November 2009 Volume 95 • Issue 1

The Drowsy Chaperone Behind the Scenes with Director/ Choreographer James Patterson James Patterson, director and choreographer Inside This Issue of Diamond Head Theatre’s The Drowsy Executive Director’s Message 2 Chaperone, welcomed DHT artistic director John The Wedding Singer 4 Rampage to get the behind-the-scenes scoop on An Evening to Remember 5 man and show as opening day neared. Summer Fun 6 John: Welcome to Diamond Head Theatre, A Team Act 8 James. I know you’re friends with or A Toast to Curtains Rising 9 have worked with many of our past guest directors, like Darren Lee, David In the Spotlight 10 Spangenthal and Greg Zane. Did they give you any advice or details about directing a show at our theatre? James: Thank you for having me here—I’m very excited to be here and to be doing Coming Soon at DHT. Greg ’S Zane actually told me about DHT and WHITE CHRISTMAS put feelers out about the possibility Dec. 4-20, 2009 of me directing here, and I’m so grateful that he did. Both Greg and John Rampage with Yvonne Iversen and Madison Eror of The David Spangenthal told me wonderful Drowsy Chaperone THE JOY LUCK CLUB things about the theatre community Jan. 29-Feb. 14, 2010 [in Hawaii] and the theatre itself. Chaperone, and was lucky enough to They had said that everyone would work with all the original creative SHOUT! THE be very receptive to new ideas and team as well as perform with some MOD MUSICAL would be eager and excited to challenge original cast members, such as Bob March 19-April 4, 2010 themselves with working with a new Martin, the original Man in Chair, and director. , a former member of the GUYS AND DOLLS Diamond Head Theatre community. May 14-30, 2010 John: We’re so happy to have you directing I was originally hired to be a swing and choreographing our production of and assistant dance captain, as well as THE SOUND OF MUSIC The Drowsy Chaperone. You’ve had a the cover for Man in Chair, Adolpho, July 9-25, 2010 very long relationship with the show— Robert Martin and the Best Man. can you give us a little background on It was a lot of work, but each of the For Tickets what parts you’ve played in it, how long parts was so much fun I really enjoyed Call 808.733.0274 or visit were you associated with it and why you learning about all of them as well as www.diamondheadtheatre.com enjoy the show so much? the inner workings of the production. James: I was a member of the original cast of the first national tour of The Drowsy continued on page 3 Gordon. In Depression-era New York, When Rockefeller still can hoard enough Gordon was one of the city’s most successful money to let Max Gordon producers. His cable to Hawaii, dated produce his shows— January 11, 1944, stated: anything goes! 1944 “OK DOUGHGIRLS—REGULAR ROYALTIES—TEN PERCENT OF The Doughgirls’ playbill summary of the GROSS—PERFORMANCES FOR season also mentions the hugely popular SERVICE MEN FREE.” previous show, Angel Street—cut short “because Uncle Sam needed the services A Look Back in Time Gordon was, among other things, of the lead, Earle Ernst, as a Japanese The Doughgirls notable as the producer of the original stage interpreter, and he was called into the Army incarnation of The Jazz Singer, which ran immediately after the eight performances.” Honolulu Community Theatre’s 1944 from September 1925 to June 1926. His Such were the theatre days of the 1940s! wartime production of The Doughgirls reputation during this era was immortalized was significant in ’s song “Anything Goes” from on several levels. the musical of the same name: People often ask how Diamond Head Theatre (formerly called Honolulu Community Theatre) can be considered one of the oldest continually operating community theatres in the U.S., given the relative newness of Hawaii’s drama history. The answer is that it’s because of shows like The Doughgirls— 2 shows that ran throughout the war years, contributing to our record of continuously operating since 1915. Another nugget of trivia regarding The Doughgirls is about the man who cabled us the permission to do the show: Max

