Back in August in this column, I listed all of the shows planned for the 2012-13 season.
At the time, there were several to be announced (TBA) dates, which have recently been filled with new shows.
None, however, is as exciting as the Maui Academy of Performing Arts recent announcement to stage "Les Miserables," with music by Claude-Michel Schonberg, original French lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, and an English language libretto (text) by Herbert Kretzmer, based on the novel by Victor Hugo.
Article Photos
Jason Phelps (from left), Danu Uribe and Chris Gibson star in this comic-book-like show
SARAH BOURKE HAMILTON photo
MAPA plans to produce the mammoth production in August, which will mark its first, and Maui's first show, of the 2013-14 season. Exact dates and location cannot as yet be revealed, but keep posted for additional details as well as an audition announcement.
Another "first-time on Maui" production was announced recently as well. King Kekaulike High School (KKHS) will present "Footloose" by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford with music by Tom Snow and lyrics by Dean Pitchford.
For the first time at KKHS, the drama and band programs are collaborating on a show, and combined, it will be a 10- piece live orchestra made up of students. If you went to high school in the '80s, you know the tale all too well. Ren (Kevin Bacon) and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town that has a ban on dancing. In addition to the Tony-nominated original music, this stage version also features the more familiar hits by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar and Kenny Loggins.
"Footloose" will run weekends, April 12 through 21. In addition to "Footloose," King Kekaulike will present "Usher, A Totally Teen Comedy" by Flip Kobler and Cindy Marcus, weekends, Jan. 11 through 20. "Usher" is a teen-savvy comedy loosely based on "The Fall of the House of Usher" and other works by Edgar Allen Poe, such as "The Cask of Amontillado," "The Tell Tale Heart" and "Annabel Lee," but with more laughs and a much brighter ending.
Multimedia lovers won't want to miss "The Intergalactic Nemesis Live-Action Graphic Novel" on Wednesday. This incredibly unique stage show is a comedic adventure tale about a reporter Molly Sloan, assistant Timmy Mendez, and a mysterious librarian named Ben Wilcott, as they face an impending invasion of sludge monsters from the planet Zygon. The comic-book-like production, set in the 1930s, features three actors, a foley-sound artist, and a keyboardist who perform all the voices, sound effects and music live on stage while more than 1,000 hand-drawn comic book images blast from a movie screen.
* "Intergalactic" is produced, written and directed by Jason Neulander and it is appropriate for all ages. "Book One: Target Earth" will be the episode featured in Castle Theater at the MACC. Performance is at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. and tickets are $12, $28 and $35 (plus applicable fees). To purchase, visit the MACC box office, call 242-7469, or order online at www.mauiarts.org.
Additional newly announced events at the MACC include Broadway stars Gary Mauer and Elizabeth Southard in performance with the Maui Pops Orchestra as they present a collection of memorable Broadway songs from hit shows such as "Les Miserables," "Show Boat," "West Side Story," "Chicago" and more.
Southard and Mauer sang the lead roles of Christine and the Phantom in the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's international sensation, "The Phantom of The Opera." Tickets are $25, $35 and $45.
In February, Margaret Cho brings her new stand-up show, the uproariously and aptly named "Mother."
According to Cho, her 2013 tour offers an untraditional look at motherhood and how we look at maternal figures and strong women in queer culture.
"It's probably my edgiest show to date, filled with riotous observations on race, drugs, sexuality - gay, straight, everything in between, celebrity, culture, politics -nothing is sacred." For mature audiences only. The tickets are $27, $37 and $47.
Also in Castle Theater at the MACC in early 2013 is a trio of dance troupes. Kiegwin + Company, a contemporary dance company from New York City, performs on Jan. 17. Giordano Dance Chicago, an innovative jazz dance company, performs on Feb. 7. The Nrityagram Dance Ensemble of India will perform Feb. 21. Nrityagram is regarded worldwide for its exceptional synchronicity and jaw-dropping physicality. For additional details visit mauiarts.org.
Oahu's Kumu Kahua Theater returns to the MACC's McCoy Studio Theater in March with "Fishing For Wives" by Edward Sakamoto. The local tale takes place in 1913 and revolves around the comical confusion over a mail-order bride mix up. Nishi, a lonely and bored fisherman, sends for a bride in Japan, but sends her a picture of his handsome friend Aoki. The bride arrives and falls in love with the wrong man setting off a farcical battle of the sexes. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. March 22 and 23. The general admission seating will be $22.
Maui OnStage, in partnership with Whole Foods Market Maui, will present the third annual "Maui Fringe Theater Festival" Feb. 1 through 3 at the Historic Iao Theater.
The 2013 festival of original one-act plays will feature performers from New York, Los Angeles and Maui. From Maui, "John Brown's Body," by Will Hausman and starring Paul Janes-Brown as the legendary abolitionist John Brown. The marathon of theater will open with "They Call Me Q" by Quarrat Ann Kadwani. Kadwani is an award-winning actress from New York City who has been touring her one-woman show all over the United States for the past two years. Also from Maui comes "Joy and Jack" by Rick Scheideman. This local actor will present his own original one-man show based on the true middle aged love story of "Narnia" creator C.S. Lewis.
From Improv Olympic West in Los Angeles comes the hysterical one-woman show "Turner & Hooch 2: Murder at the Wackenheim Manor" by Julia Wackenheim, And also from Maui, "Celestial Mechanics" by Matthew Gurewittsch, an original play about a homeless man on Maui and two tourists who experience an astrological phenomenon which touches their lives. Plus you can expect showcase performances by Sharyn Stone, the Ultraviolets, excerpts from "Shout!: the Mod Musical," and much more. Tickets for individual performances are available at the door for $10. For all-festival passes or more details, call 242-6969 or visit www.mauionstage.com.
This week
"A Fringe Benefit" preview will be at the Wailuku First Friday this week at the Historic Iao Theater.
Meet the playwrights of the upcoming "Maui Fringe Theater Festival 2013," purchase all-show festival passes and enjoy an evening of on the fringe performances.
It will include eclectic live music by Mojomana, glow-in-the-dark performance art by Rachel Deboer and the "Ultraviolets," an original dramatic monologue performed by Vinnie Linares, and stand-up comedy by Chino La Forge. Doors at 6 p.m., show at 6:30, $5 cover charge at the door.
Upcoming
MAPA's Ampersand Dance Company, a newly formed group founded by five MAPA alumni to provide a venue for accomplished adult dancers, will have its inaugural performances at Steppingstone Playhouse in Queen Ka'ahumanu Center at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 and 12; and at 2 p.m. Jan. 13.
Founding company members include Rebecca Owen, Katira Arak, Ajja DeShayne, Katerina B. Dominguez and Jenna Kamikawa. The performance features original choreography set to a variety of contemporary music.
Tickets are $15 for adults, and $12 for students younger than 18. For more information, visit www.mauiacademy.org or call 244-8760.
