehearsals reaffirmed how important it is to hold space in our community for these stories to be told. We honor those, like Lovey, who forged the path, and acknowledge how far we still have to go.

I would like to express my aloha and appreciation to our playwright, Moses Goods and our production team—Liz, Julia, Sara, Carlynn, Rikita, Isaac, Brian, and Liza. I would also like to acknowledge the wonderful production team and cast who worked on the original zoom production in 2020 with me, especially Ryan I. Kahaʻiʻōlelo Sueoka and Veronica Vera. We carry all of your manaʻo with us in this 2024 production. And to this cast— Mahalo for being so brave and beautiful and for making the journey unforgettable.

Thank YOU for supporting Kumu Kahua and the arts.

We dedicate this performance to the real Lovey Lee, the always fabulous Kealoha Kelekolio.

Me ke aloha pumehana,
Reiko

Kaipo Dudoit (Alika, Makaʻala, Soldier) is a kanaka ʻōiwi actor from Honouliuli, Oahu. His latest theatricals works have been with Hawaiʻi Shakespeare Festival, UH Mānoa, Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī Coalition, Palikū Theatre, and Kumu Kahua Theatre. Kaipo is honored to be rejoining the cast of Lovey Lee. 

Alten Kiakona (Sargent, Ned, Girl) is excited to be making his KKT debut. Hailing from Kailua, He is a multi-ethnic and multifaceted theatre artist, having trained as an Actor, Sound Engineer, Publicity Assistant, Stage Manager, and House Manager. Alten holds BA in Theatre from UHM. Alten was last seen this past summer in HSF's Cymbeline. Other credits include One Uddah Mid’Summmah (HSF), Where Words Once Were (HPU), Keiki Kalo (UHM), The Country Wife (UHM), A Midsummer Night’s Bollywood Dream (UHM), The Cat in the Hat (UHM), Twelfth Night (UHM), Accidental Death of an Anarchist (CUCTF), The Virtue in Propaganda (CUCTF), Almost, Maine (CUCTF), and In The Heights (CUCTF).

Andy Valencia (Lorna, Crystal) is honored that she was given this opportunity to bring Lorna and Crystal to the Kumu Kahua stage! This will be her third show as an actor at this theatre. Her past productions with KKT include Moa a Moʻi and Beretania Snapshots. She has participated in many Hawaiʻi Shakespeare Festivals, the most recent Cymbeline (2024) and has been a participant in the local theatre community for the past 20 years.

Reyn Afaga (Rolange) (he/they), originally from Waipahu, Hawaiʻi, is an actor and theatrical artist based in Honolulu. He was last seen on Kumu Kahua’s stage playing various roles in Lee Cataluna’s The Folks You Meet in Longs. More recently, Reyn performed assistant director duties for The Kāmau Trilogy (KKT), and directed Cymbeline (HSF). Reyn is proud to reprise his role from the original 2020 Zoom production of Lovey Lee.

Kahana Ho (Sheila)  has been seen most recently as Wainani Carson in Kāmau Aʻe (KKT), Beretania in Beretania Snapshots (KKT), Emma Nakuina in Rediscovering History (HMH), and Sally Applewhite/Mary Hatch in It’s a Wonderful Life (MVT). Her Kumu Kahua Theatre experience includes The Conversion of Kaʻahumanu (Hannah Grimes), Other: a Micro Story, Lovey Lee (Remote Theatre), The Watcher of Waipuna, iHula, Cock-A-Doodle-Doo, One Comedy of Erras, and Kāmau Aʻe (2012 remount). She also has worked as a set build crew member, dresser, light and Foley/sound designer and operator, stage manager, technical director, assistant director, and production assistant.

Leleaʻe "Buffy" Kahalepuna-Wong (Mom) is a Kaimukī native, raised on Kauaʻi, and is no stranger to the Kumu Kahua stage. Her most recent credits include Titus Andronicus (HSF), Kāmau Trilogy (KKT), Glitter in the Pa‘akai (UHM), and Sweeney Todd (MVT).

Part of the inaugural graduating class from ICAN (International Cultural Arts Network), Buffy has also graced the small screen in television and commercials. She was recently seen in the short film Kūkini.

