Breaking News

Backstage

‘Legally Blonde’ is a nonstop, high-energy romp that will have you smiling from start to finish

The good news regarding "Legally Blonde: the Musical" is that it's a nonstop, high-energy romp that will have you smiling from start to finish. The bad news is, you will have "Omigod You Guys" stuck in your head for several days. Productions of this specific scale are rarely attempted on Maui for good reason. "Blonde" demands constant scene changes; it needs to run about 100 miles per hour; and the dance numbers are so massive that on occasion, the Iao stage isn't quite big enough.Casey Murphy Hughes, in the lead, gives the performance of her life thus far. She's on stage approximately ...

Legally Blonde’ turns bullying on its ear and is more than expected

Whether you're a spouse, a date, a parent or a child, we've all been dragged to movies we didn't want to see. We assume it will be horrible, and have incredibly low expectations. "Legally Blonde" was that film for me. However, 10 minutes in I was laughing out loud. Although it may appear as fluff on the surface, by film's end there is an incredible amount of substance in this story. If you've ever spent a chapter of your life in Southern California, it is perhaps easy to mock the over-privileged, but a little open mindedness will reveal a much more complex individual with a master's ...

MAPA teens’ ‘Pippin’ is musically strong and dancing is extraordinary

You could describe "Pippin" as an underappreciated Broadway classic. Some find it too anticlimactic, some suggest it is dated, and others claim it is a little too gimmicky. The one thing all seem to agree on is that the music is phenomenal, and the Fosse choreography is some of his finest work. If you're going to take on the very '70s "Pippin," nailing song and dance is essential. This MAPA production has a few chinks in the armor, but musically it is very strong for an all-youth cast and the dancing is extraordinary.Makana Gabin, as the Leading Player, presents Fosse movement at a near ...

Pippin

"I chose to do 'Pippin' with adolescents, because like Pippin's quest, all these young people are on a quest," said "Pippin" Director Sally Sefton. "It's a hero's journey, he's trying to find himself, and I wanted to introduce this story to kids."Sefton continues that at a recent rehearsal, "Kaimana Neil (Pippin) sang 'Corner of the Sky.' I asked, 'who can relate to these lyrics?' Everyone raised their hand. 'Corner of the Sky' is the main reason I chose this play."The "Pippin" performances are the culmination of the Maui Academy of Performing Arts teen musical theater camp, and the ...

Lia Krieg Talks Story

"I've never really had any training," says Maui actress and singer, Lia Krieg. "I started in 1987 at the old Pu'unene Playhouse under the direction of Linda Takita in 'Pinocchio,'" she shares. "They made a role for me, Jiminy Cricket, who narrated the show. I wasn't a very disciplined actor at 7, and I remember them always trying to find me during rehearsal. I was too busy making friends and having fun when I should have been paying attention; after that I practically lived at Maui Youth Theater" (now Maui Academy of Performing Arts).From MAPA childhood performances to Baldwin High ...

Legally Blonde

Five years ago, a young woman astonished everyone at the auditions for the Maui OnStage production of "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." Her name was Casey Murphy. Shortly after she sang for the first time, "Best Little" casting associate, Aly Cardinalli, exclaimed to director, Kristi Scott: "Let's get the rights to 'Legally Blonde' before she moves." Since that time Casey, now Casey Murphy Hughes, has gone on to play the girl that stranded her fiance at the altar in "the Wedding Singer," along with being a floozy with a heart of greed in "Annie," murderess Roxie Hart in "Chicago," ...