DHT will achieve its goal of 3,300 season Your confidence really inspires us. It Aloha from DHT’s patrons and raising $400,000, a magnificent means we’re doing what I feel we should— Executive Director down payment on the more than $750,000 bringing you topnotch entertainment in Last summer, my husband and I took in box office receipts that we need to carry a friendly and welcoming environment. a bicycle trip in Austria along the Danube. on. What great news! In this economy, it’s Our theatre is a place for escape and Much as I love my job, it was nice to get nothing short of remarkable. enchantment, a haven from the long away, expand my horizons and fit in some workweek where you can laugh, sing along much needed exercise! and just feel good. You believe in what Diamond Head Theatre was never far we do, and your signing on for the season from my thoughts, however, and during the encourages us to work harder to deliver on trip I visited the oldest theatre in Austria, our promise to you. Bravo, and thank you. still in use. It was tiny! Most fascinating We’ll see you at the theatre! were the seats that locked upright, so only key holders could unlock them to sit down. Talk about an incentive to become a season subscriber! I’m glad we don’t have to go to that extreme here. P.S. For those of you on Facebook, Meantime, our season subscribers check out the Diamond Head Theatre site. have signed up in force. I am truly grateful We’re constantly updating it with DHT for such loyalty. That loyalty means that news, photos and videos. Become a fan Aloha from the Stadttheater in Grein, Austria! today! continued from page 1 John: In addition to directing and choreographing, I know you still have a very busy career as a performer. Do you prefer one more than the other, or do you enjoy both jobs equally? James: I really do like both equally. I have had more experience as a performer, and welcome the opportunities to do more directing and choreographing. John: You’ve performed in so many great shows both on Broadway and across the country. Do you have a favorite show or role in a show you’ve appeared in? James Patterson, director and choreographer of James: I can honestly say that I don’t have a single DHT’s The Drowsy Chaperone favorite, but I have “top five” or “top ten” I was eventually moved to being an onstage favorites, one of which is Drowsy Chaperone. ensemble member and left the tour for The show is so smart and funny, and the another production job. cast so wonderful, I really feel honored to have been a part of it. Last year I was lucky I think I love this show so much because enough to perform in a production of it has such heart. Many shows nowadays Bye at the now-defunct North Shore are based on movies, or a catalogue of Bye Birdie Music Theatre [in Boston]. was the songs—not that there’s anything wrong with Birdie first show I’d ever done and I was now doing that—but it lacks creativity and originality. it in a fantastic theatre, and playing the lead. This show wasn’t written with dollar signs The whole experience was fantastic, from in mind. It was originally written as a skit to all the brilliant creatives to the amazing cast be done at a bachelor party and grew from members. It was a great production. there. We theatre lovers are missing pieces like The Drowsy Chaperone, pieces that are John: We have so many young people in our based on heart and inventiveness, and this theatre with an interest in pursuing a career 3 piece not only pays tribute to the bygone, in the performing arts. Do you have any old-style book musical, but those who love advice for them on how to prepare? them as well. James: The best advice I can give is to really John: Why were you attracted to a career in the concentrate on your training. Training theatre? Did you start as a child? speaks volumes for any performer. Be as well rounded as you can, and know what James: I actually didn’t do theatre as a child. I grew makes you special. Are you a great dancer, do up in El Paso, Texas, and there was little or you have a gift for comedy, are you a power no opportunity to do theatre. When I went belter, or a classic leading lady or man? In to college in Boston, it was really the first other words, be yourself and let everyone see time I was able to try theatre out—and it what a unique and special performer you are. stuck. I had very supportive parents and Every audition is an opportunity to perform relatives who made my going into theatre and show your gifts to other people. One possible. more thing: Know your show history. The There are so many things I love about the Drowsy Chaperone is a 1920s-style show, but theatre. I really love the rehearsal process we had several people come in and sing songs where you are presented with the challenges from or Les Misérables—completely of creating and problem solving, and also inappropriate. Know all styles of songs and with the excitement of being in front of have some prepared to go for auditions. an audience. Every night, every show, is a chance to look at the material again and find a way to connect to the piece and with the audience.

