HONOLULU, HI—Kumu Kahua Theatre is proud to announce their 46th season of productions.
“This season, our work has been quite edgy and confrontational,” says Managing Director Donna Blanchard. “We’re not backing away from our signature brave style of local playwriting, but we’re finishing our 45th year with Susan Soon He Stanton’s comedy, #iambadatthis, and that show will usher in a gentler, yet quite clever and passionate, season of shows.”
Artistic Director Harry Wong III collaborates with a Play Development Committee throughout the year to help develop playwrights and their scripts; he then assembles the season of shows. He also pairs production directors with each of the scripts and oversees all elements of the process to ensure the five season plays will present unified visions of each script.
Harry, Donna and the Kumu Kahua Theatre Board of Directors are pleased to announce, the Kumu Kahua Theatre 46thSeason:
UchinaAloha
World Premiere by Lee A. Tonouchi
Directed by Reiko Ho
Charming Tradition vs. Change Comedy
“Da Pidgin Guerilla” Lee A. Tonouchi brings us a warm tale of generations of an Okinawan family in Hawai‘i in his story about the change that any culture experiences when it is relocated. Grandfather wants to play music the way it is played in Okinawa, but his grandson wants to combine tradition with more modern methods and the mix of culture found in Hawai‘i.
August 25 – October *2, 2016
(*Please note, there will be no performances of UchinaAloha September 22-25; we will host Improvaganza that weekend)
iHula
World Premiere by Ryan Okinaka
Directed by Harry Wong III
Hālau Family Drama
The art of hula is interwoven into this story about four very different young women.
Kumu `Iwalani is trying her hardest to pass on her love for hula and the knowledge she has learned from her Kūpuna to her students, a task that gets harder to do to with each passing generation.
November 3 – December 4, 2016
(No show Thursday, November 24 – Thanksgiving)
Buffalo’ed
Hawai‘i Premiere by Jeannie Barroga
Directed by Reb Beau Allen
Drama of Our Forgotten History
The Buffalo Soldiers were primarily in the U.S. cavalry assembled during the Civil War. Their bravery impressed everyone and they were ‘invited’ to participate in more wars for ‘freedom’ worldwide: the Spanish-American War, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Cuba, then Hawai‘i and Alaska, the Boxer Rebellion and the Philippine War for Independence.
January 26 – February 26, 2017
(No show Super Bowl Sunday, February 5)
Black Faggot and Puzzy – Two One-Act Plays
Hawai‘i Premiere by Victor Rodger and Kiki
Directed by Taurie Kinoshita and Anapela Polataivao
Clever and Rancorous Comedies
Through strong male and female voices, these poignant one-act plays allow you to eavesdrop on monologues and scenes that illustrate a broad spectrum of individuals experiencing homosexuality.
March 30 – April 30, 2017
(No show Easter Sunday, April 16)
Uncle’s Regularly Scheduled Garage Party is CANCELLED Tonight!
World Premiere by Lee Cataluna
Directed by Harry Wong III
Neighborhood Montage Comedy
Uncle’s regularly scheduled garage party is cancelled for the first time in — ever! The usual attendees show up and process their shock over the cancellation– while they eat, drink, talk story and play music. The old friends spend the evening telling stories, laughing and sharing food. But it’s not a party, because Uncle’s regularly scheduled garage party is CANCELLED!
June 1 – July 2, 2017
*American Sign Language Interpretation upon request
For the first time in more than ten years, ticket prices at Kumu Kahua Theatre will be slightly increased to a maximum of $25 for adult tickets. Subscriptions will only be increased by $5 for the entire season.
“Though we have to submit to the rising cost of living, we believe these new prices are manageable and – as always – we considered our subscribers foremost with the price increase,” says Kumu Kahua Theatre Board President, Jim Murphy. “Our prices will still be among the lowest for live theatre on the island and subscriber rates will only be higher by $1 per show. We hope this will encourage many more people to subscribe to our award winning theatre and help ensure that our mission to develop and produce local plays with local talent will continue for many generations to come.”
You can purchase tickets and subscriptions by visiting the Kumu Kahua Theatre website at kumukahua.org, by calling the box office at 536-4441 or visiting at 46 Merchant Street (box office hours are Mon-Fri, 11am-3pm.
Our productions are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
Some of our shows may not be suitable for more sensitive viewers. Please call the box office if you have any questions about content of specific productions.
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 The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, The Hawai‘i Community Foundation, McInerny Foundation (Bank of Hawai‘i, 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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