Diamond Head Theatre May 28 – June 13, 2021 Vol 106. No. 6 Diamond Head Theatre Presents Frankie Sparky Jinx Smudge Written and Originally Directed and Choreographed by STUART ROSS Musical Continuity Supervision and Arrangement by JAMES RAITT Originally Produced by GENE WOLSK Directed & Choreographed by Musical Direction by Set & Lighting Design by ANDREW SAKAGUCHI MAIKA'I NASH DAWN OSHIMA Costume Design by Props Design by Hair & Make Up Design by KAREN G. WOLFE JOHN CUMMINGS III LINDA LOCKWOOD LA TANYA Production Stage Manager FA'AMAUSILI-SILIATO Sound Design by LISA KONOVE KERRI YONEDA Executive Director Artistic Director DEENA DRAY JOHN RAMPAGE Platinum Sponsors: CRUM & FORSTER FIRST HAWAIIAN BANK JOHN YOUNG FOUNDATION TOYOTA HAWAII Gold Sponsors: AMERICAN SAVINGS BANK C.S. WO & SONS CADES SCHUTTE CITY MILL HAWAII PACIFIC HEALTH FRANCES HISASHIMA MARIKO & JOE LYONS DAVID & NOREEN MULLIKEN CAROLYN BERRY WILSON WAKABAYASHI & BINGHAM FAMILIES FOREVER PLAID is presented through special arrangement with Music Th eatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied through MTI. MTIshows.com Diamond Head Th eatre • 520 Makapuu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816 Phone (808) 733-0277 • Box Offi ce (808) 733-0274 • www.diamondheadtheatre.com Photographing, videotaping, or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. Please turn o all cellular phones. Diamond Head Theatre Cast List Presents Frankie Ryan Michel Sparky Will Th omson Jinx Tyler Devere Smudge Scott Fikse Written and Originally Directed and Choreographed by STUART ROSS Musical Continuity Supervision and Arrangement by JAMES RAITT Musical Numbers Originally Produced by GENE WOLSK On February Ninth Chant: Deus Ex Plaid What Happens ree Coins In e Fountain Gotta Be is Or at Undecided Moments To Remember Crazy ‘Bout Ya Baby e Osterizer School of Harmonic eory No Not Much P e r d i a Cry Sixteen Tons/Chain Gang e Catering Drill/She Loves You e Golden Cardigan Catch A Falling Star Caribbean Plaid Heart and Soul Mercury Lady Of Spain FOREVER PLAID is presented through special arrangement with Music Th eatre International (MTI). Scotland e Brave All authorized performance materials are also supplied through MTI. MTIshows.com Shangri-La/Rags To Riches Diamond Head Th eatre • 520 Makapuu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816 Before Love Phone (808) 733-0277 • Box Offi ce (808) 733-0274 • www.diamondheadtheatre.com Photographing, videotaping, or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. Love Is A Many Splendored ing Please turn o all cellular phones. Director’s Notes As I told the cast at our fi rst rehearsal, I just love these four, adorable characters so much. Aft er endless months away, it is a lovely homecoming to be back at DHT, especially with Jinx, Frankie, Sparky, and Smudge. I fi rst played Smudge in 1997, at the Hula Hut in Waikiki, and subsequently in 2000 and 2007. In this year’s incarnation, I am so excited to introduce a new Andrew Sakaguchi cast to the stage, including two young men whose mothers I knew when we were teenagers. I guess I bring all of this up because at a time where I feel real weariness, and have experienced loss in varying degrees, to bring the Plaids back to life is a gift , as well as a statement of hope and optimism. Every moment that I spend with these boys, revisiting the fabulous music and the innocent wonder of these characters, is not only a welcome reprieve from the heaviness I’ve been feeling, but actually a reminder of so much good, a call to joyful action. Plus these boys can really sing, and -- oh my gosh -- they’re so much fun to play with! I’m grateful to be back making theater, and want to emphasize that we are only able to do this because of science: every member of the cast and creative team has been vaccinated -- and I hope you are, or will be, too. Aft er all, we would like to invite you to sing along! An important shout out: my high school dean, Mr. “Tiger” Tom Metcalf was kind enough to loan us his melodica, one he purchased in 1959 -- thank you Mr. Metcalf! Th is production is dedicated to the memory of the fi ercely passionate Maestro Donald Yap, whose incredible musicianship was a guiding force and inspiration to countless performers around the world, and on this stage; including me, from the age of eleven. Th ank you, Donald, for your generosity, your wit, your guidance, and your friendship. Welcome back to the theater -- isn’t it great to be home? Th ank you for supporting DHT! Andrew Sakaguchi The Cast TYLER DEVERE (Jinx) is so incredibly grateful to be a part of this show. Tyler’s performance credits include