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, Kelly Moulson, John Rampage the Broadway of the Pacific, producing the best live Box Office (808)733-0274 Coordinator Cathy Pai community theatre entertainment and advancing the theatre arts through education in Hawai‘i. www.diamondheadtheatre.com A Classic Summer Love Story, 1980s Style Pop musical The Wedding Singer delighted DHT audiences this past summer. Our opening night was festive (wedding attire optional!) and our invited guests (Producer’s Club members and show sponsors) enjoyed the fine wines and delicious food provided by Grant Sim of Big G’s Catering.

DHT Marketing Manager Cathy Pai, Willow Chang and Honolulu Magazine Editor A. Kam Napier The extended Hampton-Zaharis family celebrates at opening night

Steve Ahlers, Sharon McPhee 4 and Linda Ahlers

Jeanette Magoon, Bev Noa, Margaret Murchie and Yvonne Iversen

John and Sandra Stevenson, Tim Guard, and Joey Harris

DHT Artistic Director John Rampage congratulates Scott White, director of The Wedding Singer An Evening to Remember Hawaii State Theatre Council Honors DHT with 26 Po‘okela Awards Diamond Head Theatre shone brightly at the 2009 Hawaii State Theatre Council’s Po‘okela Awards. We received 26 awards, turning an already glorious “Stars Night Out” party into an even more memorable affair. Our production of Gypsy in particular swept up eight awards, including tying for best musical with our Les Misérables. Congratulations to all, and mahalo to every cast member and “behind-the-scenes” professional who gave their best to make Several of DHT’s award winners: Katie Beth Hicks, Justin-Patrick Hashimoto, Victoria Morgan and Caroline Lawo DHT a success.

Leading Male in a Musical Musical Director Hair, Make-Up, Wigs Matthew Pennaz, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Emmett Yoshioka, Gypsy Jess Aki, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Dennis Proulx, Gypsy Jess Aki and Doug Scheer, Les Misérables Choreography Leading Female in a Musical Christine Yasunaga, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Guest Artists Shari Lynn, Gypsy Peter and Melanie Lockyer, Katie Beth Hicks, The Wedding Singer Overall Musical Directors of a Musical, Les Misérables Les Misérables Featured Male in a Musical Gypsy Peter Lockyer, Justin Hashimoto, The Wedding Singer Leading Male in a Musical, Les Misérables 5 Daniel Kunkel, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Costume Design Doug Scheer, Les Misérables Karen Wolfe, Les Misérables Greg Zane, Morgan Lane-Tanner, Dirty Rotten Choreography, Peter Pan Featured Female in a Musical Scoundrels Cathy Foy, Gypsy Scott White, Lisa Konove, Gypsy Sound Design Choreography, The Wedding Singer Caroline Lawo, The Wedding Singer Mikel Humerickhouse, Gypsy Victoria Morgan, The Wedding Singer DHT also congratulates Nancy Koelper Light Design as Volunteer of the Year, winning the Director of a Musical Dawn Oshima, Peter Pan Excellence in Service Award! John Rampage, Gypsy

The cast and crew ofGypsy celebrated eight wins at the Po‘okela Awards SummerSummer

“DHT’s Kids” It was a bright and exciting summer at DHT. Everywhere we turned, there were children singing, dancing and rehearsing. The theatre was literally alive with music! Experience (MTE), our very popular six-week summer program, embarked upon 6 an ambitious repertoire. The performance theme was music, and for weeks, 75 students sang songs from , Phantom and FunFun!!

