Fall theater and movement
Ever had that déjà vu feeling? In local theatre, it’s a commonplace. If a show has been done on Broadway, it’s a good chance that it will be done here. And done again here. And again. However, this fall, there are a few vuja de moments, as the late George Carlin would have it: moments in which something that just happened has never happened before. Here’s a listing of vuja de–original–works in both theater and dance.
Angels & demons
The Actor’s Group started out as theatrical innovators and continue that tradition with their upcoming “dark night” production, Dancing Between Heaven & Hell. Based on local film-maker Jeff Katts’ Soul Saviour concept, this “mini-musical” mixes theology with terpsichore, divination with dancing. The story: two young women who like to move it work as “Soul Saviours” and must rescue humankind from demonkind. Written and directed by TAG founder Eric Nemoto, with choreography by Brad Powell and music by Sherry Eatmon.
Dancing without the devil
The dance program at the University of Hawaii at Mänoa’s (UHM) reaches fruition twice a year in their student-run “Footholds” performances. The work these student performer/choreographers produce is remarkable, in part, because their main instructional space has been called the “Temporary Dance Building” for more than 25 years. This season’s Fall Footholds Dance Concert features modern dance and original choreography.
Flags of our fathers
He may not be singing the body electric, but James B. McCarthy will certainly be channeling a bit of Walt Whitman and probably Woody Guthrie as he leads kids through U.S. history with songs and tall tales in Stripes & Stars. This one-man show for Honolulu Theatre for Youth draws upon the multi-talented McCarthy’s skills as a singer, guitarist, and storyteller–all with a twinkle in his eye and, hopefully, a flag pin in his lapel.
New and notable
Two other theatrical works debut this fall: Yokaanan Kearns newest comedy, Quiptease, starts Nov. 6 at Hawaii Pacific University (375-1282) and Leeward Community College opens Reb Beau Allen’s new play Honor Amongst Thieves, a gothic morality tale, beginning Nov. 13.
Go see something vuja de this fall, local style.
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