HONOLULU, HI—Kumu Kahua Theatre announced its 45th season, to be produced at their home at 46 Merchant Street in downtown Honolulu. The announcement was held at Kaka‘ako Agora for the second consecutive year, during their June Ka Boom festivities.
“All of the shows in this season are fresh and modern.” Says KKT Managing Director, Donna Blanchard. “These are very exciting, risky and brave pieces that tackle the drama, comedy and tragedy of reality in life on this island right now.”
Managing Director, Donna Blanchard, thanked guests for celebrating another year of relatively unknown productions. She then introduced Artistic Director, Harry Wong III, who talked about each of the shows in the upcoming season.
Dann Seki, President of the Kumu Kahua Theatre board, gave a toast to the health of the organization for a creatively courageous and lucrative new year.
Actor, director, and Kumu Kahua Theatre Office Manager, Wil Kāhele, then introduced the first show of the season, which was presented in a dramatic table reading.
The productions in the 45th season, which runs from August 2015 through June of 2016 are:
Joker
by Yilong Liu August 27 – September 27, 2015
Set around the fight for marriage equality in Hawai‘i, Joe’s normal, simple life unravels as a promise kept is threatened by a visit of a man from his past.
“What a manipulative creature you still are, Joker.” “You can’t sit out this fight anymore, friend. Whether you like it or not, change is coming.”
My Boy He Play Ball
A world premiere by Tammy Haili‘opua Baker November 5 – December 6, 2015
Family bonds are strained when a local high school football star is forced to make a decision about his mainland school scholarship.
“Prove to me how bad you want this. You gotta be hungry to play.”
Not One Batu
A world premiere by Hannah Ii-Epstein January 21 – February 21, 2016
An intimate look at a family’s struggle with the ice epidemic in Hawai‘i.
“If you like survive dis business, no act wit me. Dere’s worse guys out dere dat would kill you fo’ dis.”
Pelicans
A world premiere by Eric Yokomori March 24 – April 24, 2016
Yokomori returns to Kumu Kahua with a darkly humorous revenge-comedy of disaffected kids.
“Yo, dawgs. Red alert, yo. We’s be entering a existential crossroads.”
#iambadatthis
A world premiere by Susan Soon He Stanton May 26 – June 26, 2016
Emily is a young woman completely connected to the grid, but unplugged from life in this real life comedy about the now.
“When you broke up with me via text message, I was crossing the street and got hit by a car. Not like, terribly so, but you know, it happened.”
Kumu Kahua productions are supported in part by The Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and Arts through appropriations from the Legislature of the State of Hawai‘i and by the National Endowment for the Arts. Also paid for in part by the taxpayers of the City & County of Honolulu; the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts; The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, McInerny Foundation (Bank of Hawaii, Trustee); Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) Charitable Foundation, The Atherton Foundation and Hawaiian Electric Company; The Star-Advertiser and other foundations, businesses and patrons.
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