Take the Stage Joseph, working hard to get their dance steps perfected. The final performance was a huge success. DHT’s Shootings Stars also had a busy summer. In years past, the Stars had mounted a “junior” version of one of our main stage productions. This year, however, Stars director John Rampage decided that a revue to showcase their unique talents might be fun. Every student auditioned and was selected to do “acts” such as a hula, playing musical instruments or performing hip hop and contemporary dance numbers. In addition, the Stars delighted the audience with their ensemble numbers. One of the high points of the show was the inclusion of Stars alumni. Stars administrative director 7 Kelly Moulson worked the phones and Facebook, contacting “old” Stars—and 22 of them joined our current troupe on stage. It was a very proud moment for DHT! You both have been in many productions here at DHT and at other theatres around Honolulu. Name a few, especially some favorites. Bill: At DHT: Noises Off, , Scrooge, The Lisbon Traviata, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. My favorites have been , and recently at Manoa Valley Theatre, the play Frost/Nixon. Ann: There have been many, starting with the most recent: Bye Bye Birdie at Army Community Theatre and Anything Goes at DHT, all the way back to shows like Harvey and Oklahoma (performed with Ed Kenney and Emma Veary at the Blaisdell). My favorite was the first time A Team Act I did Anything Goes at DHT, then known as DHT Performers/Educators Honolulu Community Theatre, in 1971. Bill and Ann Ogilvie If you could play any role, what would it be? Meet husband-and-wife team Bill and Ann Bill: King Lear—in about 10 years! Ogilvie, who have been involved in Diamond Ann: Mother of the Bride in Neil Simon’s Plaza Head Theatre for many years both as performers Suite. and educators. Ann is a full-time teacher with the Department of Education (DOE) and a performing Which do you enjoy more: performing, directing or arts teacher at DHT. Bill is also a teacher with teaching? the DOE and a DHT instructor. He also coaches Bill: All equally satisfying. privately and acts professionally. We caught up with Ann: My order of preference would be teaching, this busy couple for a chat and would like to introduce acting and directing. them to you, as well as thank them for all their years of dedication to our theatre. What is your biggest accomplishment? Bill: Daughter Julia—not because she happens to 8 You both have long and illustrious careers here at be a gifted performer, but because she’s a well- Diamond Head Theatre. How long has it been? adjusted artist and person. We put in the time Bill: I’ve been involved since 1994. and effort, and somehow she got the best of Ann and myself. Ann: Twenty-five consecutive years; however, I also taught in back in 1975, and then off and on Ann: Helping students to find their inner voices via before I started on my consecutive stint in imagination and theatre. 1984. What makes being on stage special? Was acting your first love? How did you decide to Bill: I act for the same reason that I breathe. It make a career choice of acting and drama? makes me feel completely alive and in the Bill: I started down the path to the stage when I moment. met Boris Karloff at age 7. I was befriended Ann: I enjoy the exercise it gives my imagination by him and watched him play Born Yesterday as well as my intellect, emotions and body. and Arsenic and Old Lace back-to-back in Remember, I started in theatre as a dancer! repertory. I was hopelessly hooked. Now I teach, produce, act and direct. Ann: Teaching was always my first career choice— preferably teaching acting as well as English. I got my BA from Colorado College in Fine Arts with a drama concentration, and my MA from Arizona State University in theatre. I enjoy children, and I like them to use their imaginations and improve in skills that will help them in life as well as on the stage. kicked off September 25 with The Drowsy Waialua Soda Works provided delicious A Toast to Chaperone. lilikoi, mango and vanilla cream sodas. Our Tim Garrard and his gang at Wine host, Gary Manago, provided scrumptious Curtains Rising Merchants of Hawaii, a division of Italian specialties (the lobster ravioli was a In late August, Sergio’s Italian Johnson Brothers, provided fine wines, huge hit). Willow Chang at vocals kept the Restaurant on Kapahulu Avenue was the and Chambers & Chambers shared the mood mellow. setting for a spectacular Diamond Head celebration with additional wines and Diamond Head Theatre is lucky to have Theatre appreciation dinner. The mood was champagnes. The beer kept flowing, thanks such generous neighbors. Stop in for a pre- festive as DHT sponsors, Producer’s Club to Steve Cole of Kona Brewing Co. The theatre dinner at Sergio’s. Gary and his folks members and FriendRaisers celebrated Absolut Mojitos and The Glenlivet Scotch will be sure to have you out in time for the the opening of season 2009–2010, which pours were popular, and for the teetotalers, curtain!

