June 2015 Volume 100 • Issue 4

Inside This Issue A Lasting Partnership 1 Executive Director’s Message 2 In the Spotlight 3 Our Theatre, 1990 - 2015 4 DHT’s 100th Anniversary Gala 7 Take a Bow, John Rampage! 8

Coming Soon

A

Lasting July 17 - August 9, 2015 Partnership

Photography by Brad Goda

Diamond Head Theatre Salutes For example, many of DHT’s early shows were very similar to Nellie Forbush’s pro- Hawaii’s Troops Throughout the Years duction of The Thanksgiving Follies, which t’s the early 1940s. War is raging—and is performed outdoors for the sailors with September 25 - October 11, 2015 Iin the world of Rodgers and Hammer- volunteer actors and a low-budget set. stein, Navy nurse Nellie Forbush and Ma- But DHT’s military family members rine Lieutenant Joseph Cable are struggling aren’t just happy theatregoers; they’re with issues of race and creed on a remote happy performers as well. We’re proud to island in the South Pacific. Meanwhile, in showcase many of the Armed Forces’ finest the real-world Pacific, Pearl Harbor has talent in our shows, and are just as pleased just been bombed. This spurs the members that they find Diamond Head Theatre a of Diamond Head Theatre (then known as loving and nurturing second home. At the Honolulu Community Theatre) to under- theatre, they can find support and share December 4 - 20, 2015 take a new mission: entertaining Hawaii’s their experiences as they continue to serve military personnel. their country. South Pacific is no exception, Ever since then, Diamond Head Theatre with one-fourth of the cast bringing their has nurtured a rich, flourishing relationship backgrounds with the Army, Navy and with Hawaii’s armed forces that continues Coast Guard to the show. into our 100th anniversary season with our Cody Garner, who played Lt. Cable in recent production of South Pacific. the show, is actually a real lieutenant in the For Tickets Interestingly, in some ways South Pacific U.S. Navy. When asked how his experience Call 808.733.0274 or visit mirrors Diamond Head Theatre’s history. www.diamondheadtheatre.com CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 singling out our dedication to the arts. It was also clear Aloha from DHT’s that musicals reigned supreme (although everyone loved Mockingbird!). Executive Director Another loud-and-clear message was the wish for DHT to improve its facilities and amenities—especially with iamond Head Th eatre recently more bathroom stalls. We did recently add two stalls, but Demailed a questionnaire survey we’ll see if we can implement additional solutions prior to to subscribers. We wanted to get a the completion of our new theatre. Other repeated wish- better idea of things such as who this list items included more handicapped seating, more consis- loyal-subscriber audience actually is, tent air conditioning and improved seat conditions. whom they’re attending the theatre It’s clear that you want a new and improved DHT. with and, most importantly, how they We’re listening! In the meantime, here are a few responses feel about DHT. We were thrilled to from us: receive 605 responses and nearly 400 comments to the survey. Your feed- • Th e theatre is warmer in the second act because the back told us a lot. doors have been open during intermission. We’ll try One thing we learned was that our to get you back in faster! And we’ll keep an eye on the core DHT subscriber audience is well represented by baby thermostat. boomers (ages 56-70), at 48%. We also discovered that the • Th e seats and the angle will be rectifi ed (I promise) in over-70 crowd is strongly represented at 31%. Th at’s con- the new facility. In the interim, we will be re-cushion- sistent with what the arts-marketing gurus tell us—that ing some of the more seriously worn seat bottoms. our 70-plus seniors are an untapped resource. • Folks love our headphone sets (which assist in hear- Generation Xers are also represented at a very decent ing), but some don’t seem to know we have them. 19%. Obviously many busy families stretched thin with Drop by the Box Offi ce on show night and try them activities are not yet able to commit to a season, but hope- out! fully they attend on a show-by-show basis. It seems we • Some subscribers want classic musicals and some 2 don’t have subscribers (or at least any who responded) in want newer shows. We work hard to accommodate the ages 20-25 segment. Th at model works okay for us, as both every season, mixing the fresh-from-Broadway young, social adults are much more likely to pop in to a with well-known faves. Next season, for example, show versus subscribe. Hopefully we’ll get them hooked as we’ll feature Th e M o u s e t apr and Camelot, then Sister they get older … Act and Mamma Mia. In the longevity category, two groups of subscribers vied • We received a request for a parental rating code— for the prize. Twenty-nine percent have been subscribers interesting idea. We may try it, but we recognize for two to four years. Th at points to a new infl ux of people sensibilities are diff erent. who see the value in a subscription series, which is great • Th e dates for shows are chosen to accommodate the news. Our long-timers also played a role, with 28% being timing of things such as the building of sets, costumes subscribers for 10 years or more. that must be sewn, and casts that must be auditioned We also got an idea as to whom subscribers come to the and rehearsed. And, as much as we would like to, we theatre with: 50% with a partner or spouse, and 27% with usually cannot avoid the Super Bowl, the Punahou friends. We were also pleased to see that 6% bring their Carnival or Easter Sunday! children. One of my favorite theatre-attending families • Finally, regarding the comments for healthier or bet- includes a husband, wife and two sets of married children. ter snacks. We tried! No one purchased the high-end Now that’s a true “DHT-subscriber family”! chocolates, fruit or granola bars, but instead wanted Th e results regarding show times were interesting, too. their M&Ms back. A 7:30 p.m. curtain on weeknights was preferred by 72% of those who responded. While we can’t implement this for We are so grateful to all of you who took the time to the 2015-2016 season, the results do call for an exploration participate. Your responses provided tons of good ideas to of a time change. make your experience at DHT even better. Mahalo, and And fi nally, the comments. Happily, the overwhelming see you at the theatre! message was that subscribers love our theatre. Comment after comment complimented the wonderful shows, the volunteers and the staff . Many commended our commit- ment to artistry, praising the professional productions and In the Spotlight Denis K. Isono Board Member On the Board Less than six months, but we’ve been subscribers for almost 15 years Meet Members of Our Board Occupation Executive Vice Diamond Head Th eatre is honored to have 45 President and CFO, community leaders and theatre buff s serving Central Pacifi c Bank on our Board of Directors. We would like to First Job introduce you to some of our newer board Auto parts delivery person members and thank the entire board for their Favorite Travel Destination enthusiastic support. San Francisco Favorite DHT Moment Sitting in the audience for A Chorus Line Nigel Pentland Board Member On the Board Just over a year Occupation 3 Investor/Retired Elisia Flores Investment Banker Board Member First Job On the Board Investment Manager Since November in London 2014 Last Book Read Occupation Th e Strange Last Voyage of Donald Vice President Crowhurst by Nicholas Tomalin and and CFO, L&L Ron Hall Hawaiian Barbecue Favorite Travel Destination First Job I have too many: Hong Kong, Tokyo, Cashier at the Kahala L&L Northern Ireland, Italy. Last Book Read Favorite DHT Moment Th e Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins Show Boat—it was a huge and moving Favorite Travel Destination production of a very powerful show. As simple as it sounds, I love spending time in Los Angeles. Favorite DHT Moment Th e 100th Anniversary Gala!

