HONOLULU: Honolulu Theatre for Youth has announced their 2018-19 season, featuring five world premieres.
“From true tales of Hawaiian cowboys to a new take on the most read children’s book in the world, we are telling great stories next season,” said artistic director Eric Johnson in a statement. “Whether the popular stories of Mo Willems or the seldom heard stories of military children, each of these plays celebrates the multiplicity of experiences in Hawaii and how we connect to the world at large.”
The season will open with the world premiere of Filipino Folktales & Fables (Aug. 24-Sept. 22), by Alvin Chan and the HTY Ensemble. The production combines music, dance, design, and story to celebrate the rich cultural traditions of the Philippines.
Next up will be the world premiere of Annie Cusick Wood’s Sparkle (Oct. 13-20). Wood’s humorous story is about Lucas, who loves all things that sparkle, and the day that Isabella, who doesn’t like sparkle, comes over to play.
The following play will be the world premiere of PANIOLO Stories and Songs from the Hawaiian Cowboy (Nov. 2-Nov.17), by Moses Goods and Friends. Goods’s play is about the period in Hawaii’s history from Ikua Purdy winning the 1908 World Roping Championship to the way traditional Hawaiian values and practice integrated with Paniolo lifestyle.
The season will continue with Elephant and Piggie’s “WE ARE IN A PLAY!” (Dec. 7-Jan. 26, 2019), with script and lyrics by Mo Willems and music by Deborah Wicks La Puma. This show offers the opportunity to sing along with Elephant, Piggie, and a trio of singing squirrels in a musical romp sprung from the pages of Willems’s best-selling children’s books.
Next will be HOME of the BRAVE (Feb. 8-Feb. 23, 2019), by Lee Cataluna. Developed as a co-commission with La Jolla Playhouse, this play is a portrait of the loyalty, pride, and anxiety that comes with being part of a military family. The play is inspired by interviews with military children from all branches of service.
Following will be the world premiere of Trash & Treasure (March 2-9, 2019), by the HTY Ensemble. Music and magic pepper this interactive adventure, meant for HTY’s youngest audience, that explores the world of trash.
Rounding out the season will be The Adventures of Pinocchio (April 12-May 18, 2019), a world premiere by Nathaniel Niemi and the HTY Ensemble. This classic story of a mischievous puppet has been re-imagined with a new design and original music.
The Honolulu Theatre for Youth was founded in 1955, and provides theatre and drama education programs for young people.