Bruce Liebert, Judith Kellogg, Kathryn Nicholson and Madalyn Burr Milan Drager, Candes Meijide-Gentry and Kathryn Nicholson

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Pat and Al Kwiencinski enjoy the festivities Good friends celebrate: the Kanazawas, Paul deVille, the Kuiokas and the Francises

Mariko Lyons, Howard Bishop, Rose Reed and Roberta Bishop Ed Hampton, Pam Princenthal, Renee Hampton and Jason Princenthal InIn thethe SpotlightSpotlight

George Chalekian Board Member Occupation Advertising and marketing consultant First Job Pump monkey, Unocal 76 Last Book Read Gentlemen of the Road by Michael Chabon Favorite Travel Anywhere outside my front door Destination How Long on Six years the Board? My Favorite The rollicking, ribald (forgive me) climax of The DHT Moment Full Monty, when the trousers came down and the footlights came up and the audience was transported, literally, from their seats to their feet, making me appreciate just how good our Diamond Head Theatre really is.

Lynn Cook Board Member 10 Occupation Writer/Artist/Photographer First Job Roofing houses for my dad Last Book Read Honolulu by Alan Brennert Favorite Travel Anywhere there is a rock art site, preferably one that Destination is nearly impossible to reach How Long on Since God was a child (in real terms: 25 years) the Board? My Favorite At DHT’s former fundraiser, The Compadres DHT Moment Chili Cook-Off—taping up a hastily-lettered sign on the chili cooks’ men’s room door: “Wash Hands BEFORE Entering” (think about handling fiery chilies and the consequences—ouch!).

Uson Y. Ewart Board Member Occupation Real estate consultant First Job Newspaper delivery Last Book Read Lincoln at Gettysburg by Gary Wills, and Won Ton Lust by John Krich Favorite Travel The Lodge at Koele on Lanai Destination How Long on the Board? I’m guessing close to 30 years! My Favorite Enjoying the great food and wines at the ‘Ilima DHT Moment Awards with good friends after a fun show, while the music is soft enough to carry on a conversation at our table. MeetMeet MembersMembers ofof OOurur BoardBoard Diamond Head Theatre is honored to have 40 community leaders and theatre buffs servingserving asas DirectorDirector onon thethe Board.Board. WeWe wouldwould likelike toto taketake thisthis opportunityopportunity toto introduceintroduce severalseveral ofof thesethese specialspecial individualsindividuals toto you,you, andand toto thankthank thethe entireentire boardboard forfor theirtheir unshakable, enthusiastic support.

Gabe Lee Board Member Occupation American Savings Bank, EVP Commercial Markets First Job Salt Lake Chevron gas station Last Book Read Good to Great by Jim Collins Favorite Travel Destination How Long on Seven years the Board? My Favorite Attending the “Murder Mysteries” at The Producer’s DHT Moment Club dinners.

Sharon S. McPhee Board Member Occupation Currently a community volunteer First Job A friend’s bakery in high school Last Book Read The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama by Gwen Ifill 11 Favorite Travel Africa—learned so much about how we evolved! Destination Visited the Olduvai Gorge where earliest fragments of humans were found How Long on 13 years the Board? My Favorite Loved checking volunteers in for our annual DHT Moment volunteer thank-you picnic. Interesting variety—all ages, backgrounds—and I learned how we all can grow and age gracefully, being useful, involved and socializing with friends. Lucky us!

Kelly Sanders Board Member Occupation General manager, Sheraton Waikiki First Job Busboy at a Pocatello, Idaho hotel restaurant Last Book Read Ice Hunt by James Roland Favorite Travel , of course! Destination How Long on Two years the Board? My Favorite My favorite moment had to be the first time DHT Moment I attended the ‘Ilima Awards, the creative presentation of the winners, followed by the extraordinary dining options and then dancing the night away. The wine helped also…. NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID 520 Makapuu Avenue HONOLULU, HAWAII Honolulu, HI 96816-2397 PERMIT NO. 260

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Have Yo u Heard? Are you having trouble catching every word at our performances? Missing any of the jokes? DHT has hearing-assist headphones that will make the words and songs come alive! The headphones are free—all you need to do is leave an ID as a deposit. So drop by the Box Office just prior to the show, grab a headset and make your theatre experience that much more enjoyable.