It is with deep regret that Hilo Community Players announces the cancellation of their play ‘ART’.

As many of you know, we lost one of our dearest members, Ms. Laura Andres, back in July. She was to have directed the show. A very talented and accomplished director, Mr. Ken Elliott, stepped in at the last minute and rehearsals were taken up with gusto. There was also a change in the cast at the last minute.

Life they say imitates art, but in this case ‘ART’, the play, has imitated life. Due to unhappy and unforeseen circumstances, the play cannot go on as scheduled. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause.

The honored and old cliche that “the show must go on” does not always apply. Sometimes the curtain has to come down.

ART COMES TO EHCC – “ART” the play, that is – IN SEPTEMBER

Can art come between friends?

That’s the question – and not the only question – raised in an award-winning one-act comedy called “ART,” starring three of Hilo’s veteran actors.

When Serge [Jake McPherson] buys a modern painting that’s essentially all white, Marc [Saul Rollason] is astounded, calls it “a piece of [bleep]” and wonders why his friend has spent a fortune on something so foolish.  Yvan [Steve Peyton] sees Marc’s point, but has always trusted Serge’s taste in modern art.  Things can only get worse!

Director Ken Elliott has lived in Hawai’i for four years, following a two-decade acting career in Los Angeles. He recently co-starred on the final season of the television series “Lost”, and can also be seen portraying Little RIchard on “Cold Case”. In 2009 he directed “The Laramie Project – Ten Years Later” at the Performing Arts Center at UH-Hilo, and starred in and directed the play “Tape,” at EHCC in 2008.

“ART,” by Yasmina Reza, translated (from French) by Christopher Hampton, won Broadway’s highest honor in 1998 – the Tony Award for best play – after winning the equivalent – the Olivier Award –  for its London production in 1996.

“ART” will be presented by the Hilo Community Players over the first two weekends in September, in the upstairs theater at the East Hawaii Cultural Center (EHCC), which is also Hilo’s modern art gallery!  Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday September 3, 4, 10 and 11; with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. on September 5 and 12.  All tickets are $10 (EHCC members pay $8).  The EHCC is at 141 Kalakaua St. – across from Kalakaua Park – in downtown Hilo.

For tickets, phone the EHCC Box Office at 935-9085.

Hilo Community Players has produced Shakespeare in the Park for 32 years, and we are thrilled to announce the cast list for Love’s Labour’s Lost, our 33^rd Annual Shakespeare in the Park. Congratulations to this fine cast.

FERDINAND, King of Navarre              Robert Hunt

BEROWNE,    lord attending on the King            Nick Brosseau       

LONGAVILLE, lord attending on the King            Ian Schroeder

DUMAIN,     lord attending on the King              Evan Silberstein

BOYET,   lord attending on the Princess of France            Jake McPherson

DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO, fantastical Spaniard           George Ramirez

SIR NATHANIEL, a curate      Chelley Edwards

HOLOFERNES, a schoolmaster            Carol Coggin

DULL, a constable  Catherine McPherson

COSTARD, a clown                Leslie Kelly

MOTH, page to Armado       Iris McPherson

THE PRINCESS OF FRANCE   Felix

ROSALINE, lady attending on the Princess         Bria Callaway

MARIA,    lady attending on the Princess           Justine Thompson

KATHARINE, lady attending on the Princess       Laura Caswell

JAQUENETTA, a country wench           Stephanie Becher

Many fine actors auditioned for this show, and the casting choices were difficult. The co-directors, Amy and Jake, wish to heartily thank all the people who turned out for auditions. Your presence made our job fun and anguishing. This is a big show and will take the work of many people to pull it off. If there is any work backstage you wish to contribute, please contact us through this web site.

Mahalo nui loa!

Join us on SUNDAY, and GET YOUR CAR CLEAN!

The Hilo Community Players are ready to scrub your ride, and get it sparkling clean! Support a great cause, and finally give your car the bath it deserves!

We are currently in production on “Bat Boy, the Musical,” an amazing musical theatre extravaganza! We are working hard to really showcase some amazing community talent! And we’re also working hard to raise the funds to build the set, make the costumes, and to rent the Akebono Theater for the show. PLEASE HELP! Your support of local, volunteer, community theatre is SO important!

Because of you, our Hilo community, we can continue to produce exceptional performance opportunities for the talented singers and dancers that make up our cast. Because of you.

Suggested donation is $5.
Tickets may be purchased in advance from any cast member – they make great gifts!
Buy three tickets, get one free!!
Share with your friends!
Buy one for your husband!

It’s gonna be a fun day! come and join us!

LOCATION:
Prudential Orchid Isle Properties
101 Hualalai
(between Burger King, and K’s Drive-In)

SUNDAY MARCH 28
9:00am – 1:00pm

Come play with us! And support an amazing event!

Bat Boy, the Musical

CAST LIST

Bat Boy the Musical

We are THRILLED to announce the cast of “Bat Boy, the Musical!”  Congratulations to these amazing performers!!

