Kennedy Theatre announces 50th anniversary season in 2013-14
University of Hawaiʻi at MānoaDirector of Publicity, Kennedy Theatre
Kennedy Theatre Box Office, (808) 956-7655
Kennedy Theatre
ON THE MAINSTAGE
Big Love
Sept 27, 28, Oct 3, 4, 5 at 8pm; Oct 6 at 2pm
By Charles L. Mee
Directed by Ian Belton, UHM Professor of Theatre
Original Music by Brendan Connelly
This modern take on the oldest Western play known to wo/mankind might be described as My Big Fat Greek Wedding meets Runaway Bride rolled up in The Suppliants by Aeschylus. Indeed, what could be bigger than 50 grooms for 50 brides, all in celebration of 50 years of Kennedy Theatre? On the wild ride of this dark romantic comedy with its twists and turns of gender politics, a big musical number, arranged marriages and divine intervention, only Big Love survives. Or does it?
Free pre-show chats: Sat Sept 28 and Oct 5 at 7pm
UHM Student Buy-One-Get-One Free Night: Thurs Oct 3
Ticket prices: $13 to $25; UH Mānoa students with valid ID: $5
Look Back: Move Forward
Anniversary Dance Concert
Nov 15, 16, 22, 23 at 8pm; Nov 24 at 2pm
Directed by Betsy Fisher, UHM Professor of Dance
Guest Choreographers: Yukie Shiroma, Tony Young, Andrew Sakaguchi, Vicky Holt Takamine, Cheryl Flaharty and Jean Erdman
In celebration of 50 years of dance at Kennedy Theatre, alumni choreographers return to the place where their choreographic artistry began, with pieces performed by current UHM dancers. Featured choreography will include: Kamapua`a, a section from Cheryl Flaharty’s IONA Contemporary Dance Theater production of Hawaiian Myths and Legends; Jean Erdman's Hamadryad; a contemporary Okinawan dance by Yukie Shiroma; and an interweaving of Hula and Bharata Natyam by Vicky Holt Takamine and Anita Vallabh. Special anniversary tributes include Blue-Green by Carl Wolz, founder of the UHM Dance Program and One Deep Breath, a video installation celebrating Kennedy Theatre’s dance history that will be projected on and around the Kennedy Theatre building.
Free pre-show chats: Sat Nov 16 and 23 at 7pm
UHM Student Buy-One-Get-One Free Night: Fri Nov 22
Ticket prices: $13 to $25; UH Mānoa students with valid ID: $5
Lady Mu and the Yang Family Generals
Jingju (Beijing Opera) performed in English
Feb 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, March 1 at 8pm
Feb 23 and March 2 at 2pm
Original Performance Text: Master Mei Lanfang
Overall Artistic Supervision: Madam Shen Xiaomei
Adaptation and Training: Lu Genzhang & Zhang Ling (actors) and Zhang Xigui (musicians)
Translation: Elizabeth Wichmann-Walczak & Chang Hui-Mei
Director & Producer: Elizabeth Wichmann-Walczak
Martial Performance Director: Nicolas Logue
Musical Director: Frederick Lau
Renowned Jingju master Mei Lanfang’s crowning artistic achievement explores issues such as personal ethics versus familial and national duty, and the power of youthful exuberance versus the wisdom of age, in a splendidly-costumed theatrical spectacle of acting, combat, dance, music and song.
Like Kennedy Theatre, Jingju at the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa is celebrating its 50th anniversary, brought to life by UHM students, faculty and guest artists. This is also the 30th year that Madame Shen Xiaomei and UHM Theatre Professor Elizabeth Wichmann-Walczak have collaborated to produce long-term, intensive training residencies taught by major Jingju artists from China and culminating in lavishly-staged English-language productions. There is no other university outside of China that is able to produce Jingju as regularly or as often or on this scale of spectacle and authenticity as UHM. Come celebrate with us!
Free Pre-show Chats: Sat Feb 22 and March 1 at 7pm
UHM Student Buy-One-Get-One Free Nights: Thurs Feb 27 and Fri Feb 28
Ticket prices: $13 to $25; UH Mānoa students with valid ID: $5
The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip
April 11, 12, 18, 19 at 7:30pm; April 20 at 2pm
A musical based on the novel by George Saunders
Book and lyrics by Doug Cooney
Music by David O
Directed by Mark Branner, UHM Professor of Theatre
Come get GAPPED! What do you do when hundreds of little orange monsters shriek with delight at the sight of your family's goat? This tuneful, hilarious and wildly theatrical musical for the young at heart is presented by quick-changing actors and a bevy of bright, orange, gleefully-squealing, goat-loving puppets--all accompanied by a toy piano! Based on an acclaimed book, all ages will love this story of how one person with brains and determination can make a difference.
Join us at the Easter Sunday matinee for a post-show “Gappers” egg hunt!
Pre-show events on Sat April 12 and 19 at 6:30pm
UHM Student Buy-One-Get-One Free Night: Fri April 18
Ticket prices: $13 to $20; UH Mānoa students with valid ID: $5
Mainstage Ticket Info:
Special 50th Anniversary Combo: Join us for each of the mainstage productions as we pay tribute to 50 golden years. Get one ticket to each of the 4 mainstage productions for just $50 (service fees included). You’ll save 50% in honor of 50 years over the price of individual tickets!
Advanced Supersaver Tickets: Pick and choose which Mainstage shows you want to see but still save over regular ticket prices by buying early!
50th Anniversary Combo and Advanced Supersaver Tickets will be on sale from July 15 until Sept 1 by mail order, online at www.etickethawaii.com and by phone at 944-2697.
