December 2014 Volume 100 • Issue 2

Inside This Issue Silver Stars Shine 1 Executive Director’s Message 2 Volunteer of the Year 3 Our Theatre, 1941 to 1965 4 2014 ‘Ilima Awards 6 Flood at DHT! 8

Coming Soon

Dec. 5 - 23, 2014

Silver Stars Shine Jan. 30 - Feb. 15, 2015 whom are 60 years old or more—as they DHT’s Popular Dance joke with each other about life and the Class Thrives on Fun, latest dance steps. And when it’s time for class to start, these “silver stars” channel Fitness and Friends their rambunctious energy into the fun t’s a typical Tuesday morning at and freedom of moving to the beat. IDiamond Head Theatre. Dim sunlight Taught by our multitalented artistic filters in through the jalousie windows director, John Rampage (whom the ladies of the rehearsal hall, casting the room in absolutely adore), the class is modeled as March 27 - April 12, 2015 shades of blue and gray. All is calm, silent, a seniors-exclusive version of his wildly as the theatre sleeps during its dormant successful Broadway Jazz class. It provides daytime hours. Then lights suddenly a fun and safe environment for students flood the room as the boisterous women to dance without the pressure of keeping of DHT’s Silver Stars dance class enter, up with younger generations, and has banishing the silence with their laughter attracted many new and happy faces to our and conversation. vibrant theatre community. For Tickets It’s impossible not to get caught up in Call 808.733.0274 or visit the exuberance of the students—most of CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 www.diamondheadtheatre.com CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Mahalo to Beth Fincke, Our 2014 Volunteer of the Year