Edgar – Joshua Adams

Meredith – Yisa Var

Dr. Parker – Phillip Russell

Shelley – Gloria Baraquio

Sherriff Reynolds – Roch Jones

Pan – Daron Scarborough

Reverend Hightower – Clay Callaway

Mrs. Taylor – Laura Andres

Rick Taylor – Mark DeMoss

Ron Taylor – Kira Sirois

Ruthie Taylor – Cara Leonard

ENSEMBLE

(Daisy, Bud, Roy, Ned, Mayor Maggie, Lorraine, Institute Man, Doctor, etc…)

• - Jade Ellis

• - Koran Munafo

• - Jessica Dempsey

• - Laura Andres

• - Mark DeMoss

• - Cara Leonard

• - Roch Jones

Assembling this cast was a surprising challenge.  We met a lot of GREAT new talent!  There were so many strong voices, and so many strong performers.  MAHALO NUI LOA to all who tried out!  I’m so grateful to each of you for lending your support to this project.  This show is going to be an insane amount of work, and we’re going to need everyone’s help to pull it all together.  Thank you, and take pride in knowing that you’re continuing a grand tradition of Community Theatre!  Together, on stage, back stage, in the scene shop, in the box office, we make magic happen!  YOU are the Community in “Community Theatre.”

Bat Boy Audition Flyer

Auditions!

Saturday, Feb 20, 2-5pm

Wednesday, Feb 24, 6-9pm

Puueo Community Center (Clem Akina Park) on Wainaku – same place we always do auditions.

More info on the Official Bat Boy Page!

Can’t wait to see you there!!!

Two happy winners!

Congratulations to all the talented individuals who received the highly prized Tiki Award on Saturday.   We’ll post photos as they become available.

The ceremony was Emceed by the lovely Laura Andres, who shared with us some of the history behind this annual tradition.  We believe the first Tiki Awards were presented in 1992, making this the 18th Annual occurrence of the ceremony.  The party was attended by an energetic and vocal crowd of HCP members and enthusiasts.  Potluck was devoured, beverages were consumed, and much fun was had!

And the awards were given to:

Best Actor, Cabaret – Randy Raphael

Best Actress, Cabaret - Yisa Var

Twinkle-Toes Award, Cabaret - Tim Oldfather

The Missing Link Award, Cabaret – Kalani Spain

Best Actor, Taming of the Shrew – Ray Campaigna

Best Actress, Taming of the Shrew – Jessica Dempsey

Rousing Applause Award, Taming of the Shrew – Kekoa Graham

The Three Mud-keteers Award, Taming of the Shrew – The Wiley Brothers: Kekoa Graham, Catherine McPherson, Angela Nakamura

Best Poster Design – Randy Raphael

Techie of the Year – Amy Jackson

Michael DuPratt Volunteer of the Year – Vershell Rogers

Lighting Design – Joy Pollard; Cabaret

Costume Design - Joyce Stevens, Laura Caswell, Helie Rock; Taming of the Shrew

Set Design – Steve Peyton, Randy Raphael; Cabaret

Best Choreography – Roberta Brashear-Kaulfer; Cabaret

Best Director – Randy Raphael; Taming of the Shrew

Best Musical – Cabaret

Best Show – Taming of the Shrew

Congratulations to all the winners!!!  Our volunteers are directly responsible for our ongoing success, and it was a pleasure to honor and celebrate their contibutions.  If you run into one of the winners, be sure to pat them on the back for a job well done!!

Bat Boy the Musical

We are THRILLED to announce our upcoming production of the cult musical hit, “Bat Boy, the Musical.” Featuring an energetic  score by Laurence O’Keefe, “Bat Boy” tells the story of a half-bat, half-boy who was found in a cave in West Virginia.  You may have read his story in the Weekly World News.  The stage show follows his tale, from his discovery, to his education, his romance, and the revelation of his unholy origins!

“Bat Boy, the Musical” is being directed by Randy Raphael, whose credits include “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “The Tempest,” and last Summer’s “The Taming of the Shrew.”  Musical Direction is being provided by Gonzo Grogg (“Hedwig,” “Cabaret”).  If you’re interested in joining the creative team, please contact the director at wonderrandy@gmail.com.

Auditions will be held in late February, with performance at the Akebono Theater in Pahoa, starting April 29.  We’re finalizing the specifics now, so stay tuned for more details.

Love’s Labour’s Lost

Our 33^rd Annual Shakespeare in the Park!

May the Bard be with you

Take four young, noble gentlemen who swear to pursue erudition for three years, add four glorious women of France emboldened as an embassy from their king, and mix them together with various clownish figures such as a fantastical Spaniard, a mouthy page, and pompous lecturers, and you get the makings of Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost. The language is some of the grandest the Bard ever penned. The comedy refreshes the eyes and easily produces smiles. The setting is a garden, and the costumes are resplendent.

Come be part of Hilo Community Players’ 33^rd Annual Shakespeare in the Park. There are parts for eleven men and five women, and a few of those men’s parts can be cast as women, depending on the level of ability at auditions.

Speaking of auditions, set aside the first two weekends of April. That’s April 3 and 4 and then again on 10 and 11. The place will be the Pueo Community Center. The times are to be announced.

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As you can see, someone has been tinkering with the website. That would be me! 

Tinkering with the site

I’ve switched the site to a basic blog format, so we can bring you the latest HCP happenings much more quickly!  I’m also working on developing a strong, centralized archive section for the site.  We have over 70 years of history, but the pictures, and clippings aren’t available anywhere for people to see!

If you have any pictures from the Players’ past, please consider sending us copies, so we can post them here.  You can send them attached to an email to wonderrandy@gmail.com, or post a link to a photobucket or flickr page below.  We REALLY appreciate it!

I’ve still got some pages to fill, and some functionality issues to hammer out, but I really like the new layout of the site!!  If you have some ideas of things you’d like to see, just let me know!  I love input – I don’t always act on it, but I love to hear it!

Aloha, Randy