Malia Lagaso (Anela, Jocelyn) is a local performer and crafts educator who currently helps create and run the craft programming at the flagship store for HouseMart Ben Franklin Crafts in Honolulu. Locally you may have seen her on cable television, sharing craft skill and awesome projects on The Joy of Crafting on OC16. This is her third show with Kumu Kahua Theatre. Malia performed in Fa’alavelave and Rolling the Rs; was in the restaging of Rolling the Rs (KOA); and has enjoyed performing musical theater in shows at Mānoa Valley Theatre and Diamond Head Theatre.

Pōʻai Lincoln (Kumu Hula, Momi, Soldier) was born and raised in Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island and is the Membership Program Manager at The Friends of ʻIolani Palace. She is a professionally trained musician focusing on the perpetuation of Hawaiian music styles and history. During her time as a company actor at Honolulu Theatre for Youth, she was proud to work on a vast array of stage productions and received three Emmy Awards for HTY’s television show, The HI Way. As a storyteller, she is keenly aware of how word choice influences the audience and how the perspective of the storyteller informs the narrative.

Sean-Joseph Takeo Kahāokalani Choo is a queer, multi-ethnic + multi-hyphenate artist, born and raised in Hawai’i.  He is thrilled to once again play Lovey. Recent highlights: performing as Paka in (and directing) Jackie Pualani Johnson’s One Uddah Midʻsummah (HSF); providing music and stage directions for Lee Cataluna’s Emalani workshop (Arena Stage dir. by Kat Yen); acceptance into the 4th Annual Native American Media Alliance’s Writers Seminar.  Other career highlights include: composer/lyricist for Super Aunty by Lee Cataluna (Honolulu Theatre for Youth); featured artist, Shangri La 8x8: Source; inaugural Native American Artist Lab member with The Playwrights Realm; his original song, Think Mink!, commissioned by TheaterWorks USA about Representative Patsy Mink; and a Regional Emmy in the category of Arts/Entertainment-Long Form Content for co-producing/co-writing/co-directing, and composing “Da Holidays” episode of Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s television show, The HI Way. Sean is the Lead Steward & Head Jester of Kamamo House, a new works cultivation group, theatre advocacy organization, and podcast, named after his fierce grandmother, Eloise Tsuru Kamamo Matsuno Choo.  Kamamo House recently presented a reading of Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl’s Ola Nā Iwi as a fundraiser for Lahaina fire survivors. He is a member of The Dramatists Guild, TYA/USA, LAMDA, CAATA, and ASCAP. Sean would like to dedicate his performances of Lovey Lee to his fabulous uncles Douglas Paul Maligro, Ernest Pagente, Kaholo Daguman, and Bill Hanson, to local theater heroes, Dr. Paul Cravath and John Kauffman (Wey-ya-la-kow-it), and his queer friends and family.

Shane Chung (Calvin/Mindy) was born and raised on this beautiful island of Oʻahu. They are a genderfluid actor and artist. They graduated from Mid-Pacific Institute in 2016. They then trained at AMDA (American Academy of Musical and Dramatic Arts) at both their LA and NY campuses. You might have seen them in the 2016, 2023, and 2024 Shakespeare Festival.

Spencer House (Angela, Jermaine, Bryce, Soldier) Born and raised in Hawaiʻi. This is their first show. Spencer House is a novice performer who identifies as androgynous/non-binary. As someone who is māhū, they feel connected to the story of Lovey Lee and its characters. 

Elizabeth Ung (Assistant Director) (they/she)  is a Queer mixed-race Chinese actor and theatre artist. They were born on Tongva lands, colonially known as Southern California, and grew up on Piscataway Conoy lands, colonially known as Maryland. She currently resides in Honolulu, Hawai’i pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in Theatre & Dance with a Directing & Playwriting focus. Locally, they have been an Assistant Director on projects Kaisara (UHM), Chinee, Japanee, All Mix Up (UHM), and Lloyd Suh’s The Chinese Lady (MVT). As actor, she was also seen in Chinee, Japanee, All Mix Up (UHM) and Dance Dance Dance (UHM), as well as in several community and professional productions across Maryland, DC, Virginia, and New York. They are an Equity Membership Candidate and prior nominee for KCACTF's Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship for their performance in Chinee, Japanee, All Mix Up.