can only describe the Diamond IHead Theatre Costume Shop as a magical forest of clothes. Floor-to- ceiling clothing racks tower like trees, canopied with anything from the sparkling purple of a fairy’s dress to the patchy brown of a shipwrecked-pirate’s “If it wasn’t for John, I wouldn’t The spirited women of Silver Stars “Set your own goals, and don’t compare trousers. be here,” says new student Candy agree that the friendships they build yourself to how someone else is doing in In the midst of it all, our Volunteer Cassarno with a big smile. “It’s great to dancing together are the very best part the class. Come into it thinking, ‘This is of the Year, Beth Fincke, works like expand beyond the people you know of the experience. Whether they’re fun. I have time to do something I never the world’s most organized wood instead of sticking to your own safe putting the sultry slink and brassy got to do when I was younger.’ If it’s sprite, neatly folding and stacking the group. Coming to class is my reward sass of “All That Jazz” to movement, something you wanted to do all your life, myriad articles of clothing that call the second Sunday actually make entire costumes, but I for the day.” or laughing at the shared difficulty then do it, no matter what your age.” Costume Shop home. Through her matinee of may have done the surging on pieces For Aileen Kawakami, Silver Stars of dancing within their designated And if the beaming faces at the end of exemplary service at DHT, from taking every show of fabric that Brenda [DHT’s costume is the first dance class she has ever “swimming lanes” (as John likes to class are any indication, the lovely ladies up dress hems to audio-describing for the blind. assistant] or Karen [DHT’s costume taken. “It’s lots of fun,” she says. “At my put it), this rowdy bunch always has a of Silver Stars are doing just that. shows for the visually impaired, Beth There are director] have cut, or altered the hems, last class reunion, I couldn’t get up and blast together. -KML has shown just how great an impact now only four etc. It’s all about being a part of the dance. I was a wallflower, so this class “It’s never too late to start dancing,” one person can have. While I joined of us. Three, whole, learning new things and the is my ‘coming out’ experience.” John points out once the class is over. in the sorting of brightly sequined including camaraderie of being with people who blouses, Beth took the time to share myself, are are like-minded. her story with me. from the original 12, 2 KML: Do you have a most rewarding 3 Aloha from DHT’s percent from Aiea/Pearl City, and 3 boomers. I’m intrigued myself—and KML: How long have you been and one is new. Beth Fincke DHT moment? percent from Waipahu and Wahiawa. since it’s not a matter of simply sorting volunteering at DHT? Beth: I can’t give you a specific Executive Director We have folks coming in from Mililani zip codes, we’re going to ask you. It Beth: Twenty-nine years. I was in the KML: What’s the most fulfilling part of moment. But sometimes when I’m in a Recently I worked on a report for our (4 percent), would be helpful to find out a few of DHT production of Oklahoma in volunteering here? show and listening to feedback during board of directors to determine which Kapolei (2 these things so we can better know how 1985 and Peg Birnie, the costumer Beth: Being part of an enterprise that Talk Back Sunday, someone will say, parts of Oahu our subscribers come percent) and to communicate with you (i.e., email or at the time, came into rehearsal and needs all kinds of people with different “I saw the show in New York and this from, and the results were an eye- Ewa Beach snail mail), pick shows, plan events and said, “Unless we can get help in the talents to function. That’s the cool part is an even better production.” You can opener. (2 percent). so forth. Please keep your eye out for Costume Shop, some people are of theater—there’s always room for tell they’re not just trying to be nice. As expected, about 30 percent hail Downtown our quick and easy survey. going to have to leave the cast.” I was someone to do something, especially They really mean it, and I think that’s from nearby neighborhoods—Kahala, residents In the meantime, as we approach planning on helping anyway, so that’s in a community theatre, where they wonderful. For me, it all goes back to Kaimuki, Aina Haina and Kai. comprise 4 the season when we remember to give when I got started—and I never quit! rely on volunteers. No matter what being part of something really special Let’s face it—we know people don’t percent of the thanks, I give thanks to you—our you do, it’s an important part of the with equally special people. like to drive far in Hawaii! But what total, but that island-wide (and then some) family of KML: What do you do when you bigger picture. For instance, I don’t -KML was surprising is how many do drive could be because subscribers and donors. And to that one volunteer? some distance to come to DHT. We some people have their DHT mail subscriber from Molokai—you rock! Beth: The fun thing about working in have subscribers from as far away as sent to their offices (we have not yet the Costume Shop is that you get to do Waianae, Haleiwa/Waialua and even dug deeper to find out). all sorts of different jobs, from letting Hauula. Now that’s devotion! My next research project is to down hems of costumes to spray- The report also divulged that answer an American Association of painting shoes or designing hats—and many of our fans come from Kailua Community Theatres survey as to of course, sorting clothes and doing and Kaneohe (15 percent), another 4 how many of our patrons are baby laundry. One of my major skills is that I can organize and find places to put things as our costume collection grows. Often I do the job of sorting and folding costumes, boxing them by is published by Diamond Head Theatre, 520 Makapuu Avenue, , HI 96816. Encore! Our Mission Statement show and putting them away. I’m also Phone (808)733-0277 Writers Deena Dray, Kathryn Mariko Lee Established in 1915, Diamond Head Theatre is one of the original 12 audio describers Facsimile (808)735-1250 and Mary Calantoc the Broadway of the Pacific, producing the best live Box Office (808)733-0274 Editor Stacy Pope community theatre entertainment and advancing from when they first started the www.diamondheadtheatre.com Graphic Designer Bernie Kim the theatre arts through education in Hawai‘i. program 13 years ago. We describe the Coordinator Mary Calantoc t Honolulu Community tradition that ‘the show must go on,’ but time, HCT was able to gain permission This gave HCT use of the theatre as Theatre (today called Diamond we also felt a moral obligation to utilize Diamond Head Theatre to perform shows whose rights were well as a workshop near Fort Shafter AHead Theatre), the year 1941 our talent and facilities in providing not typically given to anyone outside of in exchange for assistance with the was in most ways similar to those some measure of entertainment for the Manhattan, such as Arthur Miller’s All Theater Guild’s productions, a promise before it. The theatre produced four men in the Armed Forces stationed on My Sons, which the company staged in to utilize military personnel in the shows at ’s Dillingham America’s front line of defense.” 1947. casts and crews of HCT shows, and Hall, its home at the time. The final The company was soon staging Celebrates 100 John Halliday had moved to Oahu use of HCT’s equipment and stage production of the year was Mr. & public performances as well as touring Our Retrospective Continues with the Years 1941 - 1965 in the late 1930s and was very active settings. The lease states that the Mrs. North, which closed on Dec. 6. shows for the servicemen stationed in the theatre scene in Hawaii. He partnership was “to assist each other Members of the cast were still out in Hawaii. From Dec. 21, 1941 until appeared in many HCT shows and in their common aim of furthering celebrating when the bombing of Pearl Dec. 31, 1945, HCT produced 14 participated in some way in every one the fine-arts program available to both Harbor began on Dec. 7. shows that were performed throughout of its productions during the decade the military and civilian communities,”

