PUHI — The hippies may be gone, but the Pono Players captured the spirit of “Godspell,” which opened Thursday at the Puhi Theatrical Warehouse. The musical runs Thursday to Sunday, closing April 10. All performances are at 7 p.m. Loosely
PUHI — The hippies may be gone, but the Pono Players captured the spirit of “Godspell,” which opened Thursday at the Puhi Theatrical Warehouse.
The musical runs Thursday to Sunday, closing April 10. All performances are at 7 p.m.
Loosely based on the Gospel of Matthew, “Godspell” centers around a small group of Jesus’ followers who are united by His mission of love and faith. With the help of Jesus, they act out parables from the New Testament, which touch upon themes of greed, death and redemption.
During the 90-minute production, the Pono Players deliver all the rapture of “Godspell,” but with a Hawaiian twist.
The stage is transformed into a beach, complete with palm trees, a lifeguard tower, surfboards and coconuts. Musical Director S. Morris Wise and his musical accompaniment perform in the bed of two pickup trucks parked on the sand.
“It’s Kaua‘i, so we thought let’s make it on the beach,” said Producer Steve Whitney.
The Pono Players comprise 10 young actors, whose ages range from 13 to 26, and began rehearsing “Godspell” in February.
“It’s a huge commitment of energy and focus,” Director Ed Eaton said. “Everyone is tremendously committed and super-talented.”
Eaton and Whitney chose “Godspell” as a tool to bring the troupe together and work on the actors’ improvisational skills.
“Because the way the parables are done in ‘Godspell,’ this seemed like a beautiful mechanism to build the troupe and get them to know and trust each other and work in a cohesive way,” Whitney said. “‘Godspell’ is a stepping stone to another show we are working on about bullying.”
Whitney said the troupe’s next production is “One Big Family,” set to debut in May.
“The goal is to keep building ‘Godspell,’ so we have this really amazing ensemble growth during its three-week run,” Director Ed Eaton said. “I want to springboard that into an even more powerful piece to take into the schools. … The real goal is to bring something to the people who can’t afford (‘Godspell’) or wouldn’t come to it because it’s not their thing, and for people to come see how powerful the art of theater is.”
Cheston Chandler-Borges portrays Jesus and Janardan Link doubles as John the Baptist and Judas. The rest of the cast is rounded out by Beorn Chantara, Raina Silver, Rachel Meek, Malachi Burrow, Savanah Frisk, Dakshina Marlier, Janardan Link, Erin Gaines, Lexi Vilas and Toby Riggle.
“Godspell” is a fundraiser for the Pono Players. Proceeds from the performance will help fund upcoming productions for the troupe.
“Godspell” runs 7 p.m. Thursday to Sunday at the Puhi Theatrical Warehouse, located at 4411 Kikowaena St. in Puhi. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $20 for students and seniors.
Visit www.HawaiiChildrensTheatre.com to purchase tickets or for more information about Pono Players.
• Andrea Frainier, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or afrainier@thegardenisland.com.
