Towering wigs, crimson lipstick, splashy scenery and larger-than-life characters. What is it about a musical that makes the audience want to break into song?
"It takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry with you in your head . . . something for when you're feeling blue," reflects the narrator of "The Drowsy Chaperone," Seabury Hall's fall musical production.
Linda Carnevale, director of Baldwin High School's upcoming production, "Rock-n-Roll," puts it more simply - "It's just fun!"
Article Photos
Baldwin High School’s “Rock-n-Roll” features Kenny Komatsu (from left), Kaitlyn Brunner, Julianna Scharnhorst, Jesie Rocetes, Janolan Endrina, Melissa Jansen, Sienna Minnock and Sebastian Rico.
WARREN HIGUCHI photo
Musical theater has a magic all its own, and luckily for us, Baldwin High School and Seabury Hall are both dishing up delightful productions next weekend, opening on Friday, Nov. 5.
"Rock-n-Roll" is a fun-filled trip back to the 1950s, where swaggering jocks, peppy rally girls and misfit bikers vie for social status, break one another's hearts and hobnob over soda pop. According to Carnevale, "The first show of the season has got to get the kids interested and involved. This is the '50s era, which the kids love, and it's got characters, fun characters."
The 48 students in the cast have worked hard to make the production their own, mastering their individual roles and teaming up to choreograph the show's dance numbers. This promises to be a sweet and hilarious musical full of catchy tunes, energetic dancing and outrageous characters.
Fact Box
"Rock-n-Roll" opens on Friday, Nov. 5, and performs two weekends at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 5 p.m. Sundays; and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Loudon Mini-Theatre on the Baldwin campus. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for kids 17 and under. A Gala Night Fundraiser will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at Baldwin's Starlight Theatre Caf. Call 984-5656, ext. 315 for reservations for the Gala Night.
*****
"The Drowsy Chaperone" is a quirky "musical within a comedy" in which a nostalgic musical-theater buff guides the audience through the soundtrack of a fabulous, fictional 1920s Broadway musical. As the dusty old record bursts to life onstage, with extravagant production numbers, lavish costumes and a generous dose of overacting, the show alternately pokes fun at and celebrates the genre of musical theater.
"This is one of my all-time favorite shows. I'm so glad we're doing it at Seabury," director David Ward told me.
As the stage manager for the production, I have been lucky enough to see the show come together from the beginning. It has been a delight to watch the students settle into their roles with confidence and finesse. I am so excited to discover what this marvelous show will look and sound like on opening night.
* "The Drowsy Chaperone" opens on Friday, Nov. 5, and runs three weekends: at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays, Nov.14 and 21. Tickets are $13 for adults, $11 for seniors and $7 for students. Call 573-1257 for reservations and information.
*****
This Weekend
"The Magic of Friendship": If you have kids under 10, you won't want to miss the only public performances of MAPA's fall educational theater tour starring Derek Nakagawa and Francis Tau'a. Using music and humor, the play tells of a young wannabe wizard who learns about the value of friendship. More than 15,000 preschool and elementary students across the state will see the show in their schools this semester.
* "The Magic of Friendship" plays at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Steppingstone Playhouse at Queen Ka'ahumanu Center. Tickets are $4. Call 244-8760 or visit the customer service kiosk at Queen Ka'ahumanu Center for tickets. Come in your Halloween costume!
*****
Coming up
LOL@MACC Comedy Night featuring Bret Ernst: Laugh Out Loud at the second show in the MACC's new stand-up comedy series, featuring the nation's hottest comedians from the live circuit and TV.
Bret is a headliner in top comedy clubs across the country and has earned the prestigious honor of marquee status on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles.
He will next appear as the host of the new Oxygen TV network series, "Love Games: Bad Girls Need Love, Too."
Bret can also be seen on his own Comedy Central Presents TV special and he most recently appeared on the BET network series "One Mic Stand" and Showtime's "Comics without Borders."
* LOL at Bret Ernst performing at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, at the MACC's new comedy series in McCoy Studio Theater. Tickets are $25 and $45 VIP seating with post-show meet-and-greet (plus applicable fees). Call the MACC box office at 242- 7469 or visit mauiarts.org for tickets.
'Rhythmic Revolution'
Arranged by Chloe Arnold, performer, choreographer and former artistic director for Debbie Allen Productions, Rhythmic Revolution masterfully blends tap, flamenco, Indian Odissi and Brazilian rhythms. Featured performers include Emmy Award-winner Jason Samuels Smith, Broadway and film star Mark Mendonca, Japan's graceful and percussive Yukiko Misumi and Maui's Odissi master, Sarala Dandekar & Co.
This global dance showcase is sure to dazzle your senses and ignite the Castle stage.
* "Rhythmic Revolution" shows at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at Castle Theater at the MACC. Tickets are $12, $22 or $32 (plus applicable fees). Contact the MACC box office, as above, for tickets.
