sign in sign up
<<
Home , Gigi (musical), Warwick New York Hotel

February 2010 Volume 95 • Issue 2

Six Trips and Counting DHT’s popular Bound tours hit all the right notes Diamond Head Theatre hosted yet Inside This Issue another exciting Broadway Bound adventure A Look Back in Time 2 this past November. It was our sixth “adult” Executive Director’s Message 2 trip to the worlds of theatre, shopping and The Year in Review 4 dining in (we also took the Shooting Stars in 2007). The 2010 trip will The Joy Luck Club 6 be lucky number seven! In the Spotlight 7 When we created the Broadway Bound Broadway Bound, Spring 2008 Holiday Memories 8 program back in 2005, we decided that late autumn, around Veterans Day, was Our Mahalo 8 the perfect time of year to visit the Big tree is up and New York’s Apple. For one thing, it gives our group the many incredible stores are primed for early possibility of experiencing the amazing fall Christmas shopping (as are we!). colors that we miss out on living in Hawaii. For that first trip, we weren’t sure if It’s also the beginning of the holiday season, anyone would sign up. They did—31 people so the Rockettes’ Radio City Christmas in all. We hosted a summer orientation Spectacular has just opened. Plus the at the theatre and a bon voyage party Coming Soon continued on page 3 SHOUT: THE MOD ABC’s Director Deena Dray and Education March 19 - April 4 Director Kelly Moulson immediately put When school doors closed, DHT’s their heads together, and Theatre ABC’s GUYS AND DOLLS stage doors opened was born. The response was terrific, and the May 14 - 30 program sold out immediately. It was an auspicious first day: The THE SOUND OF MUSIC morning’s tentative “hellos” became happy July 9 - 25 cries of “I can’t wait for next Friday!” echoing through the rehearsal hall by 3 pm. The silver lining for us was that the majority of the students had never participated in DHT’s performing arts program before, so we had brand new kids to introduce to our For Tickets theatre. Call 808.733.0274 or visit Theatre ABC’s was built using condensed www.diamondheadtheatre.com When word hit that public schools curriculum modules from our popular would close on Fridays to offset Hawaii’s Musical Theatre Experience (MTE) summer budget crisis, we at Diamond Head Theatre program. The program features Department wondered how we could help. Executive continued on page 6 performed in the original rehearsal next week, Broadway production. but could keep the His name was Jim part open if you could Alex, and as with work on it there. Alvina DHT’s present-day Kaulili doing the singing 1959 guest artists, Mayer [she was actually the ran headlong into music director] and she transportation and thinks she could get you by. housing challenges. Let’s hear, boy. It all worked out, A Look Back in Time however—a cheap After that resounding vote Guys and Dolls flight was found, of confidence (!) Mr. Ganley as was “a room did take the role, but was soon With in our Guys and Dolls in a house near again on the hot seat, this time repertoire this season, it was a good the theatre from a girl who also for his costuming. One W.J. time to look back at another production works on the show.” Forrestel wrote the director on of the show staged here at Diamond Casting the lead was the next July 26: “James Ganley’s portrayal of Sky Head Theatre (then known as Honolulu challenge. Director Mayer wrote to Masterston is excellent but I thought the Community Theatre). The year was James Ganley, a local boy away at college character delineation suffered just a bit 1959, years after the show opened in Oregon: because his costume—a dark business on Broadway and won five Tony suit—was a bit too drab . . . a checked Awards®, including an award for Best or brighter hued sport coat would more Musical. May 28, 1959 enhance the illusion of the character.” Jerome Mayer, then HCT’s managing Dear Jim, Diamond Head Theatre will present director, was also to be the director How about reading the part of for the fourth time of . Mayer decided to Guys and Dolls Guys and Dolls Sky Masterson, fast, and answering, (previously mounted in 1973 and 1990) bring in a choreographer from the fast, if you’re coming back for the this spring. Keep an eye out for Sky Mainland—someone who had actually summer and when. We go into Masterson’s attire! 2

