LIHU‘E — Revel in the story of forbidden love and social prejudice on stage with Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre performing the Broadway musical “Once On This Island,” the recipient of eight Tony nominations.
“This one is very different,” said Jennifer Downs, artistic director for the program five years running. “There’s a lot more music and a story telling style where the whole group tells the story.
Downs described the show as a “much more ensemble based piece.”
Unlike years past where two different shows were chosen for each age group, this year both the 8 to 14 year-olds and 15 to 21 year-olds will collaborate on the same show. This weekend ages 8 to 14 will perform feature parts with supporting chorus by the 15 to 21 year-olds. Next week those roles will reverse with the older kids as features and the younger providing chorus.
Downs directs the afternoon program of adolescents and Maile Speetjens the morning group of younger kids.
“Two directors and two very different shows,” Downs said.
The kids practiced five days a week for four hours a day. For the second year in a row Summer Stars opened their program with a week of intensive workshops including a mime and movement workshop, technique workshops, conducting and the basics of auditioning.
Many of the production team are past participants of the program. Downs began her acting career at age 10 when her mother, Bobbie Downs, launched Summer Stars. Morning director, Speetjens joined the program at age 14 and returns to Kaua‘i every summer from Boston to teach.
The Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre is Kaua‘i’s only year-round youth-produced theater program. Besides the support of alums, the program is populated with work/study high school students, including two interns: Jorey Cantu and Kameron Fort.
Other key roles are played by the following: Kirsten Hopkins; afternoon musical director, Samuel Alfier; morning musical director, Dave Horger; choreographer, Monica Trimble; administrative coordinator, Marti Berrett; associate staff, Phillip Marshall; associate staff, Dain Metcalfe.
Behind the scenes are set painting designer, Lisa Pollak; lighting designer, Quinn Kennedy; costumes, Maile Speetjens; star board, Donna Palmer and sound, Steve Whitney.
Shows are for two weeks only: 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 4 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Children age four and under are free.
Call 246-8985 or visit hawaiichildrenstheatre.com.
Want to go?
What: HCT production of ‘Once On This Island’
When: 7 p.m. tonight and Saturday; 4 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m. July 24, 25; 4 p.m. July 26
Where: Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Theatre
