Join some of Kaua‘i’s budding high school actors and actresses on a romp through Yonkers in their Broadway musical “Hello Dolly.” For 21 years Kauai Performing Arts Center has been honing the crafts of Kaua‘i students in the performing arts.
Join some of Kaua‘i’s budding high school actors and actresses on a romp through Yonkers in their Broadway musical “Hello Dolly.”
For 21 years Kauai Performing Arts Center has been honing the crafts of Kaua‘i students in the performing arts. Part of the state’s learning center program, KPAC offers another option in the school curriculum by providing middle and high school students with classes in acting, playwriting, stagecraft, scene study and directing.
“Entrance to KPAC is by audition only,” said the program’s director Dennis McGraw, who has been with the program since 2000.
Once again, McGraw will join the orchestra on his trombone.
The students audition in December before winter break and begin the arduous task of preparation as soon as they return.
“This is a huge sacrifice,” said McGraw. “Though they do receive credit, they do it because they love it.”
Centrally located at Kaua‘i High School, KPAC is an after-school theater program.
“I feel like I have the best job of any teacher on-island,” said McGraw. “I work with talented, self-motivated, wonderful kids.”
McGraw attests to the devotion of his students who commit the extra time after the last bell has rung on campus.
“Once a kid’s in a show, they are back every year,” he said.
When considering a musical for the spring production, first and foremost, he looks for one that kids will like.
“I look for something with lots of parts, too,” he said. “You want to give as many kids as possible significant roles as well as parts in the chorus.”
“Hello Dolly” filled those criteria. The story is of a sassy matchmaker named Dolly Gallagher Levi who makes a living through what she terms “meddling.” She travels to Yonkers to visit her client — grumpy Horace Vandergelder, a prominent citizen and wealthy bachelor in need of a wife. It is soon clear, however, that Dolly intends to marry Horace herself and to “send his money circulating among the people like rainwater.”
The “Hello Dolly” cast includes 40 students plus a veteran core artistic team: musical director Alan Van Zee; costumers Charlotte Ross and Poppy Shell; choreographer Carol Culver and set construction/design Ismael Cantu and Mark Hamasaki.
Van Zee, Shell and Culver have been on staff since the program’s inception.
Shell, a mother of five, has had a son or daughter participate in the KPAC program for over 17 years.
“Her youngest son is now getting a degree in theater,” said McGraw.
“Hello Dolly” is a musical with lyrics and music by Jerry Herman and a book by Michael Stewart, based on Thornton Wilder’s 1938 farce “The Merchant of Yonkers,” which Wilder revised and retitled “The Matchmaker” in 1955.
The 1969 film version featured Barbara Streisand and Walter Matthau and was nominated for seven Academy Awards. This three Oscar Award-winning Broadway musical-comedy received, among others, “Best Music Score of a Musical Picture.”
KPAC’s ‘Hello Dolly’
When: Tonight and tomorrow at 7 p.m.; Sunday at 4 p.m.; May 2 and 3 at 7 p.m.; May 4 at 4 p.m.
Where: Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall, Lihu‘e
Tickets: Advance $6 students, $10 adult; at the door $8 students, $12 adult
Tickets available at Kilauea Pharmacy, Kmart, Progressive Expressions in Koloa, Scotty’s Music in Kalaheo and from cast members.
For more information, call 651-2417.
