“It’s unlike anything you’ve seen on Kaua‘i,” said first-time director Joel Guy. “The Oasis Lounge,” an original musical written and produced by Gina Mears, is set in the exotic Egypt of Cleopatra’s time, when the intrigue of mysticism and love
“It’s unlike anything you’ve seen on Kaua‘i,” said first-time director Joel Guy. “The Oasis Lounge,” an original musical written and produced by Gina Mears, is set in the exotic Egypt of Cleopatra’s time, when the intrigue of mysticism and love drives the peasants and the pageantry to high comedic drama. Mears’ son, Joel Guy, directs the North Shore Players in what is the first, but surely not last, family collaboration.
“Watching my mom perform this sensational music blows me away,” said Guy, “sometimes I just can’t believe it’s her — she’s so beautiful and talented.” Guy explained his own artistic drive was inspired by growing up with Mears’ who was “always writing music, performing, creating.”
“Every idea I’ve had,” said Mears, “Joel kicked up three notches. What he’s put into this is incredible.” Not originally conceived as a collaboration, Mears approached Guy “because I knew of his incredible talent in filmmaking and painting, and I thought he would be able to bring so much visually to the show. I have four amazingly talented sons, they’re my inspiration.”
Guy is electrified by the process of putting a live show together. “I’m completely immersed in the ‘look’ of it all, from the set design to the lighting, the blocking and staging, I’m really trying to perfect everything that my mother envisioned. I see my role in this show as a support for her talent, in writing, music and performance.”
“Centering on the chain of events brought about by the Lounge owners’ avocation as soothsayer/problem solver, the story weaves it’s way through three enchanting evenings, complete with bad guys, good guys, sultry dancing girls, and even a visit from Cleopatra herself, all in fabulous costumes,” states a release on the show, “the levity and lessons of ‘Oasis Lounge’ are as true today as they were 2000 years ago.” Mears said, “no matter what your role in society is, queen or worker, and no matter what era you live in, you deal with the same problems. In the end, what you believe creates your life.”
The show is being staged at “the historic red barn theater in Kapa‘a,” said Guy. Located at All Saint’s Gym on Kuhio Highway, Guy feels confident the show will sell out during it’s limited two-weekend run. “We are so excited to share this production with Kaua‘i because it’s something really unique,” said Guy. The exotic costuming, lavish sets and electronica/lounge music sets it apart from the other island productions in recent memory.
“The foundation of the plot is in the music,” said Guy referring to the elaborate dances and lyrical songs that move the action forward. “My mom was inspired after a trip to Egypt, and started writing the music for what became the script and the show.” Mears’ trip to Egypt as a tourist in 2002 became the launching point for her creative process, “the show was a vehicle for some things I wanted to say creatively.”
Guy feels challenged in directing a cast with such diverse levels of experience. “It’s a little difficult to direct someone who has far more experience in theater than I do, but it’s still my job to tell them, ‘I can’t hear you out here, or try saying the line before you cross,’. We have such an amazing and dedicated cast, they really bring ancient Egypt to life.”
Mears also described how impressive the cast has been during this process, “they’re so amazingly talented and all of them have given so much to this.” The experience with this group has made such an impact on Mears she has resurrected The North Shore Players, a community theater group once very active on the North Shore. “I’ve now registered The North Shore Players as a non-profit organization and hope that it can become a real force in the community. My ultimate dream is to have a theater built, a children’s theater program where local kids can do summer workshops and shows, and then a permanent company producing shows throughout the year.” Mears feels the talent on the North Shore deserves an outlet and that kids who “are so focused on surfing can have some other options — not everyone is going to be a surf star.” Offering creative opportunities is a way to build community connections and educational opportunity. For Mears, Guy and a talented cast, “The Oasis Lounge” marks the beginning of a new renaissance of North Shore theater — “we’ve set the bar pretty high. It’s been the busiest and most rewarding time of my life,” said Mears.