Regularly priced tickets to all Mainstage and Prime Time productions will go on sale on Sept 9 online, at outlets, by phone at 944-2697, and at Kennedy Theatre.
PRIME TIME IN THE EARLE ERNST LAB THEATRE
The Prime Time series focuses on the thesis work of BFA and MFA students in Theatre and Dance.
The Wild Party
Oct 23, 24, 25, 26 at 8pm, Oct 27 at 2pm
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Based on the poem by Joseph Moncure March
Directed by Brittni Michele Shambaugh, MFA Directing Candidate
Sex, Drugs, Alcohol and Vaudeville! This gritty musical set in the 1920s explores what happens when emotionally vulnerable and sexually hungry performers get together during the age of Prohibition. Does the party overtake the individual? Is the humanity lost in the chaos? What is left at the conclusion of this riotous night? Come dressed in your best roaring twenties attire and be part of the wildest party in town!
Ticket prices: $13 to $18; UH Mānoa students with valid ID: $5
very still & hard to see
March 12, 13, 14, 15 at 8pm; March 16 at 2pm
By Steve Yockey
Directed by Alex Munro, MFA Directing Candidate
An architect encounters an obake, a Japanese shape-shifting demon, while building a hotel over her lair, and makes a deal that will shape the hotel and the people who stay there. Over the course of seven short plays, we follow the history of the hotel and the influence the obake has over its guests. This short play cycle blurs the line between reality and fantasy as characters deal with everyday problems amidst supernatural forces.
Ticket prices: $13 to $18; UH Mānoa students with valid ID: $5
Winter Footholds
Jan 29, 30, 31, Feb 1 at 8pm; Feb 2 at 2pm
Spring Footholds
April 23, 24, 25, 26 at 8pm; April 27 at 2pm
Both of these dance programs feature the culminating work of MFA and BFA dance candidates as well as other new work created by student choreographers and performers.
Ticket prices: $13 to $18; UH Mānoa students with valid ID: $5
Post show raps will follow the Friday evening performances of each Prime Time production.
Prime Time Ticket Info:
Regularly priced tickets to all Mainstage and Prime Time productions will go on sale on Sept 9 online, at outlets, by phone at 944-2697, and at Kennedy Theatre.
LATE NIGHT IN THE EARLE ERNST LAB THEATRE
Late Night in the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre performs at a student-friendly late night hour. Works are bare-bones, experimental, quirky and often edgy. Titles are chosen by a student board who oversees all aspects of the program.
Identity Crisis
Sept 27, 28, Oct 4, 5 at 11pm
Directed by Kathryn Holt, MA Student in Dance
A dance concert featuring student-choreographed work centered on the theme of place and identity.
Ticket prices: $8 to $10; UH Mānoa students with valid ID: $5
Queens of the Night
Nov 16, 22, and 23 at 11pm; Nov 17 at 8pm
Written and directed by Alex Rogals, PhD Candidate
Inspired by the same 1933 incident that was Genet's inspiration for The Maids, where two sisters/maids murdered their female employer and her adult daughter. Director Alex Rogals will draw on two distinct performance styles, Charles Ludlam’s Theater of the Ridiculous and Japanese kyōgen.
Ticket prices: $8 to $10; UH Mānoa students with valid ID: $5
Spring 2014 Late Night Production
Apr 11, 12, 18, 19 at 10pm
We look forward to announcing our Spring production later this fall — and to seeing you there in the spring!
Ticket prices: $8 to $10; UH Mānoa students with valid ID: $5
Late Night Ticket Info:
Tickets to Late Night Theatre productions only go on sale at the Kennedy Theatre Box Office beginning one hour before the performance is scheduled to begin.
Thanks to the following for making this season possible:
The Office of the Chancellor, University of Hawai`i at Mānoa
John Chin Young Foundation
Hung Wo and Elizabeth Lau Ching Foundation
The Student Activity and Program Fee Board
UH Mānoa Student Equity, Excellence and Diversity Office
Dance Pioneers
The Hawai`i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts
The Friends of Kennedy Theatre
UH Mānoa Center for Japanese Studies
Office of the Dean, College of Arts and Humanities, UH Mānoa
Waikiki Parc Hotel, Hospitality Sponsor for the Arts at UH Mānoa
Mayor’s Office on Culture and the Arts
Norma Bird Nichols, PhD Asian Theatre Endowment Fund
UH Mānoa National Resource Center East Asia
Ticket Information
Kennedy Theatre Box Office
Open Mon-Fri from 10am – 1pm during sale periods only
(808) 956-7655
Online Ticket Sales
www.etickethawaii.com (24/7)
Phone orders
944-2697 (M-F, 9am – 5pm)
Outlets
UHM Campus Center, Stan Sheriff Center Ticket Office, and Rainbowtique Ward Center beginning Sept 9
Service charges
All service charges are included in advertised prices. Prices are the same whether you purchase online, by phone, at outlets, or at the box office.
Discount Pricing
Discounts are available for senior citizens (60+), military (2 per ID), UH faculty/staff (2 per ID), students, and UHAA members. ID required.
Group Discounts
Available for groups of 10 or more for most mainstage events. Contact the Box Office for more information.
Specials for UH Manoa Students
UHM students are eligible for reduced prices and special buy-one-get-one free (BOGO) nights. Go to www.hawaii.edu/kennedy or call 956-7655 for more information. UHM Validated Photo ID required for special pricing. Students without validation may purchase a ticket at regular student prices. These special UHM ticket programs are generously funded by the Student Activity and Program Fee Board.
For More Information:
www.hawaii.edu/kennedy
email: ktbox@hawaii.edu
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Box Office: (808) 956-7655, M-F, 10am to 1pm
For more information, visit: http://hawaii.edu/kennedy/50.php