story as it’s unfolding. So, we’ve built a Aloha from DHT’s Facebook page. Now we can post pictures Executive Director of rehearsals and our new Furlough Last year I signed up for Facebook. Fridays classes, plus feature links to I never thought I would. Like many of articles, videos of performances . . . you you, I thought it was a “young person’s name it, we’ve posted it! We try to post thing” and way too time consuming, but new items at least once a week, and our I started hearing that middle-aged folks page already has more than 500 fans. like myself were signing up in droves. Interested? You don’t have to be on I so hate to be left behind! Plus, my Facebook to see our page. Just go to our mainland friend had posted pictures of website, www.diamondheadtheatre.com, her son’s wedding and I was eager to see and click on the Facebook icon. You’ll the photos. land on the page and be able to see all Once I signed up (it was easy!), I our news. And you may find yourself as became intrigued. It’s not the invasion of intrigued as I was by Facebook and end privacy I expected. I limit my “friends” up creating your own page. If you do, be to close friends and family, and it’s not sure to become a fan of DHT. You’ll get all that time consuming. Anyway, I’m all the theatre news as soon as we post it. hooked. Facebook has become an easy So, is Twitter next? I don’t think so, way for me to check in with people, see but we’ll see. After all, that’s what I said about Facebook! what they’re up to and best of all, view Photo from DHT’s Broadway Bound tour last their pictures. November. We had a great time, as usual! In setting up my personal page, I quickly recognized what Facebook could do for Diamond Head Theatre: tell our Broadway Bound - cont. from page 1 and we had our first bus tour with guide get into shows in preview, such as this at a private club one week before Zoura. She’s knowledgeable, fun and year, when we attended Bye Bye Birdie departure—a tradition we’ve continued. very entertaining. We made a special trip before it had officially opened. We learned a lot on that first foray. to The Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park, a One thing we have never changed is For example, don’t plan too many group great opportunity to see the fall foliage. the Actor Talk Back. One of the actors activities, since patrons enjoy creating It was so late in the season that we from a show we have seen during our some of their own plans. So the next found it more barren than expected, but stay joins our group for an hour-long year, we cut back on group activities and still fun! discussion of his or her life, the role, the left more free time. It worked beautifully. We had always had our Four show—whatever we want to talk about. Each following year we found Seasons dinner on a theatre night, and It’s a wonderful backstage peek at life in something to tweak. After the first year, one year, trying to get cabs to Lincoln the theatre business. One of the most we moved from the to Center to make our show on time was memorable sessions was with Loretta the Warwick New York Hotel and have on the November 2008 tour (as you stayed there ever since. The Warwick 2007 probably know, did not end has an intimate feel as well as a very nice up closing—in fact, it’s still running!). restaurant, plus a cozy lounge ideal for a Loretta told the story of her climb from quick sandwich or glass of wine. It’s also Honolulu lounge singer to DHT actress perfectly located, on the corner of 6th to Broadway Tony nominee—and Avenue and West 54th. is believe me, there was not a dry eye in a block away, is right up the house. The ups and downs of her the street and the theatre district is only journey were truly five or six blocks away. To top it off, the poignant to hear. hotel staff is simply With each superb. tour, we’ve had the In year number inevitable snafus. three of Broadway In 2007, a stage Bound, we developed manager strike shut the first-night down all but a very tradition of a no- few Broadway shows; 3 host dinner at Remi, another year, a patron a charming Italian ended up in the restaurant only a 2008 hospital overnight; block from the hotel. then there was the It’s an indulgent way 2008 very stressful. time we left two patrons behind at a stop to decompress after This year, we on the bus tour. Whoops! (Fortunately, our long flight and an easy introduction changed the dinner to a night when we they did the New York thing and caught to fellow travelers. had no group show planned. It was as a cab.) In 2008 we doubled up and did two fabulous as only the Four Seasons can But what good times we’ve had! tours. Our beloved friend and DHT be, and we had all the dining time we John Rampage and I especially love actress, Loretta Ables Sayre, had been needed. Some folks still decided to see a observing the change in our first-timer cast in the runaway hit South Pacific. show later that night, but they picked a tour patrons, from their first day of The show was originally only scheduled nearby theatre easy to walk to. taking in the glittering bigness of NYC to run for six months (Lincoln Center Every year on our tour, we change to their final day, when we have to drag typically rotates shows in and out), up the museums we visit. We’ve been to them onto the airport bus for home. so we wanted to see her before the MOMA, the Met, the Natural History The excitement of New York is hard then-scheduled June closing. So, off we Museum and The Frick. We also change to beat, and nothing makes us happier went—a smaller group and shorter tour the shows. Because many of our NYC than introducing Hawaii folks to one with the express purpose of seeing her Broadway Bound patrons are repeat of the world’s greatest cities and the performance. Everyone loved it. travelers, some joining us four or five astounding theatre scene it offers. We Our second 2008 tour took place in times, DHT picks the very newest hope to see some new adventurers in the traditional November timeframe, Broadway offerings. We even sometimes November 2010!