Encore! is published by Diamond Head Th eatre, 520 Makapuu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816. Our Mission Statement Phone (808)733-0277 Writers Mary Calantoc, Deena Dray, Established in 1915, Diamond Head Th eatre is Facsimile (808)735-1250 Kathryn Mariko Lee the Broadway of the Pacifi c, producing the best live B o x O ffi c e (808)733-0274 Editor Stacy Pope community theatre entertainment and advancing www.diamondheadtheatre.com Graphic Designer Bernie Kim the theatre arts through education in Hawaii. Coordinator Mary Calantoc Many beloved aspects of our theatre that may seem to have been in Diamond Head Th eatre place “forever” at DHT were in fact launched in the last 25 years. Our summer Musical Th eatre Experience Celebrates 100 Years (MTE), for example, which to this day Presenting a Medley of Hit Moments from 1990 - 2015 is one of our most popular programs, was founded in 1994. In its fi rst year, MTE was taught by J. Tom Kidd and ver the last year, we’ve featured theatre’s new name, Diamond Head Rebecca Mae Silvey. Rebecca moved Ohighlights of Diamond Head Th eatre. Th ings revved up from there: to the Mainland the following year, so Th eatre’s colorful 100-year history in Since 1991, DHT has produced 157 Nanilisa Pascua was brought in to take celebration of our anniversary—and shows, seven of which were Hawaii over for her. Th e program has main- now we reach the fi nal quarter century premieres. We even showcased several tained its popularity over the years, of our retrospective. world-premiere productions written and this summer will welcome more Th e last 25 years kicked off with the by local talent and performed on our than 100 kids to perform in MTE I 1990-1991 season, the fi rst under the stage, such as You Somebody. and MTE II.