Liza Sanchez (Stage Manager) is coming out of theatre retirement for her Kumu Kahua debut. Going back to her theatre beginnings, where she started stage managing in 2003. She has stage managed over 20 productions at HPU, MVT, & ACT.

Brian Lee Sackett (TD/Set) has been involved in Hawai‘i theatre for 20-plus years. He has worked in every facet of theatre, other than playwriting, which he is quick to admit is beyond his skill set.

Isaac De La Cruz (Sound Design)  is an accomplished composer and musician with extensive experience in audio production. He holds a BFA in Music Production and Sound Design for Visual Media from the Academy of Art University. Isaac has worked on various projects, including sound design for Fun Home at Manoa Valley Theater, most recently seen on the Hi-Way. He currently serves as the Director of Praise and Worship at Wai Ola Worship. Isaac’s work also includes music direction for the Society of Professional Journalists: Gridiron 2017, showcasing his skills in composition and arrangement.

Ritka Turner (Costume Design) At three years of age with tap shoes and a smile, Rikita Turner debuted on stage, thus blossoming a career in theatrical entertainment. With a foundation in musical theater (Youth Performing Arts School), this triple-threat thespian evolved her studies in dance disciplines such as modern, ballroom, burlesque, and street. Often being self-produced she picked up skills designing costumes, hair, makeup and digital music. She moved to Honolulu in 2008 and currently works in local theater and corporate entertainment. Rikita would like to recognize her favorite kumus Gail Benedict (Dancin' 1978), Mario Ornales (Arthur Murray Int.) and Cheryl Flaherty (IONA).

Carlynn Wolfe (Costume Design) has been creating costumes in Honolulu for over a decade, most recently for Aloha Fry-Day, Lovey Lee, Fa‘alavelave “The Interruption”, Wild Birds, Who Killed Gilbert Botello?, and iHula at KKT. She was the resident costumer at TAG for six seasons and at MVT for two. She has created costumes for HMH, HSF, IONA, and independent films.

Sara Ward (Properties Design) has designed props for almost every theatre on Oʻahu. Her favorite shows she’s worked on include Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Jamarama), Fiddler on the Roof (HPU), Seussical (DHT), The King and I (ACT), The Curious Incident of the Dog in The Night-Time (MVT), The Rocky Horror Show (MVT), and Folks You Meet in Longs (KKT) . Sara has received four awards from the HSTC for her prop work, and in 2019 she received the Hawaiʻi State Theatre Council Pierre Bowman Award.

THEATRE ABBREVIATIONS

Army Community Theatre: ACT
The ARTS at Marks Garage: AMG
All the World's a Stage: ATWAS
Central Theatre Arts Academy: CTAA
Diamond Head Theatre: DHT
EVOLVE Theatre Company: ETC
Hawaiian Mission Houses: HMH
Hawai‘i Opera Theatre: HOT
Hawai‘i Pacific University: HPU
Hawai‘i Shakespeare Festival: HSF
Honolulu Theatre for Youth: HTY
Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre: IONA
Kaimukī High School: KHS
Kumu Kahua Theatre: KKT
KOA Theater: KOA
Kīlauea Military Camp Theater: KMC
Kīpuka Theatre: KT
Leeward Theatre: LCC
Mid-Pacific Institute: MPI
Mānoa Valley Theatre: MVT
‘Ohana Arts: OA
Open Home Performance Network: OHPN
‘Ōhi‘a Productions: OP
On the Spot: OTS
Performing Arts Center of Kapolei: PACK
PlayBuilders of Hawai‘i: PBH
Palikū Theatre: PTW
The Actors’ Group: TAG
University of Hawai‘i Mānoa: UHM
Windward Community College (Palikū): WCC

KUMU KAHUA THEATRE
2024-2025

Managing Director: Donna Blanchard
Artistic Director: Harry Wong III
Office Manager: Sara Ward
Box Office Associates: Alyson Wong, Kathy Dombrigues, Max Pennington & Victoria Amara

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Marcus Oshiro
Vice President: Dann Seki
Recording Secretary: Jason Kanda
Elizabeth Errico
Mark Kalahele
Karen Kaulana
Brook Lee
Annie Macapagal
Kathy Dombrigues Max 
Tony Pisculli
John H. Y. Wat
Victoria Wei