Encore! is published by Diamond Head Theatre, 520 Makapuu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816. Our Mission Statement Phone (808)733-0277 Editor Stacy Pope Established in 1915, Diamond Head Theatre is Facsimile (808)735-1250 Contributing Writers Deena Dray the Broadway of the Pacific, producing the best live community theatre entertainment and advancing Box Office (808)733-0274 Coordinator Cathy Pai the theatre arts through education in Hawai‘i. www.diamondheadtheatre.com Diamond Head Theatre’s 94th Season Lynn playing the iconic heroine Mama Rose. It was a crowd pleaser and season * favorite. Later in spring we featured The 2008-2009 Year in Review another Hawaii premiere, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels—a very funny musical Les Misérables comedy fresh from Broadway. The

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

audiences enjoyed the twists and turns, which kept them guessing right up to the very end. The season’s productions wrapped with the high energy Wedding Singer, guest directed by Scott White. It Our Season Souvenir rocked the house. Our 2008-2009 season opened with Les Misérables, one of the most The Wedding Singer successful shows ever staged at Diamond Head Theatre. We were so fortunate to bring in guest directors Peter Lockyer 4 and Melanie Tojio Lockyer (with Peter stepping in to play the lead as well). They were professionals all the way. As the very first community theatre Directed by DHT Artistic Director nationwide to obtain the rights to John Rampage, this show took a Les Miz, DHT was determined to bittersweet turn. Despite good reviews DHT ended the 2008-2009 season do the best possible production. We and a strong opening, the show took a $50,000 better to budget in ticket succeeded—the critics and the public hit when the lead fell ill. When Stefanie revenue—good news indeed in a rapidly loved it. Kudos to the DHT artistic Smart had to step out, some shows softening economy! team, who really pulled out all the stops were canceled. DHT was lucky to have theatre and opera veteran Mary Chesnut Education Peter Pan Hicks as a friend. With a heroic effort, Education continues to be big part of the show was remounted with Mary in our mission, and we’re happy to report the role. It was a great emotional finale once again that our performing arts and wonderful recovery from a financial education program is flourishing. The loss that could have been much more year’s classes and workshops offered significant. diverse programming, from baby ballet to hip-hop and adult acting. Our full- year catalogue continues to be popular, giving potential students a visual picture to make it a success! of the year ahead and showcasing our The holidays brought yet another very talented teaching staff. success: Peter Pan. Directed by Our Musical Theatre Experience guest director Greg Zane, Peter Pan (MTE) summer school program introduced the magic of flying and continues to thrive. MTE I ran fairy dust to thousands of Honolulu Gypsy again for six weeks, followed by two residents, children and adults alike. weeks of the master class MTE II. Our single drama of the season was Gypsy, also directed by John Combined attendance topped 100 Souvenir, which opened January 2009. Rampage, came on strong with Shari and the sessions ended with many the ‘Ilima Awards are a key element in dedicated Board of Directors. Mahalo smiling faces. Kids were happy with our development efforts. We were so to all! their final performances and a summer encouraged by the community response! of new friendships, and parents were Our corporate show sponsorship New York City Theatre Tours happy with their children’s growth and program remains strong, contributing Every November, Diamond Head accomplishments. more than $109,000. We did have Theatre offers Broadway Bound, a Our Shooting Stars program some erosion due to the economy, theatre tour to New York City. It makes continues to grow under the direction of but fortunately it was not significant. a small but important contribution DHT Artistic Director John Rampage. Diamond Head Theatre is lucky to have to our bottom line. The 2008 tour During the year, we surveyed Stars and long-time and loyal corporate sponsors. was great fun, with more than 30 their parents and discovered that the enthusiastic patrons. program has an extraordinarily high Volunteers satisfaction rate. The survey feedback Volunteers continue to be the Financial also encouraged our staff to explore new backbone of Diamond Head Theatre. Building DHT’s budget is always ideas and to continue to seek ways to We simply could not operate without tricky, and for 2008-2009 it was keep the program fresh. One example volunteers, as they contribute to literally particularly challenging. We monitored was the summer show we mounted. every aspect of our theatre operations. the ups and downs all year and kept In previous incarnations, the Stars We really cannot thank them enough, a close watch on expenses. With would perform a junior version of one but we try in one small way by hosting strong support from our ticketholders, of our main stage productions. This an annual Volunteer Picnic. corporate sponsors and donors, we were time, however, John and the staff came thrilled to be able to squeak out another up with a revue, which allowed kids surplus. We used these funds to build to create their own acts. Talent ranged inventory in preparation for what we from hula to modern dance, and from anticipate to be a very lean 2009-2010. Broadway show tunes to the Jonas Brothers. It was a huge success. The Facility Development In 2008-2009, Diamond Head Theatre followed the Building 5 Ticket sales covered only 47 percent Assessment Report with a Site of our costs, so raising money continues The FriendRaisers help out! Development Plan. The purpose of to be a necessary part of life at Diamond the plan was to determine whether we Head Theatre. Our primary source of Diamond Head Theatre’s group of had enough land on the property to development revenue in 2008-2009 was Shooting Stars parents, known as The build a new facility while keeping our individual gifts via our membership and FriendRaisers (“Friends” for short), current theatre open. The news was annual holiday drive. One of the most continues to be invaluable in helping good: We can. We now move into the successful elements of our individual the administrative staff at DHT with Environmental Assessment phase, which gift campaign is the major gift club, also mailings, events and promotions. can take up to two years. After that, known as The Producer’s Club. They’ve been instrumental in helping we should have a concept to present to Our annual fundraising gala, The Diamond Head Theatre grow and you, our theatre ohana and community. Honolulu Advertiser’s ‘Ilima Awards, flourish. Exciting times ahead for your Diamond topped the $200,000 mark for the first Finally, our volunteer roster would Head Theatre! time. As our signature fundraising event, not be complete without mentioning our