Scrooge Love Letters Jesus Christ Superstar with Tom Selleck 1990 and Carol Burnett 1993 1992

4 Steel Magnolias e Wizard Of Oz Seussical e Musical 2001 2003 2004

You Somebody Hairspray 2007 2011 Singin’ In e Rain 2012 Another favorite program, the Many of the original ShowKidz pher), their biggest roles started the day Shooting Stars, also had its start in are still performing on the DHT stage they commenced running the theatre the early 1990s. First known as the and some were recently seen perform- together almost 20 years ago. Th eir ShowKidz when it launched in 1995, ing in Diamond Head Th eatre’s 100th successful partnership, augmented the group was slated to perform as Anniversary Gala alongside the current by an extremely talented staff and a part of the children’s choir in a 1996 Shooting Stars and other alumni. hard-working Board of Directors, has tour of Joseph And Th e Amazing Two other well-known faces began brought artistic and fi nancial success for Technicolor Dreamcoat, which was set their relationship with Diamond Head the theatre. to come to Hawaii. Unfortunately the Th eatre in 1995: Executive Director Over the last 100 years, thousands tour canceled its Hawaii stop—but Deena Dray and Artistic Director John of people and stories have created the Diamond Head Th eatre was able to Rampage. Th e Board of Directors hired intricate fabric of our “Broadway of secure the rights to do the show and the Deena in September. In December, the Pacifi c”—if only we had room to ShowKidz, along with other local kids’ after an extensive local search, Deena include every one! We’re proud to carry choirs, performed in the showstopper. then hired John. forward this legacy and hope you will Th e group was renamed the Shooting Th ough both had been involved join us as we open the curtain on a new Stars in 1997, and the fi rst performance with the theatre before accepting their chapter. under the new name was the Stars’ very positions (Deena as board member and own version of Little Shop Of Horrors. John as actor, director and choreogra-

Cabaret 1996

e King And I 1998

Happily Eva Afta 1998

Beauty And e Beast Into e Woods 5 2005 2006

Legally Blonde MTE To Kill A Mockingbird 2013 2014 2015 DHT’s 100th Anniversary Gala A Magical Evening of Celebration

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 in the military added to his perfor- John Rampage and Loretta Ables sorts,’ and DHT training has helped mance, he answered, “Th e practice of Sayre turned to retired Command me to be an even better coach, teacher, military bearing was a big part of how Master Chief Mo Radke, who played facilitator and mentor.” Cable conducted himself and inter- Commander Harbison in the show. South Pacifi c certainly displayed a acted with superior offi cers, and there “Because of my military experience and wide range of the Armed Forces. As have been several distinct events during appreciation of honors and courtesies,” Navy CTI2 Richard Bragdon, who my time in the military that remind me he says, “I was able to help [the direc- played Navy pilot Lt. Buzz Adams, of Cable’s preparation for his mission tors] with proper positioning, saluting explains, “One thing that was impor- on Marie Louise Island.” and other idioms of that era.” tant to me was whether or not we were In the case of Erin Fasone, who Ironically, Mo notes that his own following the script when it said sailors, plays Nellie, she is happily married— military experiences didn’t help him army or marine. Most people just not to a mysterious French man, but form his role in the show. lump them all together and call them a loveable Army captain named Joe. “I really disliked Commander military, but each service attracts a 6 “Th e Army has been wonderful to my Harbison,” he says. “He was a lecher- distinct personality. Not only that, but family,” Erin says. “I’ve had the op- ous goon who, while maintaining a break it down even further and each portunity to travel to new places, meet modicum of military decorum, had an rate, or job, in the Navy attracts certain new people and sing with amazing almost open disdain for his command- personalities. So knowing whether we musicians.” ing offi cer. So no, I didn’t draw from were Seabees or radiomen was more Erin adds that “it can be hard to my military experiences, thankfully.” important than you might realize.” be the new girl in a completely new He admits, however, that he’s very However, as Richard says, “regulations environment, but I try to be brave and much like another character he played change, policies change, even some cus- try new things.” For instance, a DHT in an earlier show this season: Army toms change—but what never changes show. She likens herself to her char- Corporal Ralph Sheldrake [from Irving is the people.” acter, saying, “Nellie is in a completely Berlin’s White Christmas]. Mo describes And what fi ne people have come new environment in the South Pacifi c, him as “kind of a wheeler/dealer, who to us through our relationship with and I think that she was looking to might miss the intricacies of an inside Hawaii’s Armed Forces. Still, when broaden her horizons by serving in the joke … I really enjoyed that role.” it comes to meeting new faces, we Navy Nurse Corps. We see her charac- Regardless of the role, Mo enjoys recognize that our military ohana has ter arc from a naive girl-next-door from every minute with his DHT ohana, it kind of tough. Life on base can be Arkansas to a confi dent, responsible since the moment his wife convinced isolating, and going to a club, the beach woman of the world. I have never been him to audition for Showboat last or one of the island’s many shopping through anything like that,” she admits. season. malls doesn’t always provide an op- “But I knew going into this that she “Th e DHT family is spectacular!” portunity to create fulfi lling and lasting was an unbelievably strong character he says. “It was indeed an honor to relationships with people. Th at’s why and that I was responsible for taking participate in shows of this type and Diamond Head Th eatre is so proud to care of her and telling her story.” caliber at this stage of my life. I’m have provided such a unique and sup- “Telling the story” is the primary always looking to learn new things and portive environment, onstage and off , goal of any production at DHT, but stretch the envelope of what I think for Seabees and civilians alike. it proved more challenging than usual and feel I can do.” Mo adds that “this when staging South Pacifi c. Accurate foray into theater has even helped with ~KML portrayal of naval bearing and man- teaching golf and teaching a transition nerisms was critical, so Directors seminar. Both careers are ‘stages of DHT’s 100th Anniversary Gala A Magical Evening of Celebration