Mr. & Mrs. North (1941) The Doughgirls(1944) Sargent Kahanamoku (1947) The Women (1949) The Blue Bird(1949) Teahouse Of The August Moon (1954) The Sound Of Music (1961) Naauao (1962)

My Sister Eileen (1941) H.M.S. Pinafore - 1st Rehearsal (1945) H.M.S. Pinafore (1945) Joe E. Lewis (1950) Brigadoon (1953) Diary Of Anne Frank (1958) Teahouse (1959) Bette Midler (1964)

After absorbing the shock of the Hawaii. Ten Nights In A Barroom was blackouts to lend dramatic effect) quite servicemen who were denied admission he resided on the island. On HCT’s which culminated in the first HCT 4 event and the realization that the U.S. the first, opening just two weeks after difficult. Then, during the occasional stood in the doorway, which was board of directors, Halliday helped out performance at Fort Ruger Theatre: 5 would be at war, HCT’s leadership sat the Pearl Harbor blitz. The show ran evening shows, the lights would go off guarded by military police, and listened wherever he was needed during those The Taming Of The Shrew in June of down to figure out what the theatre’s periodically from Christmas of 1941 and the stage would have to be lit by to the show outside the auditorium. war years. He even helped produce 1952. role would be moving forward. Many through July 5, 1942, touring to various flashlights. HCT still performed for the Armed Blackout Review, a play created for the The years 1941 to 1965 saw many of the actors, staff and board members venues. Of its 21 performances, nine The most successful HCT play Forces after the war was over, but at servicemen and in which Halliday was well-known names grace the stage had quickly become scattered after were for Army personnel, four were performed during the war years was last could bring the servicemen to the master of ceremonies. of Honolulu Community Theatre, taking military positions—such as for Navy, two were for Marines, four The Doughgirls, which ran for a total shows instead It would not be until 1951, however, including local celebrities such as Technical Director Norman Grant, were for war workers and two were for of 64 performances from March to of taking the that HCT would have a permanent Kinau Wilder, Governor William F. who worked in the Army camouflage civilians. June of 1944. Forty-nine of these shows to the home again. The company had Quinn and Sargent Kahanamoku division on Oahu. Once Dillingham Performances were held in a performances were exclusively for servicemen. embarked on a mission to raise funds (brother of Duke Kahanamoku), as Hall was converted from a theatre into variety of spaces in various camps, servicemen. The company’s final The theatre to build a new theatre-arts facility in well as the internationally known an office building for the United States and the outdoor shows often led to wartime production was H.M.S. continued , which would house Honolulu Dame Judith Anderson, Joe Brown, Engineering Department, the company much frustration and amusement. Pinafore, which opened June 21, to produce Community Theatre as well as other James Cardwell, Bette Midler and Soo also lost its main performing space. During productions at Pearl Harbor 1945 at the Roosevelt High School high-quality arts organizations in the area. This Yong. During this quarter-century, Honolulu Community Theatre and Wheeler Army Airfield, actors auditorium. At the time there was performances facility never got very far into the HCT produced more than 150 decided to shift its focus to sometimes had to wait for planes an influenza epidemic in Honolulu, on Oahu planning stages, but HCT continued shows for both the local and military entertaining U.S. service personnel to pass overhead before delivering so the play was declared “off bounds” and was even to solicit support for a facility of its population on Oahu, toured around in Hawaii in addition to the private their lines. Occasionally, dogs would for members of the Armed Forces. John Halliday able to secure own. The answer came in the form the Islands during wartime to provide citizens of Honolulu. At the time, wander onto the stage for their own Special permission was granted for exclusive rights to many shows being of Fort Ruger Theatre, our current entertainment and settled into what HCT President H.W. Boynton 15 minutes of fame. Plays were often the service members in the cast to produced on Broadway. Thanks to a home. In November of 1951, HCT would become the company’s home for commented that “not only did we feel a performed in broad daylight, which continue performing, as long as they relationship with John Halliday, a well- signed a five-year lease agreement the next 50 years. responsibility to carry on the theatrical made lighting cues (such as total didn’t mingle with the audience. Many known screen and stage actor of the with the USARPAC Theater Guild. -MC DHT’s 2014 Honolulu Star-Advertiser ‘Ilima Awards very fall, Diamond Head Theatre everyone laughing and applauding. With tickets sales covering less than Ehosts its annual fundraising event, Following the show, 500 patrons 45 percent of our theatre operations, the ‘Ilima Awards, in partnership with spilled onto the theatre grounds, which the ‘Ilima Awards helps support the the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. This was transformed into a glittering many wonderful productions and year’s gala was held Oct. 13. outdoor ballroom featuring fine wines, educational programs Diamond Head The ‘Ilima Awards honors ice-cold martinis, micro-brewed beers Theatre has been providing for our Hawaii’s top chefs, as voted on by the and tastings from the award-winning community for 100 years. newspaper’s readers and restaurant restaurants. Music, dancing and plenty Mark your calendars for Oct. 12, critics. The awards themselves are of mingling made the evening even 2015, for the much anticipated 20th Chef Jason Iwane of Kalapawai Café adds the finishing bestowed onstage with a song-and- more festive. Annual ‘Ilima Awards Benefit. DHT board member Vernon Wong smiles with his guests. Kai Market’s ahi sandwich was touch to his booth. dance extravaganza that this year left a huge favorite of the night.