acting and singing in the MPSA program of Oliver!, and 13! e Musical. Tyler is also a competitive singer, competing in various competitions. He would like to thank the amazing cast and crew of this show that believed in him and his talent. “I will take the ring though I do not know the way.” - Frodo SCOTT FIKSE (Smudge) is back on a theatrical stage aft er more than a hot minute. Usually found madly waving his arms or a baton, recent music directing credits include e Wizard of Oz, e Little Mermaid, and e Cradle Will Rock. Scott directs music at Lutheran Church of Honolulu, Honolulu Chorale, and performs with Early Music Hawai'i. He expresses a big Mahalo to Marcus, his parents, and of course his talented Plaid brothers. RYAN MICHEL (Frankie) is thrilled to be in his fi rst production at DHT! Raised in Honolulu, he is a 2020 graduate of St. John’s University (Queens, NY) where he performed with Chappell Players Th eatre Group in the ensembles of Godspell and e Addams Family, as “Bernard” in Boeing Boeing, “Chip” in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and “Chad” in All Shook Up. Ryan thanks his family, friends, and girlfriend Anna for their unwavering support. WILL THOMSON (Sparky) is honored to join the cast of DHT’s production of Forever Plaid. He was last seen in DHT’s production of Mele Kalikimaka, Honolulu! PREVIOUS APPEARANCES: Kinky Boots, Something Rotten, Holiday Inn, Hello Dolly, Disney’s Newsies, Nice Work If You Can Get It, and Ragtime at DHT. A big mahalo to Andrew, Mr. John, Maika'i, and the team of Forever Plaid for this amazing opportunity. The Artisans The Artisans cont’d ANDREW SAKAGUCHI (Director/Choreographer) is always thrilled to return home to DHT. He has recently moved back to Honolulu from New York City, to teach musical theater at 'Iolani School. Most recently at DHT, he directed Kinky Boots, and he danced in Hello, Dolly! Andrew fi rst performed at this theater in 1981, as the understudy to the title character in Oliver! Th at experience was seminal to his eventual pursuit of a career in musical theater, which has now spanned more than three decades and several continents. He would like to extend his deepest gratitude to the amazingly generous supporters of DHT, especially those who have initiated the capital campaign to build a new home for future artists of this community. MAIKA'I NASH (Musical Director) Maika'i returned to Hawaii in 2017 aft er 20 years working as a vocal coach throughout Canada, Europe, and South America. He studied piano, art song, and opera at McGill University in Montréal and also studied in Vienna, Paris, and Sulmona, Italy. Maika'i held positions in Canada at McGill U., U. of Toronto, Royal Conservatory, and Javeriana U. in Bogota where he lived for 2.5 years. Maika'i works with Hawai'i’s best like HSO, MVT, DHT, IABK, HOT, and Disney. He is the founder of HI Arts Lab (HAL), Honolulu’s newest group which creates experiences combining art forms, unique venues, and food & drink. HAL performed to sold-out audiences at 8 experiences in their inaugural 19/20 season. KAREN G. WOLFE (Costume Designer) Once upon a time, there were a group of women who shared a love for costuming in the ‘basement’ of Diamond Head Th eatre. Alas, one disappeared due to pandemic budget cuts, but a few dedicated volunteers remain to bring you this delightful FOREVER PLAID musical with, of course, lots of plaid fabric!!! Enjoy!!! DAWN OSHIMA (Set Designer/Lighting Designer) works at DHT as the technical director and master stage electrician when she’s not designing lights. Some of her past works at DHT include Titanic, Amadeus, Jesus Christ Superstar, Seussical, e Full Monty, You Somebody, e Joy Luck Club, Xanadu, Catch Me If You Can, To Kill a Mockingbird, Mamma Mia, Billy Elliot, All Shook Up, Ragtime, Beehive, Matilda, and Kinky Boots. My personal thanks to all who have helped and inspired me through this creative process. I couldn’t have done it without y’all. The Artisans cont’d JOHN M CUMMINGS III (Props Designer) is a two-time Po'okela Award winner for props design on Matilda (2019) and Kinky Boots (2019) for Diamond Head Th eatre. John is proud to once again employ his very particular set of skills; skills he has acquired over a very long career! He thanks his wonderful wife Adaline for her support and his Props Mistress bestie Frances Hisashima for taking care of the “collection” in his absence! LA TANYA FA'AMAUSILI-SILIATO (Props Designer) is so grateful and excited to be back on props at DHT and shadowing Props Master John Cummings III. Th ere’s no one else she’d rather be learning from and she’s so thankful for this opportunity.