n April 25, a standing-room- dedicated volunteers. Our day began of DHT, who belted out show tunes Oonly crowd gathered at Sheraton midmorning, with performers arriving that set the crowd whooping and Waikiki to celebrate 100 years of for rehearsals. And, before we knew it, hollering. And the fi nale was perfect: a Diamond Head Th eatre. And what an it was time for the show—even though special performance by DHT’s Tony- evening it was! we’d been in the ballroom the entire nominated alum, Loretta Ables Sayre, More than two years ago, when the day. All the hard work paid off when singing “Bali Hai.” Th e evening was planning for this special fundraising the lights dimmed and the show com- over all too soon. event began, John and Deena deter- menced. We’re so grateful to everyone mined a vision for the night. Th ey From the moment the hula chanting who celebrated with us. We’re also wanted it to be memorable, unique and began, the room was charged with an grateful for the wonderful DHT@100 a true celebration of 100 years. Th ey energy and excitement that continued committee, skillfully chaired by Steven vowed no speeches, no auctions—just to build from one act to the next (acts Ai and Sisi Takaki; the fabulous pure fun. Th e night was exactly that, were positioned between the dining Sheraton Waikiki, for their generosity 7 with table donors and their guests courses). Act One presented a Broad- and perfect setting; Current Aff airs, for genuinely dazzled. way medley featuring some of DHT’s providing elegance and fun; and to our Although the event was executed best and brightest. Act Two featured amazing staff and Board of Directors. with perfection, a lot of hard work the Shooting Stars—both current and One hundred years is an impressive was behind it, including the eff orts of alumni, from as far back as 1995. Act milestone, and we could not be more more than 50 performers and countless Th ree showcased Th e Leading Ladies proud of our remarkable institution. NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

520 Makapuu Avenue PAID HONOLULU, HAWAII Honolulu, HI 96816 PERMIT NO. 260

8 Take a Bow, John Rampage! The National Society of Arts and Letters Applauds DHT’s Artistic Director n May 4, DHT’s esteemed artistic director, OJohn Rampage, was honored at the National Society of Arts and Letters Roselani Gala Dinner. The Pacific Club was overflowing with friends, supporters and fans, including U.S. Congress- man Mark Takai, who presented John with a special tribute. It was also an evening of entertainment from those who have had the pleasure of perform- ing for and with John over the years, including a surprise performance from both current and alumni Shooting Stars. The Stars performed their amazing “Campaign” number from The Will Rogers Follies with the lyrics rewritten just for “Mr. John,” who is still the group’s director. It was a great night to celebrate John and the amazing impact he’s had on so many people at Diamond Head Theatre and beyond.