LIHU‘E — Students from Chiefess Kamakahelei, Kapa‘a and Waimea middle schools will join forces this weekend for a trio of short plays, including “The Calico Tiger,” “Oz” and “Epic Fail.” “It’s three plays in one,” Producer Dennis McGraw said. “(The
LIHU‘E — Students from Chiefess Kamakahelei, Kapa‘a and Waimea middle schools will join forces this weekend for a trio of short plays, including “The Calico Tiger,” “Oz” and “Epic Fail.”
“It’s three plays in one,” Producer Dennis McGraw said. “(The students) have been working on the plays since September, rehearsing twice a week after school.”
“The Calico Tiger” will be performed by an all-girl cast from Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School.
“The story is about a tiger who learns that it’s better to have friends than be mean,” Director Cher Ellwood said. “When you bully, you don’t have any friends, but when you change your stripes, become calico, people will like you and your life will be better.”
The moral of the story is not to judge things based on appearance, according to Ellwood.
“I think it’s going to be really fun,” she said. “(The students) are working really hard.”
Don Zolidis’ version of “Oz” will be performed by students at Kapa‘a Middle School, under the direction of Erin Martin.
“It’s a retelling of ‘The Wizard of Oz,’” Martin said. “One of the more comical versions.”
In the story, a girl named Beth — who is reeling from her sister’s recent death — finds herself journeying through a world suspiciously resembling the film “The Wizard of Oz,” according to a Playscripts synopsis.
While the intro to the play is different from the original story, Martin says all the main characters are present, including the witches, munchkins, Tin Man, Lion and Scarecrow.
“It’s coming along great,” Martin said.
“It’s a really good cast. They all have fun. They’re energetic. I think it’s going to be a great show.”
Students at Waimea Middle School will tackle “Epic Fail,” a comedy about five teenagers facing their fears and ultimately failing — in epic fashion.
The scenes include a girl taking her driving test, a boy trying to decide how to spend his dollar in a vending machine and a girl who is nervous about asking a boy out.
“It’s just really funny,” Director Robert Carrasco said. “It’s basically about facing failure … You have to be willing to fail, and if you’re going to fail you might as well make it epic.”
Carrasco said his students have been working hard and have come a long way since September.
“Many of them have never been on stage before,” he said. “They’re really excited for it. They’ve really come together as a cast.”
Performances are at 7 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihu‘e. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for students and can be purchased at the door or from cast members.
For more information contact Dennis McGraw at 651-2417.
