The Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre Rising Stars present their summer showcase this weekend only at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall, starting this evening.
“We start school Monday,” said Marly Madayag, the Summer Stars PM Program director, during Tuesday rehearsal, where students were getting a feel for working under the lights of the convention hall. “It’s been so long since we’ve been here.”
Tonight’s Rising Stars Showcase and Fundraiser features the Summer Stars AM Program for one night only, to showcase what they’ve learned through the summer.
“These are the little guys up to about 8 years old who have never had experience on stage,” Madayag said. “They’re really cute. This is their stage debut after learning through the summer under Carol Culver and Jake Lester.”
Rising Stars Showcase and Fundraiser also serves as a fundraiser for HCT. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the curtain rising at 6:30 p.m. All proceeds go to the HCT benefiting Kaua‘i’s youth.
Once doors open, guests can enjoy dinner at the hall, shop a variety of homemade baked goods, and check out the “lucky bucket” auction items from sponsors such as the Blue Dolphin Charters, Holo Holo Charters, Inc., Hukilau Lanai, Island Soap and Candle Works, Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventures, Kipu Ranch Adventures, the Koloa Landing Resort in Po‘ipu, Koloa Zipline, the Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course, The Beach House restaurant, The Cliffs at Princeville and more.
Additionally, guests are invited to join HCT walkers at the Kaua‘i Visitor Industry Charity Walk on Aug. 20 that supports the HCT and other Kaua‘i nonprofit organizations. Walkers who join the HCT walkers by today will earn 50 tickets for the “lucky bucket” auction.
Tickets for tonight’s festivities are $8 online at hawaiichildrenstheatre.org and $10 at the door.
On Friday and Saturday evenings with a Sunday matinee, the Summer Stars PM Program under Marly Madayag takes the stage at the convention hall with “Once on This Island, Jr.” The curtain rises at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 4 p.m. Sunday.
“The Summer Stars PM Program kids are from 7 years old through high school,” said Melissa McFerrin-Warrack, the Summer Stars co-director with Dolly Kanekuni, Trudi Shim and Vicki Cano-Braman. “They’re more mature than the AM Program kids, and a lot of them have stage experience gained through other HCT programs and previous Summer Stars programs.”
Tickets are $10 if purchased through a cast member, and $15 at the door or online.
“Through almost nonstop song and dance, this full-hearted musical tells the story of Ti Moune, a peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a wealthy boy from the other side of her island,” said Erin Gaines, the HCT administrative manager. “When Daniel is returned to his people, the fantastical gods who rule the island guide Ti Moune on a quest that will test the strength of her love against the powerful forces of prejudice, hatred and even death.”
“Students in the Summer Stars program have the opportunity to participate in a show from auditions to performance as well as learn valuable theatrical skills along the way,” said Gaines.
”These skills, taught through the context of the production materials, include singing, dancing, stage etiquette, improvisation, scene study and character expression through choreography. The culmination of this program is an experience students won’t soon forget — a performance onstage, in front of a live audience,” she said.
w Info: hawaiichildrenstheatre.org
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
