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MOS’ ‘Scrooge’ unwraps Christmas cheer

A key component to keeping Christmas entertainment poignant is children. Last weekend at the Historic Iao Theater, "Scrooge - the Musical" opened with a half dozen kids singing traditional Christmas carols. That opening evolved into the first number of the show, and proud parents aside, the moment was touching to strangers as well. There were a few opening night "oops" moments, and I wished the entire cast could sing louder, but "Scrooge," about 20 minutes in, got its groove back, and Brian Connolly's performance in the title role is a triumph.One stirring solo after another rescues the ...

Kama‘aina Christmas

St. Nick was already dwarfing the Grim Reaper in mid-October - before Halloween got to have its day. This isn't a new phenomenon: It actually dates to Franklin Roosevelt trying to move Thanksgiving to the beginning of November in order to jump-start Christmas shopping. If the Christmas frenzy is already taking its toll on you, there are several holiday events and performances starting this weekend that won't require maxing out a credit card or cursing the person who invented singing and dancing dolls.*****At 3 p.m. this Sunday, enjoy "Harps & Horns," a celebration of the Christmas ...

What in the Dickens?! ‘Scrooge The Musical’

The 1970 movie poster declared, "What in the Dickens have they done to Scrooge?"OK, he sings now, quite a lot, but in actuality "they" returned Ebenezer to the original incarnation. "Scrooge," musical or not, is dark, at times disturbing, and in my opinion the best 20th-century adaptation of "A Christmas Carol."If you've never seen Albert Finney's film performance, it's pretty repulsive. For starters, he appears to have some Proactiv skin issue on his face and serious dental problems. Rarely have I seen a more loathsome and revolting character portrayal. Yet, at the same time, Finney was ...

Fresh Faces of Ampersand

Not long ago, opportunities for Maui's finest dancers were few and far between. Enter Rebecca Owen and Amelia Nelson, the founders of two new Maui dance troupes. The leaders are cultivating professional-level dance opportunities for adults, as well as showcasing isle talent for the community at large.Their dance troupes will team up this weekend to present an evening of original choreography during "inside ampersand" on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Steppingstone Playhouse in Kahului."Dance is such an integral part of our work," said Maui Academy of Performing Arts Executive and ...

‘Ko‘olau’ script is strong; performance needs work

The sold-out premiere of Gary T. Kubota's "Legend of Ko'olau" on Saturday was certainly monumental, but as is the case with all debuts, a little tweaking might be in order.I was mildly disappointed that the star of the one-man play, Ed Ka'ahea as Ko'olau, performed with script in hand, but pleased that he barely looked at it. Ka'ahea may be better-suited for a televised broadcast of "Ko'olau," but regardless his eyes were transfixed on the audience, and the audience was captivated by his portrayal.There were three moments when Ka'ahea owned the role. The first was the fact that he never ...

Survival against all odds

It's not very often that a Maui playwright has the opportunity to present an original world-premiere play, but local writer Gary T. Kubota will be doing just that on Saturday night at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. His saga, "Legend of Ko'olau," is the historical account of the life of Kaluaiko'olau, a Kauai paniolo and rebel, starring Ed Ka'ahea in the title role. It is a tale of love and survival against all odds.Ko'olau, a Hawaiian cowboy, fought against a militia that had overthrown the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893. "You have to understand Hawaii was going through a radical ...