DHT board member Wendell Wo and South Pacific star Owner/Chef Hisashi Uehara and his team from AGU, Loretta Ables Sayre gather with our C.S. Wo guests. a Ramen Bistro Guests from Kahala Associates, looking well coordinated and Big smiles from the guests at the Kraft Foods Table ready to celebrate

Shooting Stars Kira Stone, 6 Camille Perry, Eliana Reeves and Kaili Delos Santos Crusted mahi mahi from Chart House Waikiki

Shooting Stars help a guest select what he hopes is The crew from Stage Restaurant gets ready for a winning ticket. guests to arrive. Mary Poppins star David Spangenthal, with Jamil and DHT board member Kathleen Sulieman DHT board member Sisi Takaki smiles with her guests. Executive Chef Erwin Manzano Photos courtesy Honolulu Star-Advertiser greets guests with aloha. 7

Rave Review ‘Ilima Award winner. Andy Yim and DHT board member ‘Ilima Dreams Sid Char pose for the camera. Victor and his enthusiastic staff from ictor Jian, owner and head chef Nagomi were the first restaurant on Vat Nagomi, found himself at the property the day of the event to DHT for the first time in 2004 while get their tent set up and ready to go— Executive Director Deena Dray gathers with the folks from Dave and Fiona Kennedy, Linda Woo and other Johnson Brothers. Star-Advertiser guests gather under the lights. volunteering for the ‘Ilima Awards as a including a portable teppanyaki grill, KCC culinary student. Students earn where the chefs cooked right in front of class credit by volunteering to help our guests. Victor even brought with him staff get things set up for the event Sous Chef/Master Teppan Chef Lance as well as serve and bus tables during Aldan, a fellow KCC graduate who had the event. Victor took a look around also volunteered for the ‘Ilimas while a at the ‘Ilimas and thought to himself, student. Nagomi’s yaki soba was a huge “Someday I’m going to cook at this hit with guests, and we hope to have event.” Nagomi back at another ‘Ilima Awards This year Victor’s vision came true event soon. -MC DHT board member Nigel Pentland and wife Alicia pause ‘Ilima Chair Rick Piper and Michelle when his restaurant was chosen as a Augie Rey and Jimmy Borges get the dance floor going. for the camera as they visit the tents. Ho head to the dance floor. NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

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

8 Flood at DHT! But the Show Must Go On … n Oct. 7, DHT’s staff received quite a surprise Owhen they arrived at work. With the extremely heavy rains we’d been having over a very short period of time, the theatre had flooded. The water had come in through the upstairs prop room and flooded the lobby, the floor of the audience chamber, the box office, the development office and even the ladies’ restroom. DHT Marketing Manager Lauren Lee was the first person to arrive at the theatre early that morning. “I entered the dark lobby and began to hear squishing noises as I walked to the box office,” she recalls. “I didn’t realize how bad it was until I turned on the lights and saw big puddles of water in the box office and at the bottom of the stairs!” With Mary Poppins performances scheduled to resume in just two days, the staff went to work to get the theatre up and running. Professional water extractors arrived, and in just a few hours the theatre was abuzz with the sound of powerful fans and dehumidifiers. After 48 hours of frantic drying and cleanup, the show went on—and with no one in the audience the wiser. A great team effort by all involved helpedMary Poppins fly in to delight another weekend of theatregoers. -MC