Entertainment

DUETS! explores the magic that happens when two performers share the stage

Known for her acclaimed cabaret productions celebrating music icons from Stevie Wonder to Carole King, Sheryl Renee is the creative force behind ProArts Playhouse's popular DUETS! series, which pairs her with some of Maui's top performers.

After opening the year with a celebration of the history of Black music and following it with a show centered on breakup songs, her latest production explores the magic that happens when two performers share the stage.

"This new show is all about duets and the energy that two individuals bring to the same concept," Renee explained. "I base my shows on a variety show format. I was raised on watching Sonny and Cher, 'The Carol Burnett Show,' Flip Wilson and 'Hee Haw.'"

Musicians and dancers joining her include violist Teresa Skinner, singers Maury King, Sweet Mama Dee, Malia Kulp and Aida Rose, and dancers Theresa Supera and Matt Fennelly. "I'm really excited because I've got dancers in this show and I've got viola and voice in the show. It's really going to be quite different," said Renee.

Sweet Mama Dee, a longtime DJ at Mana'o Radio and host of The Blues Rainbow, has been performing since she was 5 years old and studied both opera and musical theater.

"Teresa Supera is very into the theater community," said Renee. "She was in 'Cabaret' last year. Malia Kulp has had a career in the arts. She's just a dynamo, and I'm happy to have this opportunity to kind of introduce her to Maui."

An actor and dancer, Matt Fennelly was featured in the drama "Murder In the Nth Degree" by Maui-based author James Nevius.

Renee is also enthusiastic about Lahainaluna High School graduate Aida Rose, a classically trained vocalist comfortable performing opera, jazz, rock and musical theater.

"This young lady is the voice of the new generation here on Maui," Renee said. "She's an actress and vocalist, and has a beautiful and powerful voice."

The production also marks Renee's first collaboration with Maui Pops Orchestra principal violist Teresa Skinner.

"(Renee) called me up and said, 'I'm doing this duets show with some of my favorite people to sing with. How about I'll do the vocal and you do the instrumental,'" said Skinner. "It's something unexpected."

Over the years, Skinner has performed with a range of leading island talent, including Amy Hanaiali'i, Willie K., Keali'i Reichel, Uluwehi Guerrero, Keola Beamer, Jake Shimabukuro, Hapa, and Kalani Pe'a. She also accompanied Burt Bacharach, Smokey Robinson and Ray Charles.

She remembers performing with Charles on Hawaii Island as a career highlight. "We were a backup in an orchestral setting," she said. "He had amazing ears. He could tell if any player was not absolutely on point and what chair they were sitting. The opportunity to do that was pretty great."

Skinner said she has fond memories of backing Reichel and Guerrero when they first got started. "It was a quartet with their band, and they both played and sang. It was really remarkable. Later on, we did their first show at the Hawaii Theater, which was epic."

Living on Maui since 1986, she began playing the viola while attending Hollywood High School, attracted to the instrument for "its deep, dark, rich, chocolate, purple sound. It's got a melancholic sound to it."

As a principal with Maui Pops, she has enjoyed watching the orchestra's popularity continue to grow. "People love it," she said. "Our audiences have gotten huge."

Besides the ProArts show, Skinner has been playing viola at special "Candlelight Concerts" at the Grand Wailea. "It's bringing classical musicians together to play approachable music in a setting in which it's completely illuminated by candles," she noted. "It's epic."

The candlelight shows "The Best of Hans Zimmer" and "Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons" will be presented on Aug. 15.

The DUETS! program will feature songs associated with a range of artists including Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, Carly Simon, Johnny Cash and Whitney Houston. "Every number is a different tableau," said Renee. "I decorate the stage and costume changes. It's a real cabaret show, and we always include the audience one way or another. It's just a fun time."

Sheryl Renee Cabaret Series will present DUETS! at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at the ProArts Playhouse. Tickets are $26-$42 at proartsmaui.org.