PUHI — “You need to learn how to act first,” said Carol Culver, director of the Hawaii Children’s Theatre fall production. “You can rehearse the singing later.” Culver was speaking with Dolly Kanekuni, the production’s vocal director, during rehearsal of
PUHI — “You need to learn how to act first,” said Carol Culver, director of the Hawaii Children’s Theatre fall production. “You can rehearse the singing later.”
Culver was speaking with Dolly Kanekuni, the production’s vocal director, during rehearsal of the opening act of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!” at the Puhi Theatrical Warehouse.
Based on the 1968 film version of Ian Fleming’s children’s book with a musical score by the Sherman Brothers, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!” is a family-friendly blockbuster of Hawaii Children’s Theatre.
“‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!’ is a full-scale musical production directed and choreographed by Carol, who directed the smash hit ‘Mary Poppins for the Hawaii Children’s Theatre two years ago,” said Melissa McFerrin Warrack, HCT spokesperson. “Carol has choreographed and directed more than 20 shows on Kauai and has trained students to bring the magic of the classics to life through show-stopping choreography and intricately-crafted productions.”
Culver is complemented by a team of seasoned theatre professionals including Kanekuni, Dennis McGraw, the orchestra director, Bailey Hutton, the production stage manager and technical director, and Debra Blachowiak, the producer.
The cast of 42 includes Jarhett Gaines, who is Caractarus Potts; Jim Warrack portraying Grandpa Potts; Noah Cabello as the Toymaker; and Daphne Sanchez as the Baroness.
“HCT’s hallmark is a diverse cast integrating both experienced and novice actors with an educational production process where students and adults build valuable theatre skills in all aspects of production while building confidence and a sense of teamwork along the way,” McFerrin Warrack said.
“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!” is scheduled to perform at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall over three weekends from Nov. 10 through Nov. 26.
Tickets are available at the door as well as through the Hawaii Children’s Theatre website at www.hawaiichildrenstheatre.org. Advance tickets will be available from ticket outlets beginning Oct. 15. Groups and organizations may contact HCT for special group rates for groups of 25 people or more.
“The community is encouraged to support a special benefit matinee performance Nov. 12 for the Kauai food banks,” McFerrin Warrack said. “For the matinee, $6 tickets are available from cast members and at the door with a donation of food or money to benefit both the Hawaii Foodbank, Kauai Branch, and the Kauai Independent Food Bank.”
Information: 246-8985