*Both our fiscal year and our season ended on August 31, 2009. The publication of the Year in Review is deferred until our books are audited in November, with a completed audit report in January. We publish the Year in Review as our annual report to you, our “shareholders.” By the time you read it, we’ll be well into our 2009-2010 season. Meet Reiko Ho director at La Pietra - Hawaii School We teach our children, but in the end for Girls for nine years. Currently, they teach us, too. We’re all part of each Director of The Joy Luck Club Reiko is the education director for Ohia other’s story. Productions and the owner of Martial When I directed Joy Luck Club We’re pleased to introduce you to Reiko Arts Family Fitness Hawaii. in 1999, the process affected me Ho, director of Diamond Head Theatre’s Reiko describes her for The profoundly, and the cast became like a production of The Joy Luck Club. Joy Luck Club: “I fell in love with Amy family. I was very touched during the Reiko is a director, performer and Tan’s novel as a young college student. 2009 [DHT] casting process when the educator with a master’s degree in It was the first book that I had ever ‘mothers’ from the Kumu production theatre and dance. She has directed read that was about ‘me’ and my Asian- showed up to audition. I’m pleased to be and performed American family. The novel detailed working with two of them again. In fact, for Ohia the classic Asian mother-daughter when I called one of them to inform her Productions, relationship, the dysfunctional family that she was cast, she told me that the Honolulu dynamics, the crazy aunties, introducing ‘moms’ were all having Christmas dinner Theatre for your ‘haole’ boyfriend to the family, together! Youth, Kumu the obsession with food, the sound of It’s a great pleasure to be directing Kahua Theatre, mahjong tiles on the card table. this production for Diamond Head Diamond Then Susan Kim adapted it for Theatre. Although 10 years have passed, Head Theatre, the stage, and I was thrilled to be the script still seems fresh to me. And Kennedy asked by Kumu Kahua to direct the the message is universal: We define Theatre and first local production of it in 1999. ourselves by our choices, who we love, others. Most recently, she directed Voices What a wonderful opportunity to who we leave, who we remember. Our from Okinawa for Kumu Kahua Theatre, share my interpretation of being Asian past influences not only our future, but a production selected by the Honolulu American—‘Outside, skin and hair are our children’s future. Tan sums it up Star-Bulletin as a 2009 “Best of Theatre” Chinese. Inside, all American-made.’ when she says that ‘this feather may look pick. She has also worked extensively in Ten years later, the story still worthless, but it carries with it all my Hawaii’s public schools with students resonates. Now that I’m a mother good intentions.’” and teachers, and served as the upper myself, I can relate to the unconditional 6 school dean of students and drama love of mothers for their daughters.

Theatre ABC’s - continued from page 1 of Education instructors from our The curriculum included attending a teaching pool as well as new teachers preview performance of DHT’s holiday recruited from surrounding high schools. show, White Christmas, the night before In addition to a staff of four (Ann and it opened. The next day, the kids were Bill Ogilvie, Natalie Uehara and Jenny full of enthusiasm and peppered the Kimura) and three interns (furloughed teachers with questions: Does DHT high school students), we brought in buy all its costumes (nope, we make selected guest artists, as we do for MTE, them), how are the sets built (through for classes in theatre makeup, theatre the skill of our terrific scene shop staff movement and set building. and volunteers), how did that little girl (Chelsea Michel, playing Susan Waverly) learn all those lines and how learned, combining a small skit with is she able to stay up so late (practice, several numbers from the entertaining practice, practice!). Our favorite question musical Suessical. Proud parents and was whether that Vermont farmer (Bevo friends snapped and clapped. Biven) could really only say “Yeeup.” At the time of writing we plan Seems the kids didn’t catch that he to hold additional Theatre ABC’s played several different characters in the sessions. Regardless of how the situation show! with Furlough Fridays pans out, we At their final recital, the students will always cherish the unexpected performed on that same stage and opportunity we had to introduce new they were thrilled. The performance children to the magic of theatre. showcased what the children had In the Spotlight Meet Members of Our Board Diamond Head Theatre is honored to have 40 community leaders and theatre buffs serving as directors on the Board. We would like to introduce several of these special Rick Ching, individuals to you and to thank the entire board for their Board Member unshakable, enthusiastic support.

Occupation President, Servco Automotive First Job Newspaper delivery Last Book The Ten Faces of Innovation by Tom Kelley Carolyn A. Berry, Read and Down Under by Bill Bryson Board Member Favorite Tied between Japan and Utah (for snow Travel skiing) Destination First Job In high school, I worked in a 10-cent store holidays and vacations How Long on 3 years the Board Last Book Angels & Demons by Dan Brown Read My Favorite It would have to be the first show DHT (unfortunately I don’t remember which Favorite London Moment production it was) that my wife, Marybeth, Travel and I took our daughter to when she was Destination very young. She was on the edge of her seat, How Long on 5 years and it was the start of a real passion for the Board theatre and dance. She went on to perform My Favorite When I played the unfaithful wife in some of DHT’s shows, and her love of performing arts continues to this day. 7 DHT in , opposite Brother Gary from Moment Chaminade. I’m a Regent there, and we met on the stage at Diamond Head Theatre.

Sidney Char, Board Member Indru Watamull, Board Member Occupation Architect First Job Palletizer operator for Dole Pineapple Cannery Occupation Community volunteer Last Book State of Fear by Michael Crichton Last Book A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry Read Read Favorite Alaska, for salmon fishing Favorite Have bag, will travel! Travel Travel Destination Destination How Long on 23 years How Long on 28 years the Board the Board My Favorite Watching DHT’s Shooting Stars sing My Favorite John Rampage’s performance in The DHT and perform synchronized choreography. DHT Drowsy Chaperone. Moment The other is watching Yvonne Iversen in Moment do “I’m Breaking Down” with a bottle of wine and rubber chicken. NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID 520 Makapuu Avenue HONOLULU, HAWAII Honolulu, HI 96816-2397 PERMIT NO. 260

8 Holiday Memories Mahalo for Your Support Diamond Head Theatre’s Shooting Stars We’re often asked during this economic slowdown, “How is Diamond Head Theatre doing?” We’re glad to report that at the first quarter mark of our fiscal year, we’re doing fine. In fact, we’re doing better than fine, thanks to the wonderful support we’ve received from the community. Already on the plus side: Our shows are doing well, with both White Christmas and The Joy Luck Club doing better than we anticipated; our signature Toy soldiers line up. fundraiser, The Honolulu Advertiser’s ‘Ilima Awards, exceeded its budget by $10,000; our annual holiday fund drive (in November and December) stands at 5 percent above goal, with donations still being Ready to charm! accepted; and our corporate and foundation support is on track. One foundation even doubled its gift over last year! Mahalo nui loa to the John Young Foundation for supporting our annual holiday fund drive and providing scholarships for our Musical Theatre Experience summer program. Our thanks to every patron and donor, large and small alike. We’re honored by your faith in the work we do here. Jim Nabors congratulates the Stars. Waiting to go on at one of